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Zion Lutheran Church Centennial History "For everything there is a season." That time has now arrived as we prepare to observe the 100 years of Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Zion Lutheran Church of Ruthven, Iowa. (1886-1986) The Zion Lutheran Church of Ruthven, Iowa had its "grass roots" among the Scandinavian people who settled in the Lost Island, Highland and Walnut townships of Palo Alto County, and area east of Trumbull Lake in Clay County. These settlements existed before the town of Ruthven was established. We dedicate this history to the hardy pioneer men and women and faithful pastors who brought God's saving grace to our beloved congregation. May this faith continue until the end of the world. There was much anxiety for the pioneers on the prairies. Living in crude sod and log cabins, they had to contend with fires, blizzards, mud trails and the grasshopper plaque of the late 1870's. Markets were few and money scarce. Depending on neighbors during a crisis, they cared and shared with one another, which gave rise to their need for spiritual help. The language barrier often prevented them from communication with English speaking people. With the coming of the railroads in 1878 and 1882, the population increased greatly. A depot was built, and the town named Ruthven. Lots were plotted for homes, stores, hotels and churches. The first imposing structure to be built was Skevington Hall, situated east of the present Methodist Church. Catholics, Lutherans and Methodists held their first weekly worship here. Itinerant pastors from Emmet County would render assistance with baptisms, marriages and burials. In 1884, a seminarian student, Lars O. Wigdahl, delivered sermons in Skevington Hall. His first Christmas sermon was taken from St. Luke 2:1-14: "Have We Room for the Lord?" There were fifteen people present. With the completion of the Methodist Church in 1884, the Lutherans paid the $1.00 a month to use their church. After church services on April 22, 1886, an organizational meeting for a new church was held. Student L.O. Wigdahl was elected chairman, with the following officers: Secretary, L.H. Sporan; Treasurer, O.S. Olson; Trustees - Lars Bargstrom, Peter Olson and Ole Williamson; Church Warden, John Johnson; Klokker or presenter, O.C. Gaard; Deacons - Berthel Garo, Engel Nelson and L.H. Sporan. At a meeting called September 10, 1886, the following name was adopted: The Norwegian, Danish, Swedish Zion Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. The present name Zion Lutheran Church was adopted in 1937. During this first year, there were five baptisms. The first confirmation class in 1887 had five members. The first marriage was George and Annie (Sandvig) Amdahl. After careful consideration and prayer, a contract was awarded to Peter Sather, in September 1891, to construct the first new church for the sum of $2, 089.00. The membership roll had reached 175. Several years later, money was raised for the bell to be installed. By the use of ropes, they managed to raise the bell into the tall steeple. The sound of the bell could be heard for miles, and it rang twice for the Sunday School children to reach the church on time. It went with the church to Webb, Iowa, where it still summons people to worship. Instruction in God's Word made the Sunday School of great importance. In 1914 it became necessary to construct a basement under the church for the sum of $2,000.00. The first English language confirmation class was comprised of one adult, and seventeen boys and five girls, and occurred on May 14, 1916. Most of them were German, Swedish and mixed nationalities. In May 1960, bids were taken for a new church, with the low bid of $125,000.00 being accepted. The old church was moved to Webb, Iowa and became the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, with the original bell in its steeple. The new church was dedicated on the 75th anniversary of Zion Lutheran Church, September 17, 1961. In April 1982, a firm in Pennsylvania, drew up a contract for a bell tower. The bronze bell was cast in Holland with its base inscribed "IN HONOR OF THE LORD AND ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH, RUTHVEN, IOWA, 1982." At the top are The Four Evangelists, molded into the bell. An electromagnetic clapper sounds the bell. The tower is 55 feet high, and weighs 5500 pounds. The total cost of the project was $27,313.86. Dedication of the bell tower took place during the regular morning service on September 26, 1982. The ministry of Zion and Lost Island Lutheran Churches was united in 1972. We wish to extend a warm "Thank You" to all who have served within the Lord's church. For your labors of love, you have been a blessing to our congregation. Our Savior stated "What you have done unto the least of these, you have done it unto me." Our heritage could not have happened without the blessing of our gracious Triune God. Let us give God alone the glory! He has richly blessed our congregation for 100 years without any merit in us, but only in His divine goodness and mercy. Our beloved pastors have been God's chosen shepherds of the flock. We are on the threshold of another century to carry on the message of Jesus Christ to the world. "The Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion." Psalm 134:3 |
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