1883 - 1983
 CENTENNIAL HISTORY
 OF
 ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

By Mrs. Adelia Helm

Part 1: 1883 to 1904

The Zion Lutheran Church of Granton began as at independent congregation in 1883 following the break with the American Lutheran Church. This resulted in the beginning of our congregation at Mapleworks, which continued its synodical affiliation with the Missouri Synod.

The charter members of-the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Mapleworks were as follows: William Gerzmehle, Charles Sternitzky, Ernest Sternitzky, Henry Sternitzky, William Schlinsog, Adolph Schlinsog, David Riedel, Sr., David Riedel, Jr., Daniel Riedel, August Riedel, Robert Riedel, Christian Moh, William Schune.

The Congregation was incorporated on May 14, 1883, according to the record. The male members belonging to the congregation assembled in the Lynn Town Hall for the purpose of incorporating themselves.

Photograph: Lynn Town Hall

They elected their trustees: William Gerzmehle, Henry Sternitzky and August Riedel. They contacted their circuit visitor Pastor Proehl, of Augusta, for the call to Mapleworks.

In a meeting, August 12, 1883, Rev. J. G. Lang, was called as Pastor. Reverend Lang accepted the call. The service was held in Evangelical Society Church located about 2 miles south and a quarter mile west of Mapleworks Corner.

November 5, 1883 - it was decided to construct a new church building at Mapleworks. 21 families belonged to the congregation.

In 1884, a parcel of land was bought from Mr. Marsh. It was located on the south side (Section 11), a short distance west of the Mapleworks Corner.

Photograph: White Frame Church

This church was a white frame building, built in 1884. 21 families were in the congregation. It was moved into the Village of Granton and for some years had been the post office. Today it stands empty.

This church was a white frame building, (22 x 32 x l4 ft. high) built by members of the congregation.

(Note) This church was built two houses west of where the new home of Rollie Dietrich is today.

A house was rented to serve as Pastor's home. A school for religious instruction for children of Confirmation age was begun at the same time.

The classes were held in the church building and included reading and writing. All classes were conducted in the German language and were taught by the pastor.

1885, Pastor Lang requested a release, because of throat illness. Pastor Proehl, of Augusta, was the vacancy pastor.

August 8, 1886, Rev. E. Denninger of Ohio, accepted our call. May, 1888, Rev. W. Knuff accepted our call.

February, 1891, Rev. Paul Toerne accepted our call to Mapleworks and was released the same year.

November 15, 1891, Reverend A.F. Imm accepted our call. Under his direction, the congregation adopted a new constitution on May 22, 1892.

The idea of an Annual Mission Festival came about the same time. 1895, Reverend Imm requested a release for reasons of ill health. He served four years.

In January, 1881, the North Western Railroad Company chose the site of Granton, (instead of Maplework) to build their railroad. Because it was located near the banks of the O'Neill Creek, the trains could secure plenty of water. This advent of the railroad caused the abandonment of Mapleworks later.

This North Western train was abandoned January 22, 1981. It served Granton 100 years (1881 - 1981).

1896, Reverend J.F.F. Gerike accepted a call to Mapleworks. Important developments:

The day school classes were expanded to include religious instruction, geography, history, grammar, music. The classes were all taught in German.

June 15, 1898, a tract of land, almost 40 acres (Sect. 1) on Mapleworks Corner, was bought. Only 10 acres was retained for the congregation and the rest was resold.

The retained portion is now the property of the Zion Lutheran Church, except for the 2 acres on the Southwest corner, which was then known as the Reichert property. These two acres were bought later. (Our present church was built on this land in 1958.)

Photograph: White Barn

This white barn was originally built for the pastor's horses and cow. It is now used as a double garage for the pastor and is located on church property.

On these 10 acres, a barn was built for Pastor's horses and a cow. Later it was used as a double garage. To the north of the barn is the grove where Mission Festival services were held later. Fourth of July Festival was also held in this grove. An acre of land to the east of the grove, was to be used as a cemetery.

Photograph: Church Cemetery

The church cemetery east of the grove has been under the care of the cemetery committee.

Pages 6 to 8 of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

1883 - 1983 Centennial Book

Return to Table of Contents

Transcribed by James W. Sternitzky PhD, 2004