Zion Church
 |
 ZION CHURCH OF THE CITY OF BALTIMORE
FOUNDED: 1755 PURPOSE: The congregation responds to God’s love in worship, through education and witness; in fellowship that wants to be a service to the community.
As a Lutheran congregation of the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we respect the heritage of the Reformation in an ecumenical context, which invites everyone to worship and permits all baptized Christians to receive Holy Communion at its Altar. Traditionally Zion Church has served the German-American community since its inception. It was founded by German immigrants, and for over 250 years has enabled wave after wave of immigrants to find here a spiritual home. We believe we are the oldest Lutheran Church in the nation that has an uninterrupted ministry with services both in German and in English. Not only is Zion a spiritual center for the German-American community but it is also a focal point for social activities. A number of German-American groups meet in its rooms or gather in the Adlersaal on festive occasions, strengthening the ties between the German “Vereine” and the old church. The Zion Language School has a long tradition. In 1835 Pastor Heinrich Scheib started it as a bilingual German-English liberal arts college. After the First World War, it opened its doors to immigrants learning English. Now we serve over 100 German-Americans trying to learn the language of their ancestors. Classes at all levels from beginner through advance for children and adults are held from September to the end of April on Saturday mornings. Zion Church is proud of its fine music program and our superb choir, keeping alive our rich musical heritage. The Ladies Aid has gained a solid reputation for its fine food at receptions, banquets, the Gartenfest in September and the famous Sour Beef in October. The Zion Forum for German Culture is responsible for cultural and social events like the MayFest and the Lutherfest on the Sunday next to the reformer’s birthday (Nov. 10). Together with the Baltimore Kickers, the Forum hosts the annual Christkindlmarkt on the weekend after Thankgiving, which has become a regional magnet, drawing crowds of over 1500 people for shopping and sampling of authentic German cookies like Lebkuchen and Stollen and enjoying Bratwurst und Glühwein (mulled wine). Adjacent to the City Hall, the large church and garden complex is the most prominent architectural jewel and oasis of the German-American community in Baltimore. The church building itself was dedicated in 1807. We are engaged in an ongoing restoration effort to insure these beautiful historic edifices will serve future generations. Thanks to the generous support of the German American groups and of many individual donors, our parish hall is equipped with a three-stop full size elevator, making it fully accessible. We invite all to our regular services: 9:15 a.m. German Service (Abendmahl/Holy Communion every 1st & 3rd Sunday) Wednesday Zion Church of the City of Baltimore Interim Pastors: Pastor Anke Deibler & Pastor Eric Deibler Church Office 410-727-3939 |
