Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (Matteson, Illinois) Records

The founders of Zion Lutheran Church (Matteson, Illinois) were Matteson members of Immanuel Lutheran Church (Richton Park, Illinois). Records indicate that the Lutheran School in Matteson was already 10 years old when Zion congregation was formed. Zion was formed on September 29, 1878. The first church services were held in the schoolhouse. The first pastor, Rev. Gottlieb Traub, was shared with Trinity (Crete, Illinois). In 1879, Pastor Burfeind of Immanuel served Zion as well as a congregation in Indiana. Rev. Ernst Kirchner was installed as Zion's full-time pastor on August 10, 1884. He remained as both Zion's pastor and teacher until 1890. The first church building was dedicated on November 10, 1889. Zion's next pastor-teacher was Rev. John C. L. Frese who served from 1890-1894. Rev. H. C. Friedrich Neban was pastor-teacher. The school building was moved in 1898, and a parsonage built in its place. Pastor Bursick was installed that same year, and served until 1905. Pastor Christopher Beck served Zion from 1905 until his accidental death in 1937. In 1927, the church and parsonage were put on rollers and locations exchanged so the church would be on the corner. The church was enlarged and basements placed under both buildings. A re-dedication ceremony took place on November 27, 1927. Dedication services of the new church building and dayschool took place on May 14, 1961. Zion mourned the loss of Pastor Van, who died on April 3, 1975 during his 17th year of ministry there. In 1989, Zion Lutheran school combined with Immanuel, a merger which only lasted 2 years. Pastor Myers took a call in 1992 after serving 16 years, Pastor Dennis L. Thompson accepted the call and was installed on January 17, 1993. The school was closed in June 2016, and the closing service of the congregation was held on November 5, 2017.