Thanks
to Wally and Shirley Mohr for making Zion’s history come alive! See our
monthly display in the Gathering Area.
Part
I
In the early 1800s many German immigrants settled in the Tinley Park area (called New Bremen). The Prussian king had crushed a revolution in 1848, and political oppression forced many people off their land.
In the 1850s the railroad came to this area providing employment during its construction and transportation to the area. In 1854 the Rock Island Railroad established a stop in New Bremen and Samuel Tinley became station master. After the Civil War, the area began to grow again. These early settlers had to travel long distances to have their spiritual needs met. In 1873 they began holding services in New Bremen, which ultimately led to the official establishment of Zion Lutheran Church on September 9, 1881.
In the late 1800s, settlers were attracted to the many opportunities in the area. Lutherans in this area traveled 8 miles to church in Bachelor’s Grove. They also met in homes and began plans for what would become Zion. In 1871, an old building was purchased from a church in Blue Island, dismantled and re-assembled in the “Market Place” in New Bremen (the current site of Old Zion Landmark). In 1884, a new building (Old Zion) was built at that site, and the former structure was moved to serve as an educational building (a pretty solid structure!).
The original building (from Blue Island) was moved several times until 1924, when it was moved to its current location on 174th Street, where it is used as a private residence. Many services took place in those early years, and the congregation was formally organized on September 4, 1881, when the constitution was signed.
From 1874 to 1879, Zion was considered a “branch church” and was served by neighboring pastors of the Missouri Synod. Because of constant dissention among the pastors serving them and the “predestination controversy,” Zion determined to become a self-sustaining church and joined a different branch of the Lutheran Church. Our first pastor, A.H. Wetzel, served less than a year. A shortage of pastors existed at that time, so Zion turned to two seminary professors, Sigmund and Gottfried Fritschel, to see if a seminarian might be available to become our new pastor.
Before Pastor Wetzel even left, a call was extended to a senior seminarian, A.C. Krebs. Pastor Krebs served Zion with great faithfulness and diligence; he began to attract new members. Soon the little church was regularly overflowing. By the end of 1883, the congregation was resolved to build a new church building and had received over $2,000 in pledges to do so.
In January of 1884, Zion decided to build a new house of worship, a 30- by 44-foot main structure with an addition to accommodate the chancel area. A piece of land was purchased from Mr. H. Vogt, and a contract was drawn to build the church for $2,737.50. A bell was purchased for $300 (this is the same bell we still hear at the beginning of each worship service). The church was dedicated on Reformation Sunday, 1884. This is “Old Zion,” which has been designated as a historical landmark and still serves as the Tinley Park Historical Society.
During the early years, offerings were taken each Sunday with a “klingbeutel,” a money bag fastened to a long pole (to reach down the pew) with a tassel on the bottom. During this time Pastor A.C. Krebs served Zion. Following the birth of his first child, his salary was raised from $300 to $350 per year. In 1889, since a debt of $700 remained on the church building, every member was required to sign a note promising to pay a fee that was based on ability to pay. Because one member was unable to pay his fee of $55, he offered 1 1/2 acres of land, which was used to enlarge Zion’s cemetery.
On January 12, 1892, Zion was incorporated as “The Evangelical Lutheran Zion’s Congregation.” In June of that same year, the village of New Bremen was incorporated as “Tinley Park.” The roots of both are often intertwined, and many of the village leaders were also active members of Zion.
The two progressed together throughout the years. In 1893, the city developed a problem. A new calaboose (jail) was built, and the constable (police chief) was given 25¢ to keep “offenders” in the calaboose overnight. During that first year, it cost the village $15.25 to incarcerate a total of 61 people (hardened criminals?).
In 1894, Pastor Krebs accepted a call to Schumway, Illinois. He had been called by the same congregation in 1889, but Zion refused to release him. With this second call, they knew that they had to let him go. Pastor Krebs had completed 12 years of outstanding service and set a strong course for Zion’s future—our legacy leads to new life!
On January 14, 1894, Zion sent a call to Pastor Alvin Biedermann. After a few warm words, it was decided to send the call without going through the process of a trial sermon. He served the congregation until 1899.
During this period, Tinley Park continued to grow. The first water tower was built for $3,000. Tinley Park hired its first lamplighter. Street gas lights were placed at various locations throughout the village, including by Zion Church. Tinley Park had its first public telephone installed at J.C. Funk’s store.
Pastor Ernest Lehmann served the congregation from 1900 to 1902. During his pastorate at Zion, there were many days of unrest for both the pastor and the congregation.
On August 24, 1902, Pastor Albert Buddenhagen from Pittsville Wisconsin, delivered a great sermon in Zion Church. Immediately after the service, the Congregation held a meeting and issued a call to Pastor Buddenhagen. No one could realize then that he would successfully serve for 48 years.
In 1905 times were good, and the mortgage on the Church was paid off. It was a great day for Zion. However, other debts amounting to $300 at 4% interest remained. Just think-- they were deeply concerned about paying the staggering interest rate of $12 per year!
Zion celebrated its 25th Anniversary (actually the signing of their first constitution) in 1906. Pastor Buddgenhagen delivered a celebration sermon covering Zion's history and growth from 1872 to 1906. The actual beginning of the Church was in a smaller building that is still standing and being used today. It was Zion's first church building from 1872 to 1884, when Zion's second building was dedicated.
In 1912, colored windows were purchased and donated by the Ladies Aid. Two windows were installed on the north end of the church, on each side of the entrance, for a cost of $23. The window in the tower was purchased by the congregation for $12.85.
In 1913, electric lights were installed in the parsonage from cellar to attic. Also in 1913,after much prodding by the District and Synod leaders, the congregation decided to hold one English service a month. The first English service was held on August 31.
In 1914, the public school system was growing and taking over secular education of the children and leaving religious education to the church. However, Zion required children preparing for confirmation to attend church school after public school from 4 to 5:30 pm during the fall and winter and 9am to noon during summer vacation.
In 1917, the United States entered the World War I conflict. Many families of Zion still had relatives in Germany. Even so, Zion’s sons, without hesitation, went to serve their country. In 1919, the war was over and times were prosperous. The congregation raised Pastor Buddenhagen’s salary to $1,080 per year.
1919 to 1929 was a time of growth for the village and Zion. However, in October of 1929, the New York Stock Market crash triggered the great depression. Zion and Tinley Park would soon feel devastating effects of this event but would survive with faith in God and sound guidance from our leaders.
An Article Written by Ryan W. (age 13 at writing)
The first 33 years of Zion’s history are about Zion’s formation. The
church began October15, 1881 with 14 members in the congregation. At this
time this group of Lutherans met in a small building on West 174 Street, Tinley
Park. Early financial records are all that are documented from this time
period. The second church was built in 1884 at 6727 West 174 Street.
The white frame church is small and is “crowned with a graceful spire”(Zion
Lutheran Handbook and Directory 1
). The cornerstone was laid in May and the dedication service was held in
October. From the beginning of the church, all of the services were spoken
in German. The first service spoken in English took place on August 31,
1913. Soon after the first English service, due to WW I, German was
forbidden to be spoken in public assembly and declared illegal.
The next 40 years took place from 1912 to 1955. Until 1912 the windows
of “Old Zion” were merely plain, simple, ordinary, clear glass. In
that year the Ladies Aid Society donated two stain glass windows for the front
of the church. Then congregation contributed funds, and bought the windows
above the entrance and in the belfry. In 1937 the church was remodeled to
be more “then-stylish”(Charles Stanley). The walls and the ceiling
were covered with embossed metal paneling. The church also bought electric
lights. “After WW II rapid growth took place in the Community and
Church.”(Today We Build Tomorrow’s World 3) This caused a new church
to be built. The church is built at 17100 S. 69 Avenue.
The next 27 years took place from1956 and 1971. Eventually, the church’s Sunday School became so large that the church needed to make more room. On October 1, 1962, Zion voted to build an addition on to the church. This addition would contain 29 new rooms for teaching and 4 new wash rooms. The church had never had a chapel until 1970. When the chapel was built it was used for small weddings, baptisms, and a meeting place for the pastors. In the Chapel is a beautiful picture of Jesus, hand painted by Janet Rohr. “Now the chapel is rarely used, except for bible studies…”(Tammy Henning interview). Also in 1970 the very first Secretary of the church was hired. The first secretary of Zion was Alice Moehle. Until that time, the pastor had done the job of the secretary.