Zion Lutheran Church History
First Hundred Years
Zion Lutheran Church March 2003.
A Year Book
Stained Glass Windows Become
Part of Zion Lutheran Church
1985
Silverhill community changes were occurring as it rediscovered its roots. The LCW became involved
with Heritage Day, the successor to the Heritage Festival. There were new community needs.
Linens and related items were supplied to the Silverhill Group Home for Girls by the LCW. And
1985 was the year that Zion Lutheran Church got its telephone.257
As noted above, 1984-1985 was the academic year in which Sunday School ceased. In 1985, Zion's
first stained glass window, Luther's Seal, which is mounted over the altar, was crafted by Lee
Nitteberg, son of Robert and Eleanor Nitteberg. Eleanor, Rita Cornell, and another "red-headed"
woman258 from Gulf Shores drove to California to bring the window back in Ernie Burnett's pick-up
which had a camper shell on the back. This is also the year that the church kitchen got its first microwave
oven.259
Here's a more detailed history of the stained glass windows gleaned by Darlene Tasso in a number
of interviews with Robert Nitteberg. The stained glass windows were designed by Mr. Lee
Nitteberg, the middle son of members Robert and Eleanor Nitteberg. They were donated in 1985.
Lee fabricated the windows at his home in San Diego, CA, where he created stained glass art as a
hobby. Robert and Eleanor sent the design and measurements for the first window to Lee who
completed the “Luther's Seal” located on the north wall above the altar. Eleanor borrowed Ernie
Burnett’s pick-up truck and drove to San Diego with her friend Rita Cornell to transport it to Silverhill.
Upon their return, the Nittebergs took the window to a glass shop in Robertsdale, where it was fitted
with a quarter-inch protective plate glass before Robert and son Charlie would install it. The
congregation was so pleased with the first window that it commissioned Lee for the remaining five
windows.260
West Wall
|
North Wall, Over Altar
|
East Wall
|
Several people have wondered about the origin of the window designs. We know that at this point
Eleanor, Charles Jolliff and others went back to work on the designs which were sent to Lee. He
completed the five remaining windows. Eleanor made another trip to San Diego, this time flying out with
son Charlie, his daughter Jennifer, a sixth grader at the time, and friend Roger Utter, son of Zion
members Ralph and Neysa Utter. They rented a U-Haul for the return trip and drove back to Silverhill
with the five new windows. Robert and Eleanor loaded the windows onto his pick-up, took them to the
glass shop in Robertsdale, and had protective covering added to the glass.261
South Wall, West Side
|
South Wall, Middle
|
South Wall, East Side
|
With a scaffold borrowed from Roger Utter, Robert and son Charlie would install this first window and
the rest of the five new windows, completing the stained glass windows set by 1987. They were all
framed in Honduras mahogany by Lee Nitteberg. The windows remain a focal point for the Zion sanctuary
of historic Zion Lutheran Church.262
Back to other events of 1985. The notes for the Annual Meeting of 1985 revealed the results of the
Synod covenant discussion. Zion Lutheran Church committed to support Lutheran Immigration
Services in Atlanta, GA. The church was looking at extra-Synod cooperation. Pastor Jolliff advocated
weekly communion and interchange with St. John's Episcopal Church in Robertsdale. Remember the
business relating to "associate members"? There was a motion to allow associate members to vote in
1985. The Jolliff and Mateja contracts were extended another year.263
More paint? Maybe not. Vinyl siding was investigated for the church for the first time and ultimately the
church would be clad in vinyl for a total of $11,560. But there were many meetings regarding financing and
funding of the enterprise. Siding would ultimately be installed by Bay Siding. The church negotiated a loan
for $8,000 and took $3,000 from its savings account to fund the project. At the same time the church's
conventional windows would be rebuilt by Mr. Kimbrell, a family friend of Charlotte Zander. It was at
the April Council meeting that there was a decision made to create space for the round stained glass
window over altar. Bishop Troutman sent another questionnaire to the church related to the Synod
covenant prior to the visit of a Synod consultant in October.264
In 1985 the church discovered that its Mission Statement from July of 1974 could not be found and that
the Council needed to do another, addressing issues of support and nourishment of the fellowship of the
family of God, the place of worship and fellowship for the broader community, and the use of Sunday
School to attract younger members, serve the community, and welcome new comers to the community.
There was concern that the community needed to become aware of Zion Lutheran Church and that it reach
out to other denominations for relationships. A joint Council meeting with St. John's Episcopal Church in
Robertsdale was sought to inquire how the two churches might combine Sunday School, deal with followup
with prospective members, and recruit new-comers to community. The congregation would take an
evangelism survey in December.265
1986
By the Annual Meeting of 1986 the new church siding was completed and the windows were done.
Refurbishment included the addition of kitchen cabinets. The first stained glass window, completed and
donated by Robert Lee Nitteberg and family, was dedicated February 1, 1986. Older members Elvira
Armstrong and Hilda Olsen passed away in 1985. The Synod was now receiving 20% of Zion's
budget. Services were moved to 10:00. The congregation liked the stained glass and voted on symbols
for more new stained glass windows. Pastor Jolliff still lobbied for communion each Sunday, but his
proposal was again defeated. The Church Council for the year consisted of Mr. Lawrence Moseley--
President, Mr. Victor Kubina--Treasurer, Mrs. Henri Etta Burnett--Secretary, Mr. Ernest Burnett--
Council Member, Ms. Latricia Hauge--Council Member, and Mrs. Shirley Mateja--Council
Member. Latricia Hauge and Eleanor Nitteberg served as delegates to the SE Synod.266
The need for outreach was a latent concern through much of Zion's history. 1986 was no exception, the
Annual Meeting revealing a need for more personal contacts of prospective members and visitors and
development of Sunday School and maybe a choir. Insurance needs and organ service were noted at
the Annual Meeting. The insurance update brought insured values of the building to $70,000, the church
property to $10,000, employee malfeasance to $5000, and liability to $300,000. Mrs. Eleanor Nitteberg
was asked to head up an Evangelism Committee connected with the Mission Campaign funding
program in April. A formal Stained Glass Window Fund was inaugurated. The Peacocks advised the
congregation in June that they would be leaving for internship. Shirley Mateja was typing the bulletin in
mid-year, and Pastor Jolliff was taking the bulletin to Christ's Episcopal to be run off.267
At the July Council meeting several new members were accepted, Mr. and Mrs. Williams and son
Kerry, Mrs. Fryell, and Harold and Clarene Wells. Council member Ernest Burnett urged evangelism
efforts to grow the church at that same meeting. A sanctuary light in honor of Phillip Meyer (Martha
Jolliff's brother) was placed by the Jolliff and Meyer families. By mid-September, donations of $210
had been received for new stained glass windows. The dollars were sent to Lee Nitteberg for purchase
of materials.268
A couple trivia events occurred in 1986: Beth Ryker and Thomas Pigg were married at Zion on
September 20 by Beth's father. A Fish Fry was scheduled for Silverhill Heritage Day with Wolf Bay
Lodge loaning tables for the event. The church received authorization to run gas and electricity lines to the
garage which would simplify Fish Fry events in the future. Ernest Burnett would again advocate setting up
a men's group. Average church attendance for 1986 was at about 30 people. Two deaths were noted:
Fred Hallberg and Martha Jolliff. Attendance at Sunday School was 17. In 1987, the church would
investigate needs for more Sunday School space.269
Memories and years fade as to specifics. The artist and travel crew for bringing the stained glass
windows is well known, but what was started in 1985 may not have arrived safely in Silverhill till 1986.270
We do know that there was a focus on updating the church, for the LCW lobbied for a new kitchen door
which was obtained. That microwave found its home in that kitchen. The LCW sewing ministry
continued with linens and related items being supplied to Phoebe Hospital. The LCW repaired a sewing
machine that year. Concern for sanctuary beautification resulted in the establishment of the Altar Flower
Fund. The congregation initiated work on signage on highway 104.271
As has been noted, the Jolliff family donated a number of items over the years to Zion Lutheran
Church. When Martha Jolliff passed away in the mid-1980s, the Crusader Cross used in processionals
was donated in her memory in 1986.272
1987
Kitchen cabinets were installed. Seminarian Bill Peacock from Mobile, supported in part by Zion for
the past several years, was formally recognized and ordained at Zion Lutheran Church. Zion had paid his
rent during seminary. Bill was married with several children, his wife Gretchen being Pastor Carl Almer's
daughter. Their original church home had been St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Mobile which was now
defunct in 1987.273 Pastor Almer had been pastor at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Mobile just prior to
Pastor Clarence Daniels. It was Pastor Daniels who had served Zion as a pulpit supply pastor and
who had first introduced Charles Jolliff as his organist to the Zion Lutheran Church congregation. When
that St. Peter's closed its doors in the late 1980s, the sanctuary candle now hanging in the chancel of
Zion Lutheran Church, was donated in memory of Pastor Almer because of the Peacock connection
with the Silverhill church. It is estimated that sanctuary candle has been in continuous use since the early
1950s.274
In 1987 the Annual Meeting minutes reveal that Zion had written a petition letter to Bishop Troutman to
ordain Pastor Jolliff under special provision. Historically, this was the year just before the merger of the
Lutheran Church in America into the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Church Council
members included Mr. Harold Wells, Mr. Oscar Hauge, Mrs. Henri Etta Burnett, Mr. Ernest Burnett,
Ms. Latricia Hauge, and Mrs. Eleanor Nitteberg. Victor Kubina functioned as Treasurer. Meeting
minutes revealed that Zion received that sanctuary candle in March. That sanctuary candle from St.
Peter’s and connected with the Almer ministry was formally given to Zion by Amanda Almer in specific
memory of her husband Pastor Carl Almer who had provided pastoral services to Zion in the past.275
Cross-cultural evangelism seminars were being held in Atlanta, Savannah, and Nashville with each
congregation having its pastor and four lay people invited to each event. Two delegates were invited to the
constituting convention of the SE Synod of the ELCA in June in Atlanta. Delegates and alternates for the
constituting convention of SE Synod were Henri and Ernie Burnett; Charlotte Zander; Eleanor
Nitteberg, and Harold Wells. Another letter was directed to Bishop Gerald S. Troutman requesting
ordination of Pastor Jolliff under special provision. The Bishop advised that his aid, William Waddell,
Chair of the Examining Committee, would take up the ordination question.276
Not everything was focused on national ELCA events. Fill dirt was needed for the church yard. Garage
repair and renovation was again being discussed. A new exit was installed in the church, but it was slippery
when wet. The congregation became concerned with signage for the emerging Gulf Shores ministry. By
May there is agreement that signs will be constructed by Robert Nitteberg. The new vinyl siding does
have up-keep needs and the church arranges to wash the siding. A plaque to honor long-time church
Treasurer Victor Kubina was discussed in May. A congregational meeting decided to modify the garage
by redoing the roof, adding slab space, and doing an extension. Roger Utter would pour the slab for the
garage later in the year. Roger Utter, Ralph Utter, Edward Norman, and Oscar Hauge would all play a
part in that garage renovation. And a pig roast was part of the festivities for ordination service of Pastor
Bill Peacock on May 26.277
Members of Zion have been accustomed to seeing a concrete table in the church yard. It was 1987 when
that concrete table and benches were purchased to cover the church's septic tank to keep cars off the
tank. It has since been moved north adjacent to the new Fellowship Hall added in the early 2000s. It was
paid for with Sunday School offerings. In mid-1987 the church used Fish Fry proceeds to assist Becky
Utter Childress with her kidney transplant costs. Marilyn Williams received church permission to allow a
support group for the mentally ill to meet at Zion. Pastor Danielle D'Aunay served this year as guest
pastor in Pastor Jolliff's absence.278
Pastor Jolliff noted in his interview concerning pastoral pulpit supply that "Zion Lutheran Church was
LCA and then ELCA in terms of affiliation. It had no relationship with Missouri Synod churches because the
two church groups never had agreement on anything." That is, pastoral supply came from within the ranks of
the LCA and then the ELCA.279
Eleanor Nitteberg was busy in June checking on plane fare to California to pick up the rest of the stained
glass windows. She wanted to rent a U-Haul truck to bring them back. Would you believe finance
problems? Zion Church was spending more than it was taking in. A hold on spending takes place, the
garage renovation being placed on hold. And now Pastor D'Aunay requested Zion to loan funds to buy
a car. Problems! In July Zion agreed to pay half of Pastor D'Aunay's car repair bill and the LCW the other
half of $100.280
More problems! Shirley Mateja resigned as organist about this time and the church could not find an
organist replacement. A Zion men's group was functional at this time and was studying the liturgy to help
with services when Pastor Jolliff would be gone. More positive, Zion would have a float in Heritage
Day events in Silverhill. The Fish Fry this year involved Ralph Utter cleaning fish, Marie taking care of the
outside Coke machine, and Henri Burnett doing blood pressure checks.281
Zion honored outgoing Bishop Troutman and two assistants, Dr. Thompson and Pastor Sillik with a
$100 gift. The Cub Scouts were given use of the renovated garage on Monday afternoons. Nanette
Henderson requested that her Girl Scout troop be allowed to meet at church and access was given for this
activity. Charlotte Zander and Mildred Havel served as delegates to the Alabama Conference. Victor
Kubina was honored at the November 8 service with a congregational dinner after.282
On November 20 Eleanor Nitteberg left for California to pick up the stained glass--airfare was picked up
by the LCW and the church ($750 each). Bishop Troutman would come on December 9 to dedicate
those stained glass windows and the Sunday School would provide a roast pig for the event.283
Synod benevolence was at a 21% level. Ms. Clara Weiss and Bill and Alice Seymour were added to
the membership in December. In 1987 Pastor Jolliff began attending the South Central Baldwin
Ministerial Association. By mid-December the church would donate $50 per month and LCW $25 per
month to the South Central Baldwin Ministerial Association fund and would make donations to the
Covenant Church food shelf. One Sunday a month was set aside as Food Shelf Sunday. Paula
Rockwell became organist.284
Pastor Jolliff remembered in 2004 that, Zion had a relationship with Second Harvest or a similar program
using a gleaning concept program in the late 1980s. Basically Zion did food packets for eight months or so.
"Eventually the Methodists took over the project. The project was very labor intensive and taxing on those
involved for those eight months."285
1988
The Pastor D'Aunay' from the Board of American Missions met with Zion in 1988. This is the year that
Zion Lutheran Church received its grand piano donated by the Pastor Clarence Daniels Family.286
Zion Lutheran Church was well known for its fish fries during Heritage Day in Silverhill. It was Eleanor
Nitteberg who spearheaded those annual events with both a Fish Fry and a bake sale during Heritage
Day. The first year for these Heritage Day festivities was 1988, but they would continue annually until 1998.
Eleanor would come the day before to set up and begin to cook the baked beans. Son Charles
Nitteberg and husband Robert Nitteberg would set up tents and picnic tables outside.287
Zion Lutheran Church formally affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA),
successor to the Lutheran Church in America (LCA), its home since the early 1960s.288
The LCW, still sewing, repaired another sewing machine.289
The Annual Meeting of 1988 recorded the passing of Pastor Clarence Daniels in 1987 and noted that
the processional cross used in the Peacock ordination was given in honor of Martha Jolliff by the
Peacock children. The concrete slab for the garage-Sunday School was completed by the January
meeting. Pastor Jolliff reported that he would not pursue ordination because of personal family
business. Mrs. Clarence Daniels had donated the Daniels' baby grand piano in 1987 and it was formally
acquired in 1988. The church set up a Constitution Committee to study a new ELCA congregational
constitution. Pastor Jolliff's contract was to continue another year.290
In his Annual Report Pastor Jolliff noted that William Peacock's ordination was the first in the Gulf
Coast area in the LCA. The LCA would soon be history at the time of ordination, essentially making it the
only ordination in the area that Zion is aware of. Pastor Jolliff felt that Sunday School attempts were
moderately successful, and that the men's group with attendance at three to five was meeting regularly. He
noted that the new windows were completed by Lee Nitteberg and installed by Charles and Robert
Nitteberg. Procurement had come through donations and gifts of members and friends of the congregation.
Communion vessels, a memorial to Philip Meyer, and a processional cross made by members of
Haven Lutheran Church of Salisburg, NC, and given by the Peacock children in memory of Martha
Jolliff, were all received in 1987 and acknowledged in early 1988.291
The Council meeting for January 17, 1988, revealed that Mr. Harold Wells was serving as congregational
President, Mrs. Henri Burnett was Secretary, and Mr. Ernie Burnett was Treasurer. Mr. Fred
Langenbach, Mrs. Marilyn Williams, and Mrs. Eleanor Nitteberg served as Council Members.
Pastor D'Aunay' continued to fill in for Pastor Jolliff. By the end of February the Daniels' baby grand
piano was in place, but not yet tuned. Wes Ellis' wife began typing bulletins. Insurance Agent Phil
Owen was seeking data on stained glass windows value for insurance purposes and settled on a value of
$10,000. Zion was supporting the Synod at a 21% level. A candle lighter was received from Ethel
Jolliff in memory of Pastor Jolliff's wife, Martha Jolliff.292
The tradition of placing three crosses by the church at Easter was in place in 1988, because the Easter
crosses were removed by Fred Langenbach's son in April. Lillian Moseley and Charlotte Zander
served as SE Synod Convention delegates this year. Pastor Carl Warren, Assistant to the Bishop,
was designated as the contact to Zion. At a Special Congregational Meeting in April the church decided
to remove the gate and kneeling portion of the altar railing to allow easier access to the altar chancel dais
area. Another old church organ sold! Bishop and Mrs. Skillrud were welcomed to Zion June 3. The
Church Council noted that there was no acknowledgment from Synod about its contributions in 1988.
With Bishop Skillrud's visit came a request to increase benevolence to the Synod. There was a move to
provide a Lutheran Magazine for every member; ultimately there were four ordered from the church and
four for LCW.293
On an ominous note, Ernie Burnett for the first time requested the constitution be read to determine
settlement of church property if Zion were to disband. In 1988 the Silverhill Covenant Church invited
Zion to join in Vacation Bible School. Buddy Wigstrom serviced the air conditioners. Fred
Langenbach was authorized to buy air conditioning for the Fellowship Hall--$229 was contributed by
the LCW. Pastor Jolliff was to begin putting a summary of Council meetings in the bulletin. The church
at a Special Congregational Meeting authorized disbursement of $500 to any church in the district
needing financial aid. And there was more Synod fund raising.294
In late 1988 the South Central Baldwin Ministerial Association chose to no longer fund the United
Fund, moving its support to Catholic Social Service because of bookkeeping issues. Silverhill
Covenant Church and Zion moved to cooperate more closely in the coming year. There was more work
on that garage project: Fred's son was to furnish drywall and insulation; Sunday School kids were to furnish
the interior; and Eleanor was to decorate the church yard for Christmas with the help of children. Robert
Nitteberg has continued that tradition with some of those decorations annually since that time.295
Zion Lutheran Church
Begins Formal Outreach
Program to Northern Snowbirds
1989
As the church got more deeply involved with Heritage Day festivities, there was need for outdoor
facilities. The former parsonage garage was updated to a combination Sunday School and outdoor
cooking facility. Midweek pancake suppers were held in conjunction with Lenten services, initiated by
Eleanor Nitteberg who was also the cook. Success often brings problems. The Baldwin County
Health Department informed the church that it needed a bucket close by for washing hands when cooking
outside. This is the year that the LCW finally purchased a new sewing machine. Catholic Social
Service located in Robertsdale presented its program to the church women, and formal involvement with
food baskets began. Midweek pancake suppers in conjunction with Lenten services were held.296
1989 is a pivotal year for Zion Lutheran Church for a number of reasons. This is the year that Pastor
Jolliff encouraged the outreach program into Gulf Shores that would result in Grace Lutheran Church in
Gulf Shores (ELCA), Peace Lutheran Church in Foley (Augsburg Lutheran Church Synod, ALC)
and Trinity Lutheran Church in Daphne (ELCA) by 2004. Pastor Jolliff enlisted Zion members to
carry its hymnals down to Gulf Shores to get this snowbird ministry started. It is perhaps noteworthy that
this ministry which was begun with Zion Lutheran Church support, was taken over by the ELCA when
Jolliff resigned when Zion was in the process of leaving that national church body n 1995. Trinity
Lutheran in Daphne apparently grew out of LCA thinking stemming back to church planting ideas of the
1970s and 1980s. The LCA had purchased land at one point for the potential congregation. A congregation
was ultimately developed there with Pastor Jolliff's assistance after early attempts to set up a worship site
in Loxley for snowbirds, but under ELCA auspices.297
Pastor Jolliff explained the outreach this way. The Gulf Shores outreach came about because of a
desire to advertise the church. He recognized the need to promote the church and attempted to get the
church to advertise for perhaps 12 years. When the Midgardens got involved at Zion, Peter agreed to get
some signs up. As a result, some families started to come up from the Gulf. These snowbirds asked Zion
to help get an ELCA church in Gulf Shores. Zion experimented with services set up for 5:00 p. m. on
Saturday at an Episcopalian church with the stipulation that Zion would always have someone to
accompany Pastor Jolliff and do appropriate greeting. The program began in the summer with not much
success, but when the snowbirds came in the fall, the outreach ministry in Gulf Shores blossomed.298
The minutes of the Annual Meeting of 1989 recognized Robert, William, and Charles Nitteberg for
putting the roof on the Sunday School building and Roger Utter and Oscar Hauge for doing the cement
slab work in 1988. The congregation joined in suppers prior to Lenten services. The renovated garage
was designated the Annex Building. A Constitution Committee was appointed to report to the
Annual Meeting which was to be moved to November.299
It was noted that Zion Lutheran Church excelled in its support of the work of the ELCA on a per member
basis. This was in addition to its giving $50 per month to the South Central Baldwin Ministerium. The
budget for the year was set at $17,729. The Church Council now consisted of Mr. Harold Wells--
President, Mr. Ernest Burnett--Treasurer, Mrs. Henri Etta Burnett--Secretary, Mr. Peter
Midgarden--Secretary, Mrs. Marilyn Williams and Mrs. Eleanor Nitteberg--Council Members.
(Confusion as to Presidency results from the Chairperson sometimes being designated the "Vice-
President" in minutes in these later years. We have arbitrarily designated the Chair of the Council as the
"President.") Business during the year included a new constitution and an ELCA model discussion, new
signage being prepared, a VCR video program the third Wednesday evening of each month, a special
offering for Catholic Social Services, and the establishment of a "preaching point" in Gulf Shores for
winter tourists at the request of Pastor Jolliff.300
With the advent of the ELCA, synodical delegates now were limited to a man and a woman from each
congregation. It was noted that the Bishop was exploring the needs of small parishes in the Synod,
parishes like Zion's. Mr. Farlow was painting signs--he was a retired preacher. There was a tornado with
no apparent damage to the church. The mini-blinds for the east side of church were installed after removing
candle holders. The church was actively recruiting retired pastors for pulpit supply but could identify none
interested in preaching at Zion.301
Many may remember the savings and loan association fiasco of the late 80s. Well, would you believe that
the church funds needed to be moved before its savings and loan closed? The old speaker system in
church was evaluated that summer. It did not work. St. Paul's gave the church a duplicator. By August the
Church Council (Harold Wells, Ernest Burnett, Fred Langenbach, Peter Midgarden, Eleanor
Nitteberg, Marilyn Williams, and Pastor Jolliff) determined that there were enough funds now in the
church to complete the "Sunday School Building-Garage-Annex."302
Pastors Jolliff (r) and Rutrough of Ocean Springs’ Christus Victor Lutheran, familiar to Zion from his work in the 1970s and early 1980s, officiated at the June 25, 1989, wedding of Laura Burnett and Steven Cushing. Bridesmaid Amie Burnett (l) and best man complete the picture.
As noted, Dorthy Daniels, wife of Pastor Clarence Daniels, of Florida had donated the family grand
piano after his death. A plaque was obtained in 1989 for the Daniels' piano donation received in 1988.
The piano had been picked up in Harold Wells' truck by Harold Wells, Ernie Burnett, Victor Kubina,
and Pastor Charles Jolliff at a retirement home between Tallahassee and Jacksonville, Florida.303
Ernie Burnett again proposed beginning another men's group. Charles and Martha Canning and
Laura Buchinger were welcomed as new members. The old brass offering plates were replaced
because they would no longer take a polish. The new constitution was not ready for the Annual Meeting
now scheduled for November. The December Council meeting for 1989 reported that Pastor Jolliff was
asking the Synod for training for new member recruitment. And yes, Synod giving was increased, now at
22.5% where it would remain for several years.304
1990
Zion Lutheran Church became involved in the Robertsdale Fair in the 1990s and took a number of
ribbons for its church booth. This was the year that the LCW booth took second place at the
Robertsdale Fairgrounds.305
The minutes to the Annual Meeting of 1990 was depressing on one hand, Sunday School attendance
averaging two children and six adults, and positive on the other, Aleda Midgarden coordinating Sunday
afternoon services in Gulf Shores. Harold Wells and Mildred Havel were elected to the Church
Council for three year terms. Reports appended to the meeting minutes showed that the women were
involved with pancakes prior to midweek Lenten services in 1989.
Zion Lutheran Church member Mildred Havel arranges items for storage, circa 1990.
Baby clothes had been sent to India. A stove hood vent was installed in the kitchen for Heritage Day.
Zion provided five families with turkeys on Christmas.306
Organization of the Church Council after the Annual Meeting, showed Harold Wells--Vice President,
Ernest Burnett--Treasurer, Fred Langenbach, Mildred Havel, Marilyn Williams--Council Members,
Pastor Jolliff--President, and Peter Midgarden--Secretary. Pastor Jolliff, Ernest Burnett, Mildred
Havel, and Marilyn Williams would attend a Synodical event for outreach called, "Evangelism for
Small and Rural Congregations." Those brass offering plates were now replaced by refinished
wooden ones, courtesy of Fred Langenbach. New shingles were being investigated and plans for a
wheel chair ramp were put on hold.307
As noted before, the balance of delegates to Synod were now gender-balanced. Early Council work in
1990 set goals for the year for finishing the Sunday School building and establishing a preaching point in
Gulf Shores. Pastor Robert Warren from Synod was to do training and assist in outreach in March. By
March Pastor Jolliff had contacted the Episcopal priest in Gulf Shores about using its building for
Lutheran snow-bird outreach.308
The church ordered the six new spring-loaded candles we currently (2005) use on the altar when there is no
communion. The Church Council designated $500 for seed money to set up the preaching point in
Gulf Shores to begin the end of April at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church at 5 p. m. Saturday evenings.
The Council minutes are careful to state that the effort was for congregational outreach, that all
attendees were to be invited to Zion, and that the effort was not to start new church. Zion determined that
the work in Gulf Shores needed to be under the direction of a Lutheran pastor and sought to enlist
Pastor D'Aunay' if she were available. As a fallback position, Zion proposed to enlist Pastor Winter
from Silverhill Covenant Church. By the end of May, Pastor Donnell committed to conducting
services. In June the Council decided to spend $270 for a quarter page add to be taken in the Gulf Coast
newspapers in July as part of this outreach.309
Even as this effort was being developed, the Church Council minutes of July reveal a concern about
long-term members drifting away. Judy Borden subbed while the regular organist was gone. Signage
on AL 59 and AL 104 was found to be in violation of state law in August and was taken down temporarily.
Pastor Jolliff was asked to help at St. Paul's. More church ads began on the church page of local
newspapers in September. The congregation provided another $200 for the Gulf Shores outreach. The
church submitted its application to be a historical site for Baldwin County at this time. And, the church
treasurer rented a safety deposit box for the first time.310
In October, Pastor Jolliff sent a letter to the Bishop concerning the limited support of the church. Pastor
Jolliff reported a month later that his letter to the Bishop was returned unopened. About this time the
Council accepted a Robertsdale Episcopal proposal of covenant to share buildings for services.311
1991
In 1991 Zion Lutheran Church alternated Lenten services with St. John Episcopal Church of
Robertsdale.312 The Sunday School building renovation was nearing completion with help from
Lutheran Brotherhood. Zion and Holy Spirit Episcopal Church of Gulf Shores entered into a
covenant which was affirmed on January 13. The officers of the Church Council for the year were set:
President--Peter Midgarden, Secretary--Harold Wells, Treasurer--Ernest Burnett; Rachael
Hoffman was to serve as the specific public relations person. Coordination of activities with other churches
was seen as a need. A prayer week was to be established with Silverhill Covenant Church and midweek
Lenten Services with St. John's Episcopal Church of Robertsdale.313
The recent work on signage required no permits. The congregation committed to purchase 50 hymnals for
the Gulf Shores ministry in February. At its March meeting the Council reported that the Baldwin County
Historic Development Commission had designated Zion Lutheran Church a formal historic site.314
The March meeting noted that Paula Rockwell would serve as organist at the Gulf Shores ministry when
Mrs. Roston would leave. In April it was reported that the Gulf Shores ministry was in the black.
Remember those bathrooms in the historic church building? It is 1991 when those two bathrooms get hot
water. The long-term effort to obtain ordination for Pastor Jolliff continued in May with a formal letter to
Bishop Chilstrom seeking Jolliff's ordination. In June the congregation provided a Ministers Desk
Edition to Pastor Hamilton, a retired ELCA snowbird pastor,315 for use at Gulf Shores. In July the
Reverend Ronald Warren, Assistant to Bishop Chilstrom, advised that Pastor Jolliff needed to
formally apply for ordination. Constitutional revisions, presumably related to the merger into the ELCA, were
discussed in August. Church upkeep was again ongoing, two new gable crosses to be installed in
September.316
1992
The last formal Sunday School records were archived in 1992. Support for the Gulf Shores ministry
continued in 1992 and a pig roast with proceeds to be used to buy communion vessels was set in
February. In March of 1992 air conditioning for the church was discussed and an architect gave an okay for
it in June. Zion began initiating some structural recommendations from an experienced building
contractor, e.g., removal of the old chimney, installation of 2 x 6 bracing beams in the attic, etc., in
October. By September 50 more hymnals were purchased for the Gulf Shores ministry. People who
admire the ceramic chalices and paten in our Church Museum may note that Mr. and Mrs. James
Potmesil donated them in October. In November the Synod advised the Council that certain
constitutional changes had to be done. The church changed its yellow pages ad, but no attendance
improvement was noted in January 1993.317
Mildred Havel (center) with granddaughter Hannah Mahaffey and husband Leonard Havel (r) posed in the Zion Lutheran Church sanctuary in 1992. The Havels were long-time members of the church. Martha Canning (with the walker) was recovering from a fall at the time.
Zion Lutheran Church co-sponsored a vacation Bible school with Little Welcome Baptist Church
about this time. It was nominally successful, but subsequent planning and coordination did not materialize.318
1993
Zircon Pictures of Mobile used Zion's sanctuary for part of its comedy movie, "West from North
Goes South." Well-known actors included Shawn Thompson, Larry Linville, Phyllis Diller, James
Brown, and Lawanda Page.319 In February of 1993 the parish again sought to call a summer intern for
evangelism. The church ordered a door cabinet and recognized that the kitchen roof needed
replacement. That Gulf Shores communion set was scheduled to be dedicated in March. Zion now
attempted to recruit a seminary student for the 1993 summer with the help of Pastor Warren. The
Church Council could provide no representatives to the Synod Convention this year. In April the
Council received a bid to sheetrock the church nave, a project that was not initiated. In retrospect, the sense
was that sheetrock's weight would compromise the structure of the historical church building.320
It was about this time that the church became aware of an emerging homosexuality position developing
within the ELCA. Pastor Jolliff had sought to spare the congregation from this divisive issue. In May the
Council sent a letter to Bishop Chilstrom regarding homosexual issues in the ELCA. A second letter
was sent from Zion to Bishop Harold Skillrud of the Southeastern Synod. The specific issue will be of
historical significance, since Zion Lutheran Church had major reservations regarding apparent ELCA
support of a Gay March in Washington, D. C. Late in May Bishop Herbert W. Chilstrom responded.
In early June the church was advised that no intern was available for the summer.321
Despite the dearth of records in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s, we know that a number of baptisms and marriages took place. In this photo from September 5, 1993, pictured at baptism (l to r) are Harold Wells, Clareen Wells, Pastor Charles Jolliff holding Rebecca Kerensa Flores,
Merrily Yvette Flores, Ysidro Flores.
Zion apparently underwrote the costs for the Gulf Shores ministry's worship services to be added to the
yellow pages. The Community Thanksgiving Service was held at Zion in 1993. Efforts at rehabilitation
of Zion's worship space were still in the discussion phase at the end of the year. In reviewing 1993, the
Council found that the congregation was over budget by 12%.322
Zion Lutheran Church
Part of Realignment in Lutheranism
in the USA,
Affiliates with Association of
Free Lutheran
Congregations (AFLC)
1994
The Ladies Aid had become the Lutheran Church Women at the time of the mergers in mid-century. The
church and the society had changed by 1994. The LCW ceased meeting.323
Other activities remained positive, e.g., the outreach to Gulf Shores and the snowbirds continued.
Valerie Weaver would report in a piece for the Baldwin Press Register that the "Snowbird ministry
outgrows church: Coastal congregation outnumbers parent Zion Lutheran membership four to one." She
noted that Pastor Charles Jolliff never expected in 1989 that the outreach to Gulf Shores would grow
larger than Zion's ministry. Weaver would record Jolliff's words, "Five years ago we managed to get some
signs up on the road leading to Zion. That year 10 couples came." Before that time only one or two couples
made the 40 mile one-way trip to attend Zion Lutheran, the oldest ELCA church in southern Alabama.
Jolliff would remark that the ELCA was considered a liberal branch of the Lutheran denomination. The
church ultimately met at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Gulf Shores. Attendance was as high as 160
during peak snowbird season. Tuesday Bible Study was headed by Carlene Overholt. Both she and
her husband, Dr. Hugh Overholt, were active with the mission congregation in 1994.324
However, back in Silverhill, shortfalls in pledges begin to emerge. One member formally requested that
none of his offering be sent to the Synod. The Church Council scheduled meetings to discuss the
ELCA's "Task Force on Human Sexuality," a major compounding issue for members. By June the
Council determined to send the Synod formal feedback on its sexuality study. In August the congregation
was investigating sharing a part-time pastor in conjunction with St. Paul's. The Church Council set up a
congregational retreat to discuss ongoing issues. It was scheduled for November 11 at Camp Beckwith. In
this flurry of activity, the Church Council accepted Pastor Charles Jolliff's resignation and formally
acknowledged his health problems.325
On October 4 the Council set a Congregational Meeting for October 23 to accept the Jolliff
resignation. Apparently the Synod was unaware of all details of Zion's love for Jolliff or of its acceptance
of his resignation with special reference to his health needs, for on November 9, Bishop Skillrud sent a
letter to Pastor Jolliff, advising him that the work he spearheaded in Gulf Shores under Zion's auspices
was now separated from Zion. However, there must have been some awareness since he noted that since
Jolliff had separated from Zion, the Bishop was assigning him to a one year appointment to work in Gulf
Shores. "I have assured Mr. Midgarden that Zion Lutheran Church certainly may continue a ministry in
Gulf Shores as well, if they should choose to do so, but it will be necessary to secure a new location."
Bishop Skillrud penned a letter on the same day to the Rev. Dennis Baum at Holy Spirit Episcopal
Church advising that "Zion now separated from all outreach through Holy Spirit" and that the ministry in
Gulf Shores was now part of the "Division for Outreach of the ELCA."326
One day later Bishop Skillrud lay out his letter of law on Pastor Gary Schimmer's status as official pastor
under ELCA rules. Pastor Schimmer from St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Mobile must be at all official
congregational business. Furthermore, decisions reached concerning the leaving the ELCA to this point were
not valid, because no pastor was there. On November 22, Interim Pastor Schimmer determined that all
actions at Zion's retreat were valid with the exception of the decision to leave the ELCA.327
The life of the congregation continued during this turmoil and on December 4 at its Annual Meeting Zion
prepared a plaque in honor of Jolliff, authorized a $1000 gift to Jolliff, and purchased an artificial Christmas
tree. And yes, the congregation held a "legal" vote to withdraw from the ELCA. Five days later Zion
formally covenanted with St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Mobile for interim pastoral ministry via Pastor
Gary M. Shimmer. On December 13, Zion advised Bishop Skillrud formally by letter that the
congregation was in the process of withdrawal. The Bishop advised the congregation that he would be
present on January 22, 1995, for the formal motion and vote.328
1995
Congregation members in Silverhill first began to be concerned with that "liberal branch of the Lutheran
denomination" in 1994. Now Zion Lutheran Church was seriously considering leaving the ELCA. Pastor
Jolliff continued to have a desire to remain within the ELCA. Remember now, a new parish record book
had been initiated by Pastor Jolliff and Mrs. Sandell in 1973. That book was now surrendered at
resignation by Pastor Jolliff . Essentially, all births, deaths, baptisms, confirmations, and marriages
had not been entered into the official records of the church since 1973. Membership records specifically
were incomplete! Records began anew in 1995 as a new period of church history commenced with the
congregation's trek to church autonomy and independence from the ELCA. Pastoral care would fall to
Pastors Hoeferkamp, Moore, Farlow, and Smyth until 1997.329
The Council meeting of February 22, 1995, reveals both the consequences of that January vote to leave
the ELCA and also that the congregation was actively continuing its mission to the community. One person
reportedly initiated a transfer from the congregation in order to stay in the ELCA. Other business was
"routine," a new dishwasher installed, yellow pages ad to delete "ELCA" from the ad, announcement of
Special Meetings, etc. In March the church door locks were changed, letters of resignation approved, and
potential Lutheran bodies for affiliation were examined: Association of Free Lutheran Congregations;
American Association of Lutheran Churches; the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod; and,
Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.330
In a letter on March 27 the congregation advised Bishop Skillrud of Zion's withdrawal from the ELCA and
of its desire to join the AFLC. In April there was a resignation from the Church Council and replacement by
long-term member, Lawrence Moseley. Pastor Schimmer was assisting the congregation and provided
names of potential interim pastors. There was a transfer of a parishioner to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in
Mobile. The Council appointed Charles Canning and Harold Wells as designated representatives to
the Gulf Coast Conference with respect to ongoing dialogue with the ELCA regarding disposition of
church property.331
By this time Pastor Klepatz was providing pastoral services to Zion. Routine work in the church continued.
The church needed to repair a plugged culvert in front of church, the same culvert that was plugged at the
end of 2004. Grace Lutheran of Gulf Shores bought the hymnals that had been "on loan" from Zion at
this point for $5 each. On May 2 a letter to Bishop Harold Skillrud was drafted under the signature of
Interim Pastor Gary Schimmer warning the ELCA of potential suit if it did not let Zion out of the ELCA
with its property.332
On May 9 Zion Lutheran Church sent a carefully crafted letter to the Members of the Council of the
Southeastern Synod of the ELCA summarizing why the congregation wanted to withdraw including these
data:333
At a congregational retreat (11/11/94) most congregational members wanted to withdraw.
At formal meeting (12/4/94) presided over by ELCA Interim Pastor Gary Schimmer 23
members voted to withdraw from the ELCA, 3 were opposed, and 1 abstained.
At a formal congregational event (1/22/95) Bishop Skillrud, who officiated at worship and
directed discussion with the church, was unpersuasive in his arguments for Zion remaining within
the ELCA.
At yet another meeting (3/19/95) Bishop Skillrud delivered a long formal presentation
concerning the consequences of withdrawal, yet the vote was 23 to leave, 8 opposed, and no
abstentions. The congregation voted to join the AFLC which felt it could help the congregation
in its ministry goals. 334
On May 11 Pastor Hoeferkamp was contacted to fill in while Pastor Klepatz was away. Michael
Coleman, now Professor and Doctor of Music at the University of West Florida, was appointed Director
of Music. The Church Council reviewed legal options should the ELCA require Zion's litigation. The
congregation prepared for a Special Congregational Meeting. In just a few short days the congregation
would receive the May 11 letter from Bishop Skillrud to Pastor Gary Schimmer acknowledging Zion's
activity to withdraw and the status of Pastor Klepatz administering communion at Zion. A second letter
followed dated May 21 from the Bishop advising Zion that it was still in the ELCA and still bound to the
ELCA constitution.335
Meanwhile, in a letter dated May 23, the "bishop" of the AFLC, President Robert Lee noted the forfeiture
of property rider attached to Zion's formal departure from the ELCA, and stated that there was no AFLC
claim on any church property should the church affiliate with the AFLC. On June 11, Zion formally sought
AFLC affiliation, but noted that the congregation's status with the ELCA was still unresolved. It is at this point
that Bishop Skillrud sent an interpretation to the effect that Zion's property should be released to the
ELCA if Zion disbanded (letter of July 1, 1995). This proposal was rejected and a counter proposal was
initiated by the Council on July 11.336
Meanwhile a new family was accepted into membership. A formal letter of protest was sent to the
Bishop of the ELCA, the Rev. Herbert Chilstrom, particularly protesting Zion's treatment as being
different from other churches withdrawing from ELCA. On August 8, Bishop Skillrud requested Zion's
building if it were to disband within ten years. The turf battle was formally over when the September 28 letter
from Bishop Ronald B. Warren of the Southeastern Synod formally recognized the withdrawal of Zion
Lutheran Church. The church was so thankful. A letter of appreciation was sent to Pastor Gary
Schimmer of St. Paul's expressing thanks for his service from December 1, 1994, to September 8,
1995, during the long withdrawal process from the ELCA.337
In November and December the Church Council reviewed options for calling an AFLC pastor, but there
was no consensus on strategy. In December new "AFLC Hymnals" arrived for use in 1996. The Council
asked Pastor Klepatz to continue until a regular pastor became available.338
Remember "out with the old"? It is at this time that June Langenbach and Lawrence Moseley completed
work on selling three old church space heaters. Old wooden chairs were to be sold. In a major move the
church begins funding the AFLC benevolence at a 10% level.339
The Church Council elected Peter Midgarden as Chair, Charles Canning as Maintenance Chair,
Ernest Burnett as Treasurer, and Darlene Tasso as Secretary. The first meeting of the year revealed
painting was again needed. A new record book was now being used effective with date of release from
ELCA, i.e., September 8, 1995. Lawrence Moseley was appointed to chair a Call Committee. The
church had been advised that if it continued its Fish Fry activities, the Baldwin Health Department required
a new sink. Specifications for a handicapped ramp were now being drawn up by Peter Midgarden. The
congregation was added to the "City Hostess Service" packet distribution service to new residents. Yellow
pages and Mobile Register ads were updated to reflect affiliation with the Association of Free Lutheran
Congregations. The Council decided to poll the congregation at the January 14th Congregational
Meeting as to whether Zion should become an AFLC Home Missions congregation or should choose its
own pastor.340
1996
By 1996 Zion Lutheran Church had officially left the ELCA and begun a search for a new Lutheran
synodical home, ultimately affiliating with the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations (AFLC).
Harold Wells is credited for first identifying the AFLC as a potential home for the congregation through an
internet search.341 Remarkably, a church in Indiana opted out of the ELCA at the same time as Zion. Vine
and Branches noted that St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Whitestown, Indiana, and Zion Lutheran
Church of Silverhill, Alabama, both voted to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,
ELCA, and unite with the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations.342
There were complications. While the ELCA-Southeastern Synod granted the Alabama congregation the
right to leave with its property, the Synod had initially sought to require Zion Lutheran Church to pass a
resolution promising that it would transfer title of all property and assets to the ELCA if the congregation
disbanded, failed to hold regular Sunday worship services each week, or joined a non-Lutheran body
before June 1, 2005. Sensing that the Synod was beyond the law as well as its constitutional authority in
seeking to control the life of the congregation for 10 years after its withdrawal from that Synod,343 Zion
continued negotiations with the Synodical Council of the Southeastern Synod. Zion was ultimately free
to unite with the AFLC344 and leave with its property to "look forward to new life as a free and living
congregation upholding the infallible, inerrant Word of God" in the AFLC.345 Zion Lutheran Church
negotiated a commitment that promised, upon failure of Zion to be a viable congregation, it would deed the
church property as a historical site to the Silverhill community at the suggestion of Fred Langenbach. This
stipulation was only to be valid for ten years.
The Congregational Meeting decided that the congregation should call a pastor and not be an AFLC
Home Missions church. The church had been advised that Pastor Klepatz was not eligible under Home
Missions rules to serve Zion, and he was interested in serving the church. Pastor Klepatz was in process
to be admitted to the AFLC Clergy Roster. The formal Call Committee was established with Lawrence
Moseley (Chair), Henri Etta Burnett, Della Sandell, Ray Tennent, Harold Wells, and Marilyn
Williams. By the end of January the recommendation came that Pastor Klepatz should be called to pastor
the congregation.346
In February it was determined that a handicapped ramp would mean addition of a door to the west side of
the church building. It was a cold winter. Gas bills exceeded estimates because of cold. But church hearts
were warmly expecting growth with AFLC affiliation. The Council ordered new offering envelopes in
expectation of congregational growth. Clayton and Jodie Weaver became members.347
The congregation did call Pastor Herbert Klepatz of Mobile in February with the stipulation that he apply
for status with the AFLC Clergy Roster. He accepted the call.348
By March the Council determined that its new ramp would cost $700. Other changes were coming besides
the new church record book discussed earlier in the year. Changes in worship order would bring
Announcements to the end of the service, communion to the first and third Sundays, communion cups
to be filled before the service, and the Pastor to read Gospel lessons beginning in April. During the tenure of
Pastor Jolliff, the congregation had utilized the common cup for communion. Pastor Klepatz
attended an AFLC meeting in Minneapolis late in March. Meanwhile on the Eastern Shore, the ELCA
mission in Fairhope offered to purchase the old Zion hymnals, $2.50 per hymnal. Ernie Burnett
continued to look for other buyers. The copy machine was having problems.349
In April the Council discovered that the "City Hostess" packets would not be printed. Pastor Klepatz was
going to another AFLC meeting regarding admittance to the Clergy Roster. And those Fish Fry needs? A
new sink would cost $600.350
By June Ernie Burnett had arranged that 90 hymnals would be sold at $5 each with proceeds used to
procure AFLC Ambassador Hymnals. Lutheran Brotherhood was now meeting at the church on
occasion. A possible congregational newsletter was in the discussion phase. The congregation agreed to
support Sherry Klepatz in a community "Precept Bible Study" to begin in September.351
Pastor Klepatz was on vacation in September, and Pastor Hamilton Moore was obtained fill in. The
Church Council acknowledged that the Klepatzes had donated a variety of books to Zion. Fish Fry?
Yes, the sink was installed by September and the church's new ramp installation began with work on the
door in September. Memorial funds would cover costs and a plaque would be placed at the door. Soon
the church would have a wireless mic and a functional newsletter up and running. The focus of the
newsletter was every family unit in the parish. A Fish Fry was scheduled to help defray Inez
Langenbach's medical expenses.352
In November it was decided to return the Annual Church Meeting to January. The "Precept Bible Study"
had started out with 29 enrolled, but attendance averaged 14 each week.353 As an aside, the "white
board" for teaching was obtained at this time and placed in what is now our Church Museum. It was
moved to the Fellowship Hall at the time of the 2004 Missions Conference.354
1997
During the period of transition and ultimate affiliation with the AFLC (1995-1997), Pastors Hoefferkamp,
Moore, Farlow, and Smyth provided pastoral services, but Pastor Herbert Klepatz (1997-1998)
began as regular pastor with the church in 1997.355
Council Minutes for January 1997 showed that all ELCA hymnals were sold. The emphasis on spiritual
gifts surveys had yielded 14 completed surveys for the congregation. At the Annual Meeting Ray
Tennent and Clayton Weaver were elected to Church Council. The congregation received a kind letter
from Harold Skillrud, Bishop Emeritas, in February. The church became proactive in March, joining the
Central Baldwin, Eastern Shore, and South Baldwin Chambers of Commerce in March. The
congregation was sending $25 a month to the Central Baldwin Ministerial Association for charities. In
April the Council opened bids on the church roof repair, low bid $6300. There was discussion concerning
representatives from the church attending the AFLC Annual Conference, Red River flood relief, and
development of evangelism packets.356
The Church Council discussed the dilemma of no children in Sunday School. Pastor Klepatz decided
to talk on evangelism in a church workshop in late summer. Peter Midgarden, Charlie Canning, Harold
Wells, and Ernie Burnett were to attend the AFLC Annual Conference. The congregation was to
receive seventy books concerning Alabama Swedish immigrants from the Friends of Swedish
Immigrants Society.357
In late summer the Council investigated the feasibility of bringing a Bible School Barnabas Team to
Silverhill and a commitment was made for 1998. There was discussion concerning development of a
snowbird article for the AFLC Ambassador. The Council investigated obtaining insurance help for roof
repairs post hurricane and repair was underway by October. A new brochure was to be used at
Heritage Day with a door hanger operation in conjunction with the annual Fish Fry. Pastor Klepatz
preached at the Community Thanksgiving Service held at the Silverhill Covenant Church. By
November, Debra Stults had become another new member. Optional pledge cards were still in use in
1997. The Council readied constitution recommendations for the Congregational Meeting in January
1998.358
1998
Pastor Herbert Klepatz continued his service. By January 1998 the Council was still figuring out how to
get potential names of new residents via the various Chambers of Commerce. Ray Tennent would
report in February that the Chambers of Commerce had many helps for recruitment of new members.359
The Annual Congregational Meeting recorded a number of details: 6 members were added in 97 by
pastor report; the Lutheran Church Women were active with a missionary family, food basket, Save-a-
Life, flood relief, fair booth, and Fish Fry; the new constitution was accepted; Lent was to have a potluck
before each midweek service; and, the new members to the Council were Ralph Utter, Marilyn
Williams, and Dennis Langer.360
Pastor Klepatz left the congregation in spring of 1998. The pastoral services of Pastor Moore were
procured for Sunday services. Pastors St. Pierre, Delgehausen, and Billy Godwin were to be on-call.
A new Call Committee was established with Linda Allen, Darlene Tasso, Ernie Burnett, Pete
Midgarden, Jody Weaver, and Ralph Utter as members. In mid-1998 Rick and Virginia Thomas
became new members. Harold and Linda Allen represented the church at the AFLC Annual
Conference. The church welcomed the Southern Barnabas Team the summer of 1998. By November
there was a congregational meeting to call Paul E. Jecklin as pastor. Optional pledge cards were still in
use at the conclusion of 1998.361
The Church Council welcomed the Lamberts as new members. The minutes of the Annual Meeting
showed there had been 5 baptisms in 1998 and 4 new members. Revenue from the Fish Fry event
brought in $900. Pastor Jeklin would begin serving the church on February 1. Worship changes
introduced included readers introducing the Creed and the Prayer of the Church delivered by
congregation participants. Congregational participation in prayers continues at the time of this writing.
Chamber of Commerce commitments were renewed.362
1999
The Zion booth took first place at the Robertsdale Fairgrounds winning a prize of $100.00. The theme
was "Fan the Flames of Your Spiritual Life." Pastor Paul Jeklin was welcomed to the church.363 By
March 1999 two websites had been established for Zion Lutheran Church:
www.community.al.com/cc/zionlutheran and www.hows.net/36576zlc. Yet another website was to be
established by Harold Wells by mid year. Fliers were now being delivered in a number of communities.
The Council accepted a painting from Aleda Midgarden in 1999 which replaced the "Risen Christ"
painting of the mid-century in the Nave. Pastor Jeklin committed to attend the AFLC Annual
Conference in Fergus Falls. The congregation purchased pew Bibles in memory of Emil Sandell.
The Council continued to struggle with Sunday School issues and it was recognized that Zion Lutheran
Church needed to invite children and families to build any Sunday School. Shirley Stephens was
invited to serve as substitute organist. The first Fish Fry benefit to support the surgical needs for little
Whitney Fritz was scheduled for May. The Council recognized the need for baby changing stations
to become more child-friendly.364
The Zion Lutheran Church Women have been a dynamic force through much of the history of the
church. Here they were involved with a baby shower for Kay Langer’s Kaitlyn in 1999.
There was a 1999 attempt at Daily Vacation Bible School, but no data were reported. The church
interior was painted with funding through the Aid Association for Lutherans chapter support. The
congregation was to host a missionary family. Volunteer cleaning activities by Lillian Moseley and Violet
Buonauro ended in mid year. The congregation met for a church picnic at Camp Dixie in September.
More signage and more pledge cards were discussed in November. Copy machine problems continued
and a new machine was needed for 2000.365
2000
The Zion booth again took first place at the Robertsdale Fairgrounds winning $100.00. The theme was
"The New Millennium."366 Clayton Weaver continued as congregational President in 2000; Darlene
Tasso was Secretary; and the congregation authorized establishing a Building Fund in early 2000.367 A
formal needs assessment for space for the next five years was itemized in March: fellowship area for 200;
2 restrooms; 2 classrooms for 50 people each; larger narthex; nursery cry room. The Council began looking
to tour other churches re space planning. Lighting in the sanctuary was a particularly sore item and the
addition of ceiling fans to lights was investigated and ultimately installed by June. Specific building concerns
were brought to Marshall Lambert for preliminary sketches and recommendations.368
The church parking area was compromised by the long-standing ditch on the south side of the church. A
culvert was installed by the Town of Silverhill to allow more parking at a cost to Zion of $539.05. Carl
and Jackie Stumer, Irene McFadden, and Roger Matthews were added to the membership in May.
The June Council meeting received sketches from Mr. Lambert, and Ralph Utter proceeded to get some
estimates. The church began an evangelistic outreach as teams of two visited the community. One team
discovered that the church was identified as that "gay church," bringing back memories of homosexual issues
in the early 1990s with the ELCA.369
The Church Council formalized the Building Committee to include Charlie Canning, Mack Gibbs,
Pete Midgarden, Larry Poland, and Roger Matthews. It would address classroom space needs and
office space needs by the end of the year. Continuing care of the historic church building involved
evaluation of handrails by the altar, but they were found to be infeasible. The window blinds were in need
of repair in 2000. The church dropped further membership in the Central Baldwin Chamber of
Commerce.370
Zion Lutheran Church
Initiates Its First
New Building of the New Millennium
2001
In 2001 there was an initial decision to build an auxiliary building on the site of former parsonage
garage.371 The working Building Committee was comprised of Ernie Burnett, Charlie Canning, Mack
Gibbs, Roger Matthews, Peter Midgarden, Larry Poland, and Ralph Utter.372
At a Special Congregational Meeting on January 7, 2001, the Building Committee presented
drawings by Tom Stults and building cost estimates via Charles Canning. The decision of the
congregation was to pursue further plans and estimates. It was just after this meeting that Pastor Jecklin
requested a "peaceful release letter" from his ministry at Zion. Pastor Jeklin resigned to accept a call in the
Northeast.373
At the Annual Meeting two weeks after the Special Meeting, membership was reported at 60 baptized,
but there had been a net loss of 7 by the end of year. Of 57 communicants, there had been a net loss of 6
by end of year. The 2001 Church Council consisted of Treasurer Ernest Burnett and Council
members Darlene Tasso, Linda Gibbs, Pete Midgarden, Harold Wells, Larry Poland, and Ralph
Utter. Soon $500 was reallocated to evangelism. When the Council formally organized itself in February,
Peter Midgarden became President and Darlene Tasso, Secretary of the congregation.374
A new vacuum and 150 St. Mark audio tapes were purchased for evangelism. By July Charlie
Canning presented revised plans and estimates for a new building which were brought to a Special
Congregational Meeting on July 29. The congregation voted 17 "yes" and 10 "no" for building a new
building. By the end of the year pledges would amount to $25,256 . Mack Gibbs was given the task of
finding appropriate financing. By the end of August Pastor Paul Jecklin officially resigned to go to St.
John's Lutheran in Pennsylvania. He had advised the Council of his sense that his ministry was drawing
to close earlier in year.375
Pastor Rupert St. Pierre would begin filling in October and a new Call Committee would become
functional in November. The Council's attempt at evangelism allowed it to recognize that there was a
sense in the community that Zion Lutheran Church did not want to change and that a building program
would help Zion's negative image. The church was seeing growth in its Building Fund and in average
Sunday attendance. The Council was concerned about debt and began pursuing non-debt options for
the new building, ultimately concluding that no building could begin until $70,000 was in hand.376
New members were received in the fall: Vera Avera, Margaret Stephens, and Shirley Stephens.
Harold Wells was designated to represent Zion at First Baptist Church of Silverhill for the Community
Thanksgiving Program. As the year wound down, there was Council recognition that hearing assistance
was needed and that the existing public address system needed work.377
Zion Lutheran Church
Implements Website
LutheransInSilverhill.com
2002
The 2002 Annual Meeting was noteworthy for direction and focus. Pastor Jecklin reminded the
congregation that its resources should work for the cross and not for savings. The congregation embraced a
building plan to finance $51,000 after reaching a Building Fund total of $70,000 on hand. The Call
Committee reported on its initial work. Loreli Walker was added to membership.378
Pastor Dave and wife Cindi Johnson arrived from Minneapolis, MN, upon accepting a call from the
congregation in the spring and was formally installed October 6th, 2002.379
November 19, the Silverhill Planning Commission met to consider Zion's
Fellowship Building proposal. After an initial response that Zion would need to file an appeal because it
did not have a detached minor building and the area was not zoned for commercial use, the Lord opened a
door.
What is now called the "Fellowship Building," so long in congregational consideration, was deemed an
"accessory structure" which would replace the "Annex-Garage-Sunday School-Fish Fry Building." The
limitation? The new "replacement" structure had to be at least 5 feet from the Zion property line.380
Zion Lutheran Church's new website, www.LutheransInSilverhill.com, was initiated in the fall of
2002 by Pastor Dave. Within several months, Debbie Owen volunteered her services to work with the
website, quickly adding a dimension of quality and integrity to Zion's website which would be over a
hundred pages within a year or so.
2003
Long-time Zion member Fred Langenbach would pass away and be remembered in a funeral service
within the sanctuary in which he had so often labored over the last half century.
But the congregation was finally on a move in terms of a new building. The congregation had the old
parsonage garage moved from its site in early 2003. The congregation broke ground for construction of
its new auxiliary building in March and dedicated its Fellowship Building with AFLC President
Robert Lee officiating in November. By the time the project began, Zion had approximately $60,000 in
hand and obtained a loan for the balance from Thrivent for Lutherans (the former Aid Association for
Lutherans and Lutheran Brotherhood companies) for this new $120,000 edifice.381
The wedding of Bettina and Barry Langham took place in October in the historic church building with a
reception in this new Fellowship Hall. It was 98% completed. Cindi Johnson was joined by a number of
church women in inaugurating a women's Bible study.
2004
A men's fellowship ministry called "Men's 710 Second Tuesdays" began in January. This monthly
breakfast program incorporated a breakfast, a short devotional, and a speaker with a men's topic.
Men's 710 Fellowship. - Click to Enlarge.
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The first
major activity in Zion Lutheran Church's new Fellowship Hall was a Valentine's Celebration in
February.
Valentine Fellowship, Feb. 14, 2004. - Click to Enlarge.
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Midweek Lenten Services utilized a "Soup and Sandwiches and Lenten Vespers" format and the new
kitchen was fully put to work. A full set of kitchen cabinets would be completed by year's end.
Kitchen Cabinet Installation, Oct. 1, 2004. - Click to Enlarge.
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A Lutheran Missions Conference was sponsored in March entitled, "God Restores the Broken-
Hearted: A Lesson in Evangelism from Russia and Eastern Europe," using Pastor Don Richman
from East European Missions Network in Minneapolis as conference speaker.
The congregation commissioned a commemorative medallion in honor of its first hundred years. The face of the medallion portrays the historic church. The reverse carries a message of God's faithfulness and love in words dear to a Lutheran Christian. Zion’s website is prominent at the coin’s base. Five hundred medallions were distributed before year's end and a second five hundred were ordered for use in 2005.
Zion Lutheran Church of Silverhill honored the life and ministry of its longest serving lay pastor, Pastor
Charles Jolliff, in June, noting that he "served the congregation from 1972 to 1994, after receiving a
commission from retiring Pastor Clarence Daniels 'to pastor Zion Lutheran Church with only one
stipulation, that Christ be preached.'"
In recognition and honor of his ministry, Zion presented a recognition plaque to the Jolliff Family upon Pastor Charles Jolliff’s passing. The Church Council donated 22 Gideon Bibles to the work of
expansion of the Kingdom of God and our Lord Jesus Christ in the memory of Zion's Pastor Charles
Jolliff. Pastor Jolliff had served the congregation for 22 years.382 Pastor Jolliff's daughters, Margreta
Martin works with Lutheran Services of Missouri in St. Louis in a Missouri Synod-ELCA joint activity
and Dallas works as Executive Director with Lutheran Conference Centers of SC.383
With the freeing up of the "old kitchen" space in the rear of the historic church building, Henri Etta and Ernest Burnett took on
the task of developing a Church Museum to house a century of artifacts.
Museum curators Ernie and Henri Etta Burnett spent many hours organizing artifacts from Zion Lutheran Church’s first hundred years. They were set to open its doors to the community for its first public showing during the 22nd Annual Silverhill Heritage Day Festival on Satuday September 18, 2004.
However, the arrival of Hurricane Ivan on the Alabama gulf coast canceled all these plans. The buildings and property at Zion Lutheran Church sustained little damage, even though the thiry-mile wide eye passed right over the church, but there was much property damage all around Zion. For an account of what happened at Zion leading up to and immediately after the hurricane, click on the picture.
Silverhill and the entire gulf coast had no way of knowing that the next year would be one of the worst hurricane years on record.
2005
And that gets us to the beginning of the one hundredth year. The congregation has established a parking
lot paving fund in hopes of blacktopping its soggy parking area. Council member Loreli Walker resigned
from the Council in Spring and was replaced by Milt Luoma.
Zion installed its 2005 Church Council at services on February 13. Pictured left to right are Peter Midgarden, Ernest Burnett, Vera Avera, Darlene Tasso, and Charles Canning. Pastor Dave Johnson (second row) officiated. (2005 Council Members not pictured: Linda Gibbs and Loreli Walker). - Click to enlarge photo.
Zion Lutheran Church was all but wiped out by the major hurricane hitting Baldwin County in 1906. A number of events summarized below took place after our First Printing of our church history. Most significant was the August 29 impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast. It was the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history to date. Personal and commercial property and casualty insurers lost $34.4 billion in insured property losses alone. This is almost $15 billion more than catastrophic costs related to Hurricane Andrew a decade ago. These figures do not included losses to utilities, agriculture, aircraft, ocean marine (e.g., oil drilling platforms) and flood-property coverage through the federal flood insurance program, much less to the uninsured. It is important recognize that those insurance companies do not pay all claims.
There were 851,000 housing units left damaged, destroyed, or inaccessible after Katrina. By the first week in October the Red Cross alone had provided more than 3.2 million overnight stays for survivors. By early November FEMA, having already expended $3.4 billion to one million households victimized by Katrina, was being sued for failure to provide housing. At the time of this update (July 2006), there are still many complaints about aid issues and relief management! Complicating the basic issues is the matter of record-keeping. There are still few hard figures later than the early October data. Damage was widespread. Percentage-wise, the lost property breaks down with Louisiana having 66%, Mississippi having 28.6%, Alabama having 3.8%, Florida having 1.4%, Tennessee having .1%, and Georgia having the balance, less than 1% of that $34.4 billion. Some reports suggested that half the damage was in New Orleans
There was a confusion and re-reporting of data from September, which had lots of faulty information in it. What we do know is that the number of insurance claims for policy owners is expected to exceed 1.6 million claims by the time all is done. To put this in perspective, the U.S. is building 2 million new housing units a year. Between Hurricane Katrina and then Hurricane Rita following shortly thereafter, 20% of our home-building capacity is involved in replacing homes lost to hurricane. In our area thirty miles from the major Alabama damage, we cannot get consistent skilled labor in the building trades--employees and contractors are off to Mississippi where the dollars per hour are about twice what the local rate is here. One contractor reported that there is abundant construction work at $109 a square foot, but that so much affluent money is coming related to the condominium boom at $169 a square foot, that local rebuilding needs are being bypassed for the more lucrative jobs of the wealthy. So, the Katrina-disaster sponge is not only sucking up dollars, but it is also absorbing our local labor resources to the detriment of locals. This loss of homes and labor in our area will affect our local economies in the Gulf States for several years.
In early October the Congressional Budget Office was thinking that the Katrina disaster would cost the economy about a half point in reduced growth. Hurricane-related job loss was at 74,000 at that time. The state with the biggest unemployment hit was Mississippi.
From Zion Lutheran Church’s perspective, we do not want to forget New Orleans from an impact perspective, but one needs to remember that New Orleans suffered from flood damage, not hurricane damage. New Orleans did not receive a direct hit despite media reports. Hurricane Katrina came ashore southeast of New Orleans towards the Slidell area and remained a hurricane for over ten hours as it proceeded north. Katrina at its worse stretched several hundred miles wide with most of its damage coming in the northeast quadrant of the storm.
Silverhill was 120 miles east of the eye-wall of Katrina and 20 to 30 miles from the Gulf. Silverhill had hurricane winds for 18 hours, breaking many trees, but flexible things like magnolias would come back to more or less straight after a few months. There was major wind damage 30 miles west of Silverhill. Where Katrina came ashore shrimp boats were moved inland and structures were toppled or totally washed away. Damage similar to TV footage of Pascagoula or Gulf Port extended all the way from the east side of the Louisiana-Mississippi line to Mobile Bay. Silverhill is about 10 miles from the Bay. Though spared another hit like Hurricane Ivan’s in 2004, the Silverhill community had Category 1 and 2 winds.
Hurricane Katrina had waves in excess of 90 feet out in the Gulf of Mexico and destroyed numbers of oil and gas rigs. Before making landfall southeast of New Orleans and ultimately coming ashore in Mississippi, Hurricane Katrina had already hit Florida as this tracking map shows. - Click to Enlarge.
Our initial assessment of Katrina damage was not horrific. We felt that Alabama and Mississippi were in good shape, or so we thought. When a hurricane passes, whether it is a hit or not, people rejoice that they have life and even broken limb. That was us in Silverhill. But people were numb. What no one recognized was the collapse of the infrastructure of the Gulf Coast. All electricity was out west of us. Cell phones work off electricity and towers. Towers were down and electricity could not power those towers. Landline telephone service was out. Nobody knew how bad the damage was because no one could tell us.
The TV reported about New Orleans. We now know that the press invented stories about rapes and snipers, but all such “accounts” have been proven to be fabrications at this point. What we eventually learned was that the damage was between us and New Orleans. The media failed to get into the damaged area for almost a week. Buras, which was southeast of New Orleans and Slidell, which was northeast of New Orleans, took direct Katrina hits, where only one structure in five was left standing.
Several days after the event we at Zion started getting bits and pieces. Contacts were revealing minimal damage in places where we could talk to people, places like Mobile and Gulf Shores. A contact north of New Orleans in Lafayette suggested lots of people were displaced and we saw some people effect in our area. We had no way of hearing from anybody else. Eventually word came through to the effect that there were major problems to our west. We still did not know how bad it was. First word came about Jefferson County releasing all its convicts before the storm came through. Unsavory characters from New Orleans had migrated out of that city. Only law enforcement seemed to know the mix of people as refugees was bad. Major concerns about crime were emerging. Particular concerns about theft and drugs began to be apparent.
It had become apparent after a half week or so that the Gulf Coast had big problems. The population of our county swelled. We were the first county on the east side of Katrina that had a functional infrastructure. Shelters were going up and relief relay systems were developing. We were getting inquiries. We put a link on our church website trying to connect people with the AFLC’s focus, World Relief. People and churches were calling us, asking for a more direct mechanism for giving. We relayed them to the Red Cross and World Relief. We offered our church facility to the Red Cross. We connected with Loxley Church of God and the Foley Red Cross Shelter. We began fund-raising locally. We connected some churches with other churches, which were filling in the gap for help.
We were scrambling to get connected. Silverhill’s Zion Lutheran Church had gone from being oblivious to Katrina consequences to being involved on a congregational and individual member level.
An early first week response was complicated by pieces of the relief grid failing to weave together. The problems were not all FEMA’s fault! We were working at the Robertsdale Red Cross Shelter. The numbers were shrinking from day to day. It was breakfast. A couple of volunteers from FEMA came over to the shelter and asked for a cup of coffee. The Red Cross coordinator about lost it. The person who poured the coffee for those two FEMA volunteers was lambasted. “Don’t give them anything!” was the shout. You have heard about Mr. Brown and FEMA and management issues. Here it was before our eyes: Federal rules prevented charities from helping FEMA--a hurricane volunteer was denied a cup of coffee! How many times during this catastrophe would this happen?!
Some things did work well in that early response. Our Red Cross Shelter was closing. We had gotten to know the coordinator and a friendly transfer of goods from one volunteer organization to another took place. We loaded two or three pick-up truck-loads of paper products and instant meals on Zion member Charlie Canning’s truck, took them up to Loxley Church of God, and those relief goods were in a Mississippi shelter 60 miles away that afternoon feeding people and caring for them.
The problems in that initial week or so were not all organizational. Lots of volunteers were heading into the disaster area. Some of them came from AFLC churches! But think about local volunteers. We could not get gasoline during this time--volunteers were driving on gas that they were not sure could be replaced at this point.
A shift in relief focus was already taking place by the second week after Katrina. Refugees were heading home even though there oftentimes was nothing there--FEMA was providing some tents and thinking about trailers. The time of mass mobilization help was obviously coming to a close.
Our Zion Lutheran Church Council met and talked about reality. Zion too little to help with big projects and we were an elderly congregation. We decided to apply Galatians 6:9-10. We polled our congregation to identify specific households that we as a congregation knew, and to help them. Many individuals and churches had asked us to help them help--we began channeling funds to five households, to two churches that we were aware of in the devastated area, and to the Sheriff’s Youth Ranch in Baldwin County which had an influx of 20 youngsters from Mississippi and no funds to support their needs. Yes, and we helped our local nursing home--same thing--doesn’t our Heavenly Father call on us to help local people help this kind of influx of refugees?
Zion shared its vision for care with its AFLC brothers and sisters in Christ along with non-AFLC churches. The Zion congregation made a concentrated effort to fund our local task fully. We looked to doing intermediate relief. We believed that we should realistically be looking at six months worth of minimal funding of households and related support. We came up with a plan to give an initial grant of $1000 per household or ministry and then figure $300 a month for help till April 1, 2006. We shared our goal with those in the AFLC who had asked how they could help, and dollars started making the journey south.
By the end of the project, nine congregations and who knows how many individuals in them, helped Zion along with perhaps another two dozen individuals who sent us funds directly. And let us not forget a Girl Scout in North Dakota responsible for sending boxes of Bibles and school supplies that we got over to Pascagoula! It was a dynamic plan to work on Hurricane Relief. But Zion participated in other hurricane-related events. For example, our Silverhill Community Thanksgiving Service gave all its proceeds to relief efforts in Waveland, Mississippi--it was left flat with nothing left and located just across our Alabama-Mississippi border.
Our own mid-term plan, as funds became available, added another household to our Relief Program. Similar to others in this Katrina situation, this last household consisting of parents and three children, had lost house and all belongings. After two or three moves from shelter to shelter by FEMA, they obtained a small apartment in Loxley near us. The husband actually had a job that was still there in Mississippi, but there was no way the family could return for that job--there was no place for them to live. One of the six households to whom we directed resources soon had the shell of a house with several displaced people living in it! Our support funds were being shared with their local church! The Methodist pastor there shared that all their possessions were lost in Katrina and the household insurance did not cover flooding. Another household in that congregation had also received some of our help indirectly.
So, what was the effect of Zion’s mid-term hurricane relief program? About $32,000 went through the program in its six months of operation. Funds were still being directed to relief as late as July 2006. Special needs still exist and we at Zion have tried to connect givers with potential needs when practical.
Given the amount of space on the Katrina story, it is apparent that this natural disaster took much energy on the congregation’s part. But 2005 was our Centennial. Did the hurricane wipe out our celebration? No! The Baldwin County Commissioners recognized Zion's Centennial Year with a Proclamation and formal presentation by Commissioner Wayne Gruenloh during County Commission business on October 18, 2005. The resolution, presented as a leatherbound proclamation, was received by Chairman Peter Midgarden of the Zion Lutheran Congregation's Governing Council. Chairman Midgarden in turn presented the Commissioners with a "Zion Lutheran Church History, 1905-2005," and Centennial Medallions cast by the congregation for its centennial year. Each medallion was imprinted with an image of the historic church and with a brief Bible verse and blessing.
Baldwin County Commissioner Wayne A. Gruenloh (right), Proclamation in hand, presents the leather bound document recognizing the Centennial Event of Zion Lutheran Church, October 29 and 30, 2005, as "Zion Lutheran Church Days" in Baldwin County, Alabama, to Church Council President Peter Midgarden (center). Congregational Pastor David Johnson (left) witnesses the presentation. - Click on the photo to see more about this story.
Formal Centennial activities crescendoed on Reformation Sunday weekend. We had Luther on stage, so to speak. Our local headline would read, “Zion Lutheran Church Centennial Drama with Pierre Burns as Luther October 29 at 1:00 PM.” An English version of the old Augustana Synod liturgy was resurrected for the Centennial Celebrations, October 29 and October 30.”
This historic worship liturgy on October 29 featured the “Martin Luther” drama by Presbyterian Pastor Pierre Burns as Luther in the sermon spot in the liturgy.
The Rev. Pierre Burns as the great Lutheran Reformer, Martin Luther, examines the Altar Bible at Zion Lutheran Church. Remarking on the means of salvation Martin Luther said, “Time and paper would fail me if I were to recount all the blessings that flow from God’s Word. God gives no one His Spirit or grace except through ... [His] Word.” - Click on the photo to see more about this story.
The offering component of the liturgy was missing as well, since the focus of events for this community event was celebration. An openhouse with refreshments followed this event in Zion’s Fellowship Hall. Special guests were recognized at the Saturday event.
The next day Zion Lutheran Church welcomed AFLC President Rev. Robert Lee for its Sunday Centennial Service.
The AFLC President, the Reverend Robert Lee, brought the Centennial Worship Celebration Message to Silverhill's Zion Lutheran Church on Reformation Sunday, October 30, at 10 AM. - Click on the photo to see more about this story.
The worship service was remarkable for several reasons. A hymn inspired by Martin Luther's "Out of the Deep I Cry to Thee" was composed for the processional by Zion's organist, Dr. Michael Coleman.
Elements of an English version of the original Swedish liturgy used by the first congregation a hundred years ago, was utilized in the centennial service. Pastor Lee, chief representative of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations (AFLC) which embraces a number of churches with Scandinavian heritage in its membership, preached at the service. A potluck fellowship meal followed.
Two weeks after our “remembering” a hundred years of history, Zion celebrated almost two years of “Men’s 710 Second Tuesdays,” a men’s breakfast and speaker fellowship. Baldwin County Archivist John Jackson spoke on conservation of artifacts. “Identification, preservation, and access! To learn from the past, we need to preserve our artifacts!” He was talking about Baldwin County’s past, but also the past that each of us have that is relevant to our families, churches, and communities.
Baldwin County Archivist John Jackson, "Men's 710" November 2005 guest, discussed how Zion could preserve its many artifacts from early Baldwin County history. Click to enlarge.
Remember the Zion church bell from the late 1920s? It was hoisted in place at the end of the 1920s, replacing the original bell, which now sits in the Silverhill School yard. Church and school shared the same bell, originally gifted by Silverhill founder Oscar Johnson. The "new" bell was constructed so that it could freely ring or so that it could be tolled with a small hammer mounted on trunnions inside the bell casing for events such as funerals. Sometime in these last 78 years, one of the trunnions broke, but the tolling mechanism limped along. In Bell Tower renovation Peter Midgarden removed the broken trunnion and brought it to Jim Morton, "so skilled in welding that he could weld two pieces of Mom's tinfoil." Jim had to special order welding rod compatible with these old pieces of cast iron trunnion.
Zion Lutheran Church Chairperson Peter Midgarden and Jim Morton hold pieces of 78 year-old trunnion used for historic church's tolling mechanism. “Able to weld tin foil,” Morton was able to repair cast iron gudgeon. Click to enlarge.
In December, second-graders from Silverhill School took their annual "Christmas Walk in Silverhill," escorted by teachers Miss Melanie McClammy, Miss Jo Hellmich, and Miss Corliss McGill. Children and parents had an opportunity to appreciate the decorations and the culture of beautiful Silverhill, originally a Swedish community developed about a hundred years ago.
Included in their tour was a stop at "Swedish" Zion Lutheran Church. Children had an opportunity to enter the bell tower and ring the historic church bell, which has called the faithful to worship for almost a century. Captain Pete Midgarden and Pastor Dave Johnson shared some of the worship and Christmas stories that Swedish pioneers experienced a century ago and fielded a variety of questions related to the physical church structure. Children learned a few Swedish words and had an opportunity to sing the treasured Norwegian Christmas folk song, "Jeg Er Saa Glad," still sung by Scandinavian Lutherans today as "I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve."
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