Zion's Mission Statement: Zion Lutheran Church of Lewistown,
Montana, was founded in 1912 and is a member of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America. Our call from God is to share
his rule and grace with all varieties and conditions of people,
enabling them and ourselves to discover meaning, wholeness,
and community in commitment to the God of Jesus Christ. We
seek to be stewards of the land in this part of God's creation,
and by worship and service uphold each other in the mystery
and power of God's word and sacraments.
As early as 1905, men and women of Scandinavian descent were
having church services in their homes. It was then the Rev.
A. G. Lund of Our Saviors Lutheran Church traveled from Great
Falls to Lewistown and started holding services in the Knights
of Pythias Hall, the Salvation Army Hall and the Presbyterian
Church. From 1912-1914, Rev. H. O. Shurson took over the pulpit.
In this time period, lots were purchased on the corner of
Sixth Avenue North and West Corcoran Street with the intent
of building a church. In 1913, the Sunday School was formed.
After moving to the new larger building, the Sunday School
divided into three groups for separate grades. It was organized
with a board of education, superintendent, a secretary-treasurer,
13 teachers, music directors and an adult Bible class. The
work on the church building was done mostly by the members
of the church and served the community for 39 years.
In 1914, Rev. J. K. Lerohl replaced Pastor Shurson and confirmed
the first group of young people. The church conducted services
in Roy, Valentine, Dovetail, Forest Grove, Buffalo, Winifred,
and Grass Range. In 1917, the United Norwegian Lutheran Church
(Zion's first synodical affiliation) joined the Hauge Synod
and the Norwegian Synod to form the Norwegian Lutheran Church
of America, later called the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
In 1920, Rev. William J. H. Madson became the pastor, and
considerable work was done on the church building under his
ministry. During the pastorate of Rev. Ruban Mostrom, the
Zion Cardinals were organized. The Cardinals was a basketball
team that traveled around the state. Mostrom arrived at Zion
Lutheran a bachelor, but was married during his stay, which
was 1933-1937. The Rev. J. Enderson served from 1937-1943,
and other pastors included the Rev. Vollie Husby (1943-1949),
the Rev. Aubrey Edmonds (1950-1959), the Rev. Lionel Simonson
(1959-1967), the Rev. Sheridan Erickson (1967-1972), the Rev.
Allen Haugen (1972-1981), and interim pastor Alvin Skibsrud
in 1981.
In 1944, a building program was started because of the need
for space for both the growing congregation and Sunday school.
First, a new parsonage was purchased on Seventh and Corcoran,
and in 1946, the congregation purchased the lots on Sixth
Avenue and Evelyn Street for the future church building. During
the summer of 1950, John Gilmore served as pastor. He had
been active before at Zion in youth ministry. Other young
men from Zion returned and filled in as pastor in the time
of need. They were Jack Leininger in 1975 and Steve Nelson
in 1979.
An educational wing was added to the church and was completed
in 1969. Later, a new parsonage was built and the old one
sold. After 1996, the church elected not to maintain a parsonage,
though it does own and rent the home next door. In 1981, Pastor
Kenneth Olson arrived to serve the congregation and remained
through 1999. Pr. John Nelson served as interim pastor until
the arrival of Pr. Paul J. Seastrand in August of 2000.
Zion
builds on a faithful heritage of worship, witness and service.
Today it has 600 members, some older, some newer, who devote
their time, talents, and service for the work of the Gospel.
Zion has two choirs (adult and youth), a monthly Service of
Healing, a Caring Ministry team, weekly education for children
and adults, commitment to its confessional and liturgical
heritage, and benevolence support to local people and agencies
as well as to regional and global ministries of evangelism,
justice, and humanitarian relief. The year 2007 will mark its 95th
year of grateful participation in the Body of Christ. |