General Synod (1820-1918)

Northern Illinois Synod
(1910 map)
Advent
Ascension
Augsburg
Calvary English
Christ English
Cuyler
Grace English
Hope
Luther Memorial (Ravenswood)
Mt. Zion
People's
Reformation
Rogers Park English
St. Andrew's English
St. James' (Logan Sq.)
St. Mark's Ger.-English
St. Paul's
Tabor
Trinity (Cent. Ill.)
Unity
Woodlawn Immanuel

Wartburg Synod
Bethel German
St. Simon's German
Trinity German (Holy Trinity)

  Mount Zion English Ev. Lutheran Church


Mt. Zion Lutheran Church
Mount Zion English Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1914 as a member of the General Synod, to serve the Auburn Highlands neighborhood of Chicago. The congregation was organized on April 14, 1914, after initial mission work conducted by Dr. John F. Seibert of the General Synod's Board of Home and Foreign Missions. Lots were purchased for the church building on the northeast corner of 81st and May. Construction on the building (pictured above) began in January 1917 and dedication of the completed facility was held in March. The sanctuary was damaged by fire in December 1924 and later reconstructed.

In 1956, following the relocation of many members to the suburbs, Mount Zion began conducting worship services at an elementary school in Evergreen Park. Land was purchased at 104th and Kostner in Oak Lawn in 1956. Construction began in 1957 with dedication of the new facility held in November 1958. Mount Zion's former building was sold to a Reformed Presbyterian congregation.

Pastors
D.L. McConnell 1914-1923
Frank Jensen 1923-1947
Ervin T. Beaver 1947-1952
David H. Melbye 1952-1984
Robert R. Lesher 1985-1988

Records
Mount Zion's record books should be held by the congregation, 10400 S. Kostner Ave., Oak Lawn, IL 60453. The Archives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has congregational histories and other materials related to Mount Zion.


Sources
Mount Zion Lutheran Church. 75th Anniversary, 1914-1989. 1989.

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