The History of Zion Lutheran Church
In giving the history of the congregation "The Planting Story of the Minnesota district" by the Rev. H. Meyer and the rather incomplete records of the congregation served as guides. We learned that larger congregations called missionaries, who were to be assistants. In that way they established a central point of activity from which the surrounding mission territory could be more easily worked. The Rev. W. Friedrich, pastor of Waconia, Carver County, Minnesota had charge of the missionary interests of the northwest in the year 1870. He succeeded in persuading his congregation to call an assistant pastor, whose principle duty would be within possible range, to go in quest of pastorless places and families, and minister to them. The person was candidate Henry Vetter, who had graduated from Concordia Seminary. He was ordained and installed as pastor and missionary on July 28, 1872.
Already on the 30th of July he started on a
mission journey into the northwest of our state, especially into the counties of
Todd, Douglas, Ottertail, and the settlements on the Red River and the upper
Minnesota River.
The Lord, Himself, provided the proper messenger and opened the doors to him; and the Lord of the Church so richly blessed the mission activity of this man that is stands without a parallel in the history of our District.
The Missionary Vetter reported regularly regarding his activity to the pastoral conference of Minnesota, sad to say, his reports are to all appearance lost; or they lie hidden and forgotten. For about three years Missionary Vetter labored with wonderful results, and we possess but meager reports of it all. From a report in the year 1874, we learn the Pastor Vetter's field of labor included the counties of Wright, Meeker, Kandiyohi, Stearns, Benton, Morrison, Todd, Becker, Ottertail, Douglas, Stevens, Pope, Big Stone, Swift, Chippewa, Renville, and Redwood. It is said that at one time more than 500 families, at no less than 42 different places, were under his spiritual care. He carried on his mission work systematically, dividing the territory into three circuits - the St. Cloud Circuit, the Sauk Centre Circuit, and the Dakota Circuit - and serving these places to the best of his ability.
In these large circuits he organized preaching stations and congregations as outposts from which he could do mission work into the northern and southern parts of the state. Such preaching stations were Leaf Valley, Elizabeth, Fairfield, Montevideo, and Big Stone. making his home in the Fairfield Township the Rev. Vetter served the Fairfield congregation until February 1888, moving to Montevideo some months later where he became pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran St. John's congregation. In 1889 St. John's congregation granted him permission to serve the congregation at Tyro, Raymond, Havelock, and a small congregation west of Montevideo.
In the spring of 1889 a number of Lutherans living in Tyro Township had their first meeting at the home of Henry Rogge, Sr. Frederick Rabe and Gottlieb Kelm were elected to visit Rev. Vetter near Montevideo and ask him to come and conduct services. In May or June, Rev. Vetter came, and services were held in the school house of District 53. Pastor Vetter conducted services once a month. Reading services were held by Frederick Rabe. Pastor Vetter served this territory from 1889-1895. It was during the spring and summer of 1889 that plans were made and carried out for the building of a church. The church was dedicated in the summer of 1890. Rev. Vetter preached the dedicatory sermon. Frederick Eckhardt, Sr. and his sons, Otto and Fred, built the first church. The cost was approximately $600 which included the altar, pulpit and other fixtures. Mr. Eckhardt received $100 for his work. The members hauled the stones for the foundation, which was made by Andreas Wissner. Lumber was hauled from Boyd.
Keep watching for more history!! We will eventually get some more on!! :)