Rev. G.D. Elliker

Waukon and vicinity has been plunged in sorrow this week over the loss by death of Rev. G.D. Elliker, pastor of the Zion Reformed church.  His demise occurred early Tuesday morning, the result of a paralytic stroke, which overcame him in his dooryard on Thursday afternoon last.

~Waukon Democrat clipping, February 1928 - contributed by S. Ferrall

Rev. Reuben Elliker

Rev. Reuben Elliker of Robertsville, Ohio, who has accepted the pastorate of the Zion Reformed church of this city, informs the consistory that he will be here to occupy the pulpit the fist Sabbath in September, says the Waukon Democrat.

~Postville Herald, June 14, 1928 - contributed by S. Ferrall

Rev. Karl J. Ernst

J.C. Opfer is in receipt of a postal greeting from Rev. Karl J. Ernst, former pastor of Zion Reformed church of this city, says the Waukon Democrat, who is in Switzerland at present, which is his native fatherland, though he was born in one of the oriental countries while his father was a missionary clergyman.  Rev. Ernst is now one of the faculty of the mission college of the Reformed church at Franklin, Wis.

~Postville Herald (County News column), June 28, 1928 -contributed by S. Ferrall

48th Anniversary Celebrated

The Zion Reformed church at Waukon celebrated its 48th anniversary last Sunday.  The church has a membership of 436.

~Postville Herald, June 29, 1933 -contributed by S. Ferrall

Church Officers elected

Newly elected officers of Zion Reformed church are: elders, William Straate, William Bechtel and George Herman; deacons, Leo Promintz, Ben Hansmeier and Elmer F. Peiper; trustees, Karl Simmons, Everett Leas and Howard Martin.

~Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, Sunday morning edition, January 31, 1943 -contributed by S. Ferrall

Waukon Church to Observe End of Remodeling

Waukon - At services Sunday, the congregation of  Zion Reformed church here will celebrate completion of remodeling of the church interior. The project was begun in March of last year.  It was completed with more than 3,000 hours of work donated by men of the congregation.  Architect was Frank Fuchs of LaCrosse, Wis.  Building committee was composed of Elmer Fogt, Albert Bahr, Howard Martin, Louis Hull, Ben Hansmeier, Mrs. E.A. Leschensky and Mrs. R.H. Wheat.

The entire ceiling of the church was lowered and overlaid with acoustic tile.  A heating plant was installed, tile flooring was laid and the interior was redecorated.  The added space provides a large fellowship hall, 14 individual classrooms, a library and a spacious, well-equipped kitchen.

Sunday's festivities will begin with Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. Young people from colleges will have charge of the programs.  At 10:30 a communion service will be conducted by the Rev. Ruben Grosshuesch of Melbourne.  At 2:30 p.m. a dedication service will be conducted by the pastor, the Rev. Edmond Hennig.  Speaker will be the Rev. Ernest Flidderjohn of Plymouth, Wis., pastor of Zion church from 1915 through 1920.  The church choir under the direction of Mrs. Robert Hager will sing.  Open house will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

~Cedar Rapids Gazette, January 3, 1953 -contributed by S. Ferrall

Waukon Church to Observe 70 Years

Waukon - Zion Reformed church of Waukon will observe it's seventieth anniversary Sunday, with a 10:30 a.m. service conducted by the Rev. E.M. De Buhr of New Albin.  The congregation was organized Feb. 13, 1885, by the Rev. B.R. Huecker, pastor of the Reformed church four miles southeast of Waukon.  A brick church was erected in 1885.  In 1895 the congregation built a parsonage near the Waukon church, severed the relationship with the country church and called the Rev. G.D. Elliker as its first resident pastor.  During his 15-year pastorate the Ebenezer congregation in the country disbanded and themembers joined Zion church. The present building was built in 1903, after the original building became too small.  Cost of the new one was $16,459.36.  A new parsonage is to be built this year.  The church is without a pastor at present. The Rev. Edmund Henning, pastor for nine years, has accepted a pastorate near Sheboygan, Wis.  A new pastor is to arrive this fall.

~Cedar Rapid Gazette, August 20, 1955 -contributed by S. Ferrall

Rev. Walter E. Odenbach

The Rev. Walter E. Odenbach, former pastor of Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, Iowa, died August 29, 1986. The funeral service was held September 3 at Scottsdale Church of Christ in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Rev. Alan B. Bond officiated and burial was in East Resthaven, Phoenix, Arizona. Arrangements were under the supervision of Messinger Mortuary and Chapel in Scottsdale.

~contributed by Connie Ellis

Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon is Celebrating 125 Years

February 20, 1885 Zion was officially formed with 48 charter members (today, Zion's membership is 385). The name Zion was unanimously adopted, and Zion Reformed Church came into being. In 1957, the name became Zion United Church of Christ when the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian merged to form the United Church of Christ.

The present church building was built in 1904 at a cost of $16,659.36 (including the furnishings and the bell). The rock for the foundation and most of the labor was donated by members. January 15, 1905 the church was dedicated.

Zion is graced by two large stained glass windows located in the main sanctuary. The original cost of each window was $400. In 1908, they were destroyed by a hail storm. After temporary repairs, the congregation voted to replace the windows in 1909. The windows were ordered from Germany at the time that World War I was beginning in Europe. The art glass was all handmade by craftsmen in Germany. By the time the art glass was ready to be shipped to America, it was felt that the ship might be attacked, so the craftsmen buried the glass in the earth until the war was over to insure their safe delivery. Two men traveled to Iowa and stayed with members of the congregation while they installed the windows. Most recently, the west window was restored in 2008 and the north window's restoration was just completed in August at a cost of $80,000.

In 1952, the entire basement was dug out and a Fellowship Room was created with kitchen facilities. The Fellowship Hall has undergone a complete remodeling this summer in anticipation of the anniversary celebration. In 1956, the present parsonage, which is located next to the church, was built. In 1966, an educational building with Sunday School classrooms was added. In 2001, Zion became completely handicap accessible when an elevator was installed along with a drive-through canopy and parking lot.

During this year, the Zion congregation has been remembering its history with different events. Sunday, September 19, the "sons and daughters of the congregation" who have gone into the ministry, both ordained and licensed, have been invited to "come home" to Zion for a special worship celebration to honor them. Throughout Zion's 125 years, there have been 12 men and women who have gone on to become pastors. The list includes: Willard Sherman, (deceased), William Huenemann (deceased), Ruben Henry Huenemann (deceased), Gene Hermeier, Allen Hermeier, Susan (Moline) Larson, Randy Bechtel, Lisa (Deal) Schroeder, Sharon (Shari) Prestemon, Corey Larson, Brian Brandsmeier, and Bonita (Duit) Wiley.

~Waukon Standard, 9/5/2010. There is more history & a vintage photo of the church on the Waukon Standard website February 2010, to find search their archives.