A word from our Senior Pastor,
Jennifer Henry

“We’re looking for a place where we belong, a place where we can get involved and where we can feel love.”  I have heard this yearning spoken by many people in various locations. 

Deep inside of all of us is the need to belong to a place that has a rich past, a vibrant present, and a hope-filled future.  And so our yearnings lead us to look for a community that will accept us, encourage us, support us when we are suffering, and then forgive us. 

Come and worship with us at Zion.  Come and experience music that is inspiring and energizing.  Come and make connections between everyday life and faith.  Come and meet the people who volunteer their time and talents in ministries of teaching, serving, singing, building, and learning.  Come and discover a people who value youth. 

 Please take a few moments to meet us in the various links on this website.  If you wish to visit with me or any staff members, please call the church office (563) 242-7391.

                        See you in worship!

                                    Pastor Jen

Zion's Dynamic History

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was organized in February of 1883 by a group of recent local German immigrants. At the invitation of Wilhelm and Clara Rehwoldt, Professor John Fritschell, a seminarian from Wartburg Theological Seminary, at that time located in Mendota, Illinois, conducted the first worship services. Without a church home, during those early months, the infant congregation gathered for worship at St. Johannes Danish Church (now New Hope). Soon, land was purchased and Zion's own worship and Christian education space was built. In June of 1883, Zion's first pastor. Rev. Paul H. Valentiner was called and Zion began to grow into its mission, to grow not only in size and number as more and more members were added as the Word was preached and the Sacraments administered, but also in its own identity in this new neighborhood, in the Clinton community, and in its relationship with the larger church.

Led by the Spirit, throughout its nearly 125-year history, many changes in both structure and mission emphasis have charted the course and direction Zion has taken. From its early German speaking roots, we continue to strive to be faithful to God's Word for us; to discern God's will for us in this time and place; and to live into Christ's mission to "reach out" with the Gospel, not only in our own community, but also throughout the world.

Last modified: 01/30/11