Little is known about the beginnings of Zion (Spies) Church because many of the records have been lost. It is generally accepted that Victorious Spies, for whom the church is named, made a gift of land to a worshipping community of Evangelical Lutherans and Evangelical German Reformed faithful. It is also believed that in about 1757 a log building was constructed as a first house of worship.
The earliest deed of “Spies’” Church is a patent from John and William Penn to the trustees of Zion’s Church. There is no mention of Victorious Spies and his donation of land in the deed. Apparently, Spies never owned the land given to the church. It is believed he was an early settler who “squatted” on the land owned by John and William Penn.
It appears that when the church was built in 1774, a Record Book of the congregation was started. There is one baptismal record of 1769, but beginning with 1774 the baptismal records were kept regularly. Since organized church life began with the building of a church and the keeping of a Record Book, we have continued 1774 as the birth date of our congregation.
The old stone church was replaced with the first brick church, dedicated on May 27, 1888. The building measured 54 by 86 feet, with a spire 152 feet high. With the dedication of this building began the longest term of pastoral service in the history of the congregation. The Rev. Dr. E. S. Brownmiller served the congregation forty years; 1889 - 1929. Tragically, On Sunday, February 4, 1912 about 5 pm the first brick church burned to the ground.
. Immediate steps were taken to replace the building. On November 24, 1912, in rain and snow, the second brick church was dedicated. The church itself stood on the old foundation and basement walls of the former edifice.
Disaster struck again on the evening of June 28, 1945, when lightning ignited a fire which completely destroyed the second brick church. After this second fire the Lutheran and Reformed congregations agreed to build separate edifices.
In August of 1947 ground was broken for the building which serves as the main portion of our church today. On April 17, 1949, the congregation used the building for the first time for Easter Communion and Sunday School.
In 1959 the Scout Cabin and Parsonage were constructed. A major building addition, effectively doubling the interior space of the church, was constructed and dedicated in 1992.
Zion (Spies) Lutheran Dates of Interest
circa 1757 - First log church built
1774 - Second log church built
1810 - Stone church built (pictured above)
1818 - deed received from John & William Penn
1888 - May 27, First brick church dedicated
1912 - February 4, church destroyed by fire
Nov. 24, Second brick church dedicated
1945 - June 28, church destroyed by fire
1946 - Lutheran and Reformed congregations
agree to build separate edifices
1949 - April 17, Current main building opened
1958 - Parsonage and Boy Scout Cabin built
1992 - Church renovated & building addition built
2010 - Construction of Elevator Addition