Zion Church History

1852 - 2004

ZION- Originally the name of the fortified hill of pre-Israelite Jerusalem: also used symbolically to refer to the religious capitol of Israel.

• Zion began in Germany where some people were united into one Evangelical church. In 1840, the Evangelical church of Germany began sending pastors to America to do missionary work and to form churches.

• Zion Evangelical Church in Peru, Illinois was organized September 5, 1852.

• The years 1852 to 1859, the church had three pastors who were called the "Circuit-Rider-Preachers."

• Church services were held in people’s homes for the 14 years from 1852 when the church was first organized until 1866 when the church was actually built.In the summer of 1872 two church bells were installed into the tower, and for the first time in the history of Peru the people were called to worship by means of the clear ringing bells that were imported from Germany.

• In the fall of 1902 the congregation celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. A third bell was added to the chime. At this time a Building Fund was started for the enlargement of the Church Building.

• In 1905 the congregation had a rededication service for the addition of 32 feet that was added to the north end of the church, giving more seating capacity and more room for the Sunday school work downstairs.

• During 1942, Zion Church added 300 members.

• With the increase in membership, it became necessary in 1942 to conduct an Easter Morning Sunrise Service in addition to the regular 10:15 service and this has been continued each year to the present time.

• By 1955, the membership continued to grow. Plans were finalized for a new Educational building and parsonage. The parsonage that was built in 1889 was going to be moved but ended up being torn down. The 3^rd parsonage of the church was to be built first. This would be located to the East of the Sunday school addition. In 1959, the building was finished and dedication services were held.

• Also, in 1959, Zion took part in the merger of the Evangelical and Reformed churches and the Congregational Christian Churches that became the United Church of Christ in 1960.

• In 1988, information was given to the congregation about putting in an elevator. The elevator was installed.

• In 1989, a mural was put up outside the church. A special mural fund was set up to help pay for it. Dedication of the bronze sculpture of the "Last Supper" took place on October 1 World Wide Communion Sunday. After the beginning of the service held in the sanctuary, the dedication and communion took place outside in front of the mural.

• Land was purchased North of the existing parking lot to increase the size of the parking lot. Zion lost parking spaces to the South due to the building of the Women’s Health Center across from the church. Zion church and Illinois Valley Community Hospital worked together to make sure this project was done properly. The parking lot and landscaping were completed.

Right click on Zion History  to read or download the complete Zion History text .