This same year Pastor Friday was elected president of church council. On May 27, 1904 Pastor Friday confirmed the first catechetical class. The next day the first baby, Camellia Harpel, was baptized. During Pastor Friday’s pastorate and under his leadership, he met with Mr. & Mrs. Chrism in regard to purchasing a lot at the northeast corner of Front Street & Fisher Avenue. The final word from the Chrisms was that the lot could be purchased for $2,200.00 and that they would donate $100.00 as a personal contribution. A dedication of a frame chapel was held on December ii, 1904. On January 15,1911, a Sunday School was organized at 2nd Street Pike and Cottman Ave., which later became Immanual Lutheran Church. On September 22, 1919, after 16 years of service, we accepted the resignation of Pastor Friday. who became an Army Chaplain at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
On May 12, 1920, Bela Shetlock, then a senior at the Mt. Airy Seminary, was called to become the pastor of Zion. During Rev. Shetlock’s pastorate, plans were underway for a NEW ZION. Obviously with many prayers and careful planning, on September 23, 1928 at 4 o’clock the cornerstone was laid. A congregation of approximately 1500 attended this service. The new Zion was dedicated on December 23, 1928. A mortgage burning service was held on December 14, 1947. A complete renovation of Zion began on July 20, 1953. Two properties were purchased: 5309 and 5311 N. Front Street, in order to build a new parish house and additional facilities. We celebrated our ~ anniversary celebration at our new Zion on October 20, 1953. After 42 years of service, Pastor Shetlock retired in December, 1962. On December 15, 1963, a new organ was dedicated.
The Rev. Martin Luther Acker was called to Zion, began his pastorate February 1, 1964, and was installed on March 15, 1964. On November 15, 1965, the Rev. Robert M. Feist was called as Associate Pastor. During Rev. Acker’s pastorate and under his leadership, ground breaking for the new parish building began on August 21, 1966. Pastor Feist resigned on September 21, 1966.
On June 1, 1967, the Rev. John J. Keiter was called as Associate Pastor. On November 19, Zion witnessed the dedication of the new Parish Building, erected at a cost of $840,000.
On June 9, 1968, after five years of service, the Rev. Martin Luther Acker resigned. Rev. Keiter resigned on July 1. A Christian Day School was organized for Prekindergarten children under the direction of Mrs. Esther Petri in September, 1968.
In 1969, the Rev Charles F. Miller was called to become the pastor of Zion and was installed on September 1, 1969. After 4 years of service, we accepted the resignation of Rev. Charles F. Miller on Jan 8, 1973.
The Rev. James N. Servey was called, began his pastorate on August 1, 1973, and was installed on September 9, 1973. During Pastor Servey’s ministry and under his leadership, Zion’s 70th anniversary was celebrated with a congregational dinner at the Philadelphia Rifle Club. He initiated, with care of willing workers, the sixty-plus luncheon for senior citizens and the founded Zion’s Memorial Endowment Fund. Pastor Servey organized a junior and senior Hand Bell Choir to be added to the music program, and the number of youth in the Junior and Senior Luther Leagues soared.
The Rev. Frederick C. Heitzenroder was called as Associate Pastor on June 1, 1974. In September of 1974, the Christian Day School expanded and Kindergarten was added. There was a Mortgage Burning Service and Victory Celebration on November 14 and 21, 1976, paying all indebtedness on the new Parish Education Building and Chapel. Parish Worker, Edith J. Schmidt retired on January 1, 1977, after 31 years of service.
The resignation of Associate Pastor Heitzenroder was accepted in February, 1977, and the Rev. David M. Deal was called as Assistant Pastor on August 1. The year 1978 saw a celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Zion during the month of October, climaxing with a congregational dinner on October 29 at the Philadelphia Rifle Club.
In February of 1979, The Rev. David M. Deal, Zion’s assistant pastor, and his wife, Donna, left for a call from Advocate Lutheran Church in Philadelphia. They were well-loved and greatly missed.
In April of 1979, the Rev. Yutaka Kishino began his ministry at Zion. He was a special blessing to the youth. He and his wife, Nancy, remained until January, 1983.
Zion’s Child Care Center got its start in 1984, under the leadership of Barbara Schmidt. It started with only a handful of our congregational members’ children.
The Rev. Paul Lundmark joined Zion as an assistant pastor in November of 1983. He and his wife, Christine, who had completed seminary, but had not been ordained, and young son, Christian, left Zion in April of 1986. Pastor Paul became a chaplain in the Navy.
The Rev. Michael Seifried became an associate pastor in December of 1986. He and his wife, Julie had two children, Maureen and Clayton. Pastor and Julie became very involved, especially with the youth. Pastor Mike truly enjoyed working with the youth on the Strawberry Festival, which was held each May. We regretfully accepted Pastor Michael Seifried’s resignation in June of 1989, along with the resignation of our beloved Pastor James N. Servey, who had served Zion faithfully for 16 years. Pastor Servey had at one time or another deeply touched the lives of everyone in the congregation.
The Rev. Gary Wilkerson came to Zion in 1989, first as an interim pastor, then as a permanent pastor. He began offering parenting classes and counseling for a variety of issues, including substance abuse. Under his leadership he gathered the council for a retreat in Hamilton, New Jersey. During this retreat our mission statement was formulated, which reads:
"Our Mission is clear: God calls us to minister to all people in our congregation and community through proclaiming the gospel of God’s love and forgiveness. We live our faith daily by sharing our gifts and blessings. We strive through worship, witness, learning and service to understand God’s will to love one another as God loves us."
Pastor Wilkerson, his wife Karen, and their two children, Aaron and Reed, were with us until August of 1993. Pastors Nyce and Kinard followed as interim pastors.
The Rev. Mark Buchan and his wife, Nancy, came to Zion in 1994. They led a wide variety of family oriented activities and opened them to the community. Pastor Buchan was a personable and outgoing pastor and visionary. Before the Rev. Buchan became a pastor, he was an actor in New York City. He incorporated some of his acting skills in the children’s sermons. He played his guitar and dressed in costume, which was very inspirational for the children. Pastor Buchan initiated and promoted our new sign on the corner of Front Street and Fisher Avenue. We accepted Pastor Mark Buchan’s resignation in June, 1996. Both he and his wife, along with their toddler son, Ross, were sadly missed.
After Pastor Buchan left, Zion had a pair of interim pastors. Vicar Owen Griffiths and Sister Laura Bernardo each enriched our lives.
In November of 1997 the Rev. John Stevens Kerr joined us as an interim pastor. He was a major stabilizing factor and had a wonderful sense of humor. He led us in a fundraising for wireless microphones. We said farewell to Pastor Kerr and his lovely wife, Joanne, in October, 1999.
In November of 2003, the Rev Leah Cook-Mcdowell joined us as redevelopment pastor at Zion.
Zion Lutheran Church History
1903-2003
