From the beginning...

	March 6, 1841— The Sunday School was organized by George Stumph and Carl Luebking.
	April 18, 1841—The first congregational meeting was conducted with the first minister, Pastor John George Kunz. The constitution as revised was accepted and a committee of seven was appointed to seek a site for a church building. Mr. John Heim was elected as the fourth member of the church board.
	April 1841—The name of the congregation was “The German United Evangelical Protestant Lutheran and Reformed Zion Church of Indianapolis, Indiana. Services were conducted in “the old college building”.
	January 15, 1844—The congregation was incorporated and granted a charter by the legislature of the state.
	January 21, 1844—Pastor Kunz resigned because he was against the union of the Lutheran and Reformed people. He wanted to adhere to the Lutheran doctrine. Upon his resignation, he took a number of members with him and they organized the St. Paul Lutheran Church. Through this action the congregation was so weakened that its continued existence was in doubt.
	March of 1844—Pastor F. Isensee was installed. During the trying times of the 1840’s, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, minister of the Second Presbyterian Church, as a friend and counselor spoke words of encouragement and revived within the church members the spirit of enthusiasm to stand for its purpose and its convictions.
	1845—The name the congregation adopted was “Evangelical Lutheran Reformed United Zion Congregation of Indianapolis”.
	May 18, 1845—The first church building was dedicated at Ohio and Bird [now Pierson] Streets.
	1850—Pastor Isensee resigned to assume pastorate of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hubbels Corner, Weisburg, Indiana.
	October 31, 1850—Pastor A. Rahn began his pastorate.
	June 16, 1851—Pastor Rahn resigned to organize the First Reformed Church [10th and Oakland Streets].
	September 8, 1851—Pastor Carl Riehle began his pastorate but resigned after a year to organize the First Evangelical Association Church later known as New York Street Evangelical United Brethren Church and known today as Lockerbie United Methodist [New York and East Streets].
	November 28, 1852—Pastor C. E. Zobel was elected and served one year as minister.
	1854—Pastor C. E. Kuester assumed the pastorate of the church.
	January 2, 1859—Members in their annual meeting decided that the minimum annual dues should be $4.00 [special concession to those in limited circumstances].
	August 25, 1859—Pastor Kuester resigned to organize a Presbyterian Church which later became the Second Reformed Church [Shelby and Pleasant Streets].
	October 21, 1859—Pastor Herman Quinius of the Church Society of the West [later Evangelical Synod of North America] became minister of the congregation.
	1861—The name of the congregation was changed to “United Evangelical Zion Congregation”.
	1865—A reed organ was bought for $400.00.
	April 29, 1866—The second church building was erected on the site of the first church and was dedicated April 29, 1866. Members of the Building Committee were Henry Habeney, Frederick Ruschaupt and Conrad Russe. The cost of the second building was $23,000.00. This building served as the sanctuary for forty-six [46] years.
	1867—Because of the large debt [$7,820.00] members decided to rent pews for $30.00, $25.00 or $20.00 a year.
	June 2, 1868—The first All-Church Picnic was held.
	April 27, 1873—Three large bells were secured from Bothum, Germany at a cost of $528.56.
	April 4, 1875—The congregation was received into membership of the Evangelical Synod of North America.
	January 26, 1883—Pastor Quinius passed away after serving Zion for 23 years.
	1883—The first choir was organized.
	April 8, 1883—Pastor John Christopher Peters of Creston, Iowa began his pastorate and the congregation numbered 68 families.
	June 20, 1883—The Ladies Aid Society was organized.
	October 1883—A new Barkhoff organ was purchased for $1,500.00.
	September 27, 1885—The “Sterbekasse”, a death benefit society, was founded. It was a mutual aid association to assist in case of death. The benefit was $100.00 to the family of the deceased.
	1886—Pew rental was abolished. The first “every member canvass” was conducted.
	1886—The parsonage was erected on Bird Street [now Pierson] behind the second church building.
	December 25, 1889—The first large Christmas celebration was held in Tomlinson Hall [part of City Market complex downtown].
	January 6, 1890—Alva Isensee [daughter of Pastor John Isensee and mother of Pastor F. R. Daries] became the organist.
	April 1891—The 50th Anniversary of Zion was celebrated.
	1892—Zion had 4 choirs; the Junior Choir, the Senior Choir, a male chorus and a double quartet.
	November 1892—Christian Endeavor Society was organized.
	1894—An electric motor was purchased for the organ, eliminating the task of “organ pumpers”.
	January 20, 1895—Pastor Peters organized the Protestant Deaconess Society.
	May 4, 1896—Our first move was made to sell the Ohio Street property and relocate.
	The first issue of “Die Hülfe”, a German language parish paper, was published by Pastor Peters. It was the parish paper for 23 years.
	September 1897—The interior of the second church was renovated and new seats were installed.
	1899—The Protestant Deaconess Home was erected at South and Delaware Streets. Pastor Peters served as president of the hospital for many years.
	November 1899—The first Bible class for adults was organized.
	1900—Pastor Peters, Mrs. Peters and their daughters conducted “Saturday School” [Confirmation classes].
	1908—Confirmed children under 18 years of age were recognized as Junior members of the church.
	April 11, 1911—The congregation voted to buy lots at North and New Jersey Streets for $32,000.00.
	December 7, 1911—The Brotherhood was organized.
	February 8, 1912—The Willing Workers’ Society was organized [later known as The Women’s Guild, then the Evening Guild].
	May 2, 1912—The old church at 32 W. Ohio Street was sold for $104,000.00
	May 26, 1912—The Altenheim opened on the northeast corner of Capitol Avenue and 20th Street.
	October 6, 1912—The first Junior League [youth fellowship] was organized.
	May 18, 1913—The present church building was dedicated. The cost of the church including the ground was $138,164.13; the cost of the new organ was $3,450.00.
	The memorial windows were made by Ford Brothers Glass Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota. There are three large upper windows in the sanctuary:

Ø                  “Christ the Good Shepherd” [west]

Ø                  “Christ Healing the Sick” [south]

Ø                  “Christ Blessing Little Children” [north].

May 18, 1913—There are three small windows on the south:

Ø                  “John and Mary

Ø                  “Christ on the Road to Emmaus”

Ø                  “Easter Morning”

May 18, 1913—There are three small windows on the north:

Ø                  “The Prodigal Son

Ø                  “Christ in the Home of Mary and Martha”

Ø                  “Christ Walking on the Water”

Ø                  The North Street entrance portrays “Christ Knocking at the Door”.

Ø                  The “Martin Luther” window is in the parlor.

Ø                  The bells secured from Bothum, Germany for use in the second church, were in the tower of the present building and still call the congregation to worship.

	June 1916—The Diamond Jubilee of our congregation was celebrated.
	November 4, 1919—Pastor F. R. Daries [grandson of Pastor Isensee] came to serve as associate pastor.
	December 25, 1919—Pastor Daries organized the first Christmas Sunrise Service. This tradition was continued through 1986.
	1920—The first issue of the parish English language paper call the “Zion Messenger” was published.
	January 16, 1921—Consecration services were held for our missionaries to Honduras, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Auler.
	February 15, 1921—The first Father and Son Banquet was held with more than 200 attending.
	April and May 1921—80th Anniversary services were conducted.
	June 1, 1921—Pastor Peters ended his active pastorate at Zion. He was honored as Pastor Emeritus until his death. Pastor Daries assumed the full duties.
	1921—The first Lawn Social was sponsored by Brotherhood.
	June 25, 1922—The congregation decided to purchase property north of the church for the Parish Hall.
	1925—The Deagan Memorial Tower Chimes were dedicated.
	1926—The congregation promised to give “Big Brother” aid to a mission church in Long Beach, California.
	1928—In addition to the one German service on Sunday mornings, Zion began having two [2] English services.
	May 8, 1929—The first Mother and Daughter Banquet was held with 561 mothers and daughters in attendance.
	May 18, 1930—The altar woodcarving of “The Lord’s Supper” was dedicated.
	May 17, 1931—A celebration of Zion’s 90th Anniversary was held.
	September 18, 1933—Pastor Emeritus J. C. Peters died after having been in the Christian Ministry for 55 years.
	1934—The Evangelical Synod and the Reformed Synod merged.
	1936—The Intermediate League [teenagers] was organized.
	September 29, 1940—The three-manual Kimball organ was dedicated in two services with our organist, Dale Young, playing recitals.
	1940—The sanctuary was renovated and the pulpit carving was added.
	March 30, 1941—The three-manual organ console was played in the Parish Hall for the first time.
	May 18, 1941—Our 100th Anniversary was celebrated with special services.
	May 21, 1941—Our Centennial Banquet was held in the Murat Temple.
	1950—The Evening Guild was organized.
	1954—Pastor and Mrs. Theodore Essebaggers were designated as our missionaries to India.
	February 1955—Children’s Church was held in the Junior Department each Sunday for children ages 6 to 12.
	1956-1958—A new antiphonal organ was installed.

Ø                  The sanctuary was redecorated.

Ø                  The building was refurbished

Ø                  A new stainless steel refrigerator for the kitchen was purchased.

Ø                  Three lots on New Jersey Street, north of the church, were purchased.

Ø                  The kitchen in the Parish House was moved upstairs and that room made part of the office.

	1957—A merger was approved between the Evangelical and Reformed and Congregational Christian Churches to form the United Church of Christ.
	1959—Pastor Vernon Hoecker came to Zion as Associate Pastor.
	1962—The Golden Years Group was organized by Pastor Vernon Hoecker.
	1963—A staffed crib room was initiated and a new console for the organ was purchased.
	1965—The church parking lot was extended to Walnut Street and the entire area was paved.
	1966—The new Memorial Time-Chime, playing from the tower every day, was dedicated.
	1967—New pipes were installed in the organ bringing the number of pipes to almost 5,000. Women were first elected to serve on the church board.
	1968—Zion became a part of an organization of downtown churches known as the Riley-Lockerbie Association.
	1971—The first pictorial roster of church members was published.
	1972—The All-Church Picnic was revived. Chrismons [Christian symbols] were dedicated at a tree trimming service in the sanctuary at Christmas time. Pew communion was instituted.
	1973—A ground breaking ceremony was held for the new Altenheim at Hanna Avenue and Sherman Drive. The church was incorporated as “Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ and a new constitution and by-laws were approved. Non-members were charged a weekday parking fee which provided funds for the maintenance of the parking lot.
	1974—Pastor William G. Nigh came as Associate Minister.
	1975—We celebrated our “Second Sixty” Dedication Service. Two new Church School rooms were formed in the dining room. Lower level Church School rooms were repartitioned to form New Beginners and Cradle Roll Departments. Four new Church School rooms were constructed in the balcony area of the Parish Hall. A ramp was installed at the northwest door of the Parish Hall leading to the parking lot.  The choir room was enlarged.   The parlor was renovated [new lighting, ceiling and repositioned stained glass with lighting from behind]. The first Men’s Breakfast was held. The July 4th Ice Cream Social [previously known as Lawn Social] was revived to coincide with INB fireworks.
	1976—For our July 4th Bicentennial Celebration the Mayor of Indianapolis, William H. Hudnut III, was our guest preacher. 550 people attended the Ice Cream Social that evening. A new pictorial roster was published.
	1977-1981—The following improvements were completed:

Ø                  The elevator was installed.

Ø                  The North Street entrance ramp was built.

Ø                  A fence surrounding the parking lot was added.

Ø                  Exterior trim and tuck pointing of church and parish house was done.

Ø                  New stage curtains were hung.

Ø                  New chairs in parish hall and parlor were purchased.

Ø                  New alarm and intercom system were installed.  

	January 29, 1978—Zion was the only downtown church that held services during the famous blizzard of 1978. The total of 65 people for the services was probably the lowest ever in Zion’s history. Zion also served as an additional shelter for blizzard victims rescued by the American Red Cross.
	November 18, 1979—Ted Schory was licensed at Zion as a lay minister.
	September 28, 1980—A retirement service and dinner for Pastor Vernon Hoecker was held at the Murat Temple, honoring him for 41 years in the ministry, 21 of which were at Zion. In October Pastor Howard Beer came as Associate Minister.
	1981—We celebrated our 140th Anniversary with Pastor Paul Frankenfeld, a former Zion Associate Minister, as the guest preacher.

Ø                  A new pictorial roster was published.

Ø                  The Prayer Group was formed by Pastor William Nigh.

Ø                  The first Lenten Devotional booklet was written by Zion members and issued by the Prayer Group

Ø                  The first German language Christmas worship service was held in the sanctuary.

	1982—The Bereavement Committee was formed. Its purpose was to serve families at the time of death.
	1984—Pastor William Nigh resigned and moved east.
	September 1985—The Genesis Singers had their 10th anniversary.
	November 3, 1985—Pastor Paul Scheele was installed as Senior Minister.
	February 1986—The newly renovated sanctuary was rededicated.
	November 23, 1986—Gordon Nichols was licensed as a Lay Minister.
	April 1988—A 21-passenger bus with transport facilities for the handicapped was purchased.The Care Givers program was set up to remember those who are ill or who have lost loved ones.
	October 1988—The Zion 50+ Club was started to recognize all couples celebrating or who have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. It was organized by Ted Schory.
	March 12, 1989—Pastor William Jenks was installed as Minister of Youth and Young Adults.
	June 1989—Jonathan Block began his position as assistant organist and became Director of Music in January of 1991.
	September 1989—Pastor Paul Scheele left Zion to serve a UCC church in Bradenton, Florida.
	September 21, 1989—Pastor Beer and Pastor Jenks were asked to serve as co-pastors. Ted Schory became Director of Christian Education & Senior Programs.
	October 1, 1990—Pastor Howard Beer became Minister of Visitation and retired March 31, 1991.
	October 28, 1990—On Reformation Sunday the official celebration of Zion’s 150th anniversary began. Heritage moments were set for November through May with and Historical Pageant presented on April 14.
	December 23, 1990—Director of Music, Dr. Mallory Bransford, retired after serving 43 years as organist and choir director at Zion.
	May 19, 1991—This Sunday marked the climax of Zion’s 150th anniversary celebration with a processional, and a single worship service at which Pastor William Nigh was the guest preacher. It concluded with a congregational dinner at the Murat.
	July 14, 1991—Installation Services for Pastor William E Jenks, Senior Pastor, and W. William Crawford, Associate Pastor, were held.
	1997—The red and blue "We are the World" stage curtains were hung in the Parish Hall. Pastor James Clark came to Zion as Senior Pastor. Zion began using name badges with greeters and ushers, and then the congregational members.
	1998 —The large (150" x 240") stained glass windows on the west and north 2nd story sanctuary walls were restored, along with the three chapel windows. Zion participated in the "Celebration of Hope" in addition to adding an early worship service. An Organ Task Force was developed to properly study and evaluate the overall condition of Zion's pipe organ.
	1999—The many stained glass windows in the two front towers and windows in the rest rooms were restored. The choir loft was remodeled while the organ was being restored by Reynolds and Associates. Robert McCann was called to Zion to be Assistant to the Pastor during the summer months. In October, Pastor Craig Amlin came to Zion to be the Associate Pastor. The organ was rededicated with a concert featuring Michael Murray.
	2000—The Parish Nurse Ministry began. Formation of East North Street Drama and the First Annual Young Playwright's Festival. Zion supported the Honduras Mission Team. The Organ Historical Society presented Zion Evangelical with honors for preserving the original "voice" or tone of the organ built in 1933. Zion held its first contemporary worship service on Wednesday night.
	2001—"Reflections", a contemporary worship service began on Saturday evenings at 6:30 PM. The sanctuary Yamaha Grand Piano was dedicated. Zion had a Family Recreation Sunday of the last Sunday of each month. The congregation celebrated the 160th Anniversary of Zion Evangelical.
	2002—Southeast Association of Christ Volleyball League began playing in the Parish Hall Gym. Master woodworker, Ron Koch, refurbished the carvings of DaVinci's Last Supper and the five wood figurines around the pulpit depicting the  writers of the Gospels and Jesus. Zion supported Heifer International with a Task Force comprised on a group of very creative people. In October, Ted Schory retired from his work at Zion Church.
	2003—In June, Pastor James Clark retired from his position as Senior Pastor. Pastor Labert Altemose came to Zion as the Interim Senior Pastor.
	2005—In March, Associate Pastor Craig Amlin left the ministry at Zion. In September, Zion presented the 1st Annual NOIZFEST in an attempt to attract people from the neighborhood.
	2006—Pastor Patrick Larracey replaced Pastor Altemose as the Interim Pastor. In June, Pastor Jonathan Basile became the new Senior Pastor.
	2007—The Indianapolis Senior Citizens' Center used the Zion Evangelical building as a temporary location for their weekday activities while their building underwent a major renovation. Pictures were take for a new church directory.