History
Ever since the first four parishioners gathered in 1930, Zion Lutheran Church has been living out God’s message of love and hope found in the Bible.
Zion Lutheran Church has a long history, beginning in 1930 when Student R. Borth arrived in Oconto. He came to serve a small group of Missouri Synod Lutherans in the area and determine the feasibility of organizing a permanent congregation. On Nov. 30, 1930, four believers attended the first worship service that Borth organized. The following Sunday, the number of worshippers grew to 23. The small congregation met in the Danish Hall, the church where the Seventh Day Adventists now meet.
The congregation was officially organized on March 19, 1931, as an Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Missouri Synod. The small congregation chose the name Zion Lutheran Church of Oconto, Wisconsin. Walter M. Kauth was the temporary chairman, and Phillip Hoffman was the temporary secretary. Following an election, Adolph Zielke became chairman; W. W. Kauth, secretary; and Carl Drews, treasurer.
The congregation met on May 17, 1931, to discuss the construction of a church. Zion Lutheran purchased the Hatchett lots on Madison Street for a building site and borrowed $5,000 from the Synod. They laid the church’s cornerstone on Aug. 30, 1931, and the church was completed on Oct. 18, 1931. Pastor G. W. Zuberbier was installed as the first permanent pastor. Over the years, many other pastors have faithfully proclaimed Christ and administered the Sacraments at Zion Lutheran Church.
In 1962, the Congregation voted to build a new church, with financing from fundraising efforts and a loan from the North Wisconsin District. A pledge drive raised $9,334 from 35 families for construction costs. An architect presented a preliminary sketch in 1963, but the District Board rejected the $110,000 plan as too costly. Revised plans lowered the cost to $75,000.
In 1965, the congregation voted to purchase 7.5 acres on North Superior Avenue for $3,500 as the location of the new church. The Building Committee accepted the architect’s revised design in February 1966, and a cornerstone-laying ceremony took place on May 28, 1966. A dedication ceremony was held Sept. 17, 1967.
Today: Joyfully Living the Lutheran Faith
From its humble beginnings, Zion Lutheran Congregation of Oconto, Wisconsin, has seen God’s grace. The Lord has generously answered the prayers of the congregation throughout its history, supplying the congregation with faithful pastors, strong believers, and a beautiful church facility. As a community of believers since 1930, Zion Lutheran continues to joyfully live the faith and share the Gospel message of salvation.
