(Note: The following is a reprint of the historical sketch which appeared in the 75th Anniversary Booklet of the congregation. The Rev. Arthur J Niemann, who was Pastor of Zion at that time, compiled the information with the assistance of the Rev. Ludwig Karcher, also a former Pastor of the congregation. The only additions made to the original article are those necessary to bring the historical information up to date. A second updating with additions of other areas of Zion's activities were accomplished in 1982.)
Since the minutes for the first ten years of the congregation's history are lost, no accurate dates can be given for some of the early events and transactions of the congregation. Volume I of the Congregation's soul and other records has inscribed on its title page: "Church Record of Zion Ev. Luth. Congregation, UAC, at Anderson, Grimes County, Texas, organized October 12, 1882." Also, the date of entry into the congregation for many of the voting members and their families is given as October 12, 1882. Again the minutes of August 28, 1892 contain a resolution to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the congregation on October 12. However, from other data compiled by the Rev. Ludwig Karcher from charter members of the congregation there must have been some form of organization before that date. It is pretty evident that the church in which the congregation worships was dedicated November 12, 1882, for there is in existence a poem that Mr. Christian Becker wrote on the occasion of the Church's dedication which is dated November 12, 1882. The writer of this history is of the opinion that October 12, 1882, is the date when the constitution of the congregation was formally adopted, but that a definite organization as a congregation existed earlier.
(The above information appeared in the 90th Anniversary Booklet of the congregation except the second sentence updating.)

Zion Lutheran Congregation was organized by a group of German immigrants that had settled in and around Anderson, called the "Rome of Texas," because it is built on one of seven hills. These immigrants came for the most part from Westfalen, a province of Germany bordering on the Netherlands. However, a few came from the Rhineland, others from Hannover, and others from Mecklenburg. The chief cause for the immigration from Germany was great poverty, low wages, and high taxes in the homeland. But how did they come to immigrate to Anderson? One man was responsible, a man who had settled in Anderson as early as 1867. This man was Christian Becker. He made it possible for the immigrants to come to America by advancing them the money for their passage to this country. Due to circumstances under which immigrants emigrated they had to pass through a severe struggle for existence during the first years of their residence in Anderson, and had to practice the strictest economy to repay Mr. Becker the money he had advanced them. But they testified that under the providence of God matters never came to the point where they were in actual want. The people spoke a Westfalen low German among themselves, and some of their descendants of the third generation still spoke it to their parents and grandparents in 1957. However high German was used mostly in the pastoral care of the members. Also the parochial school, which was established soon after the organization of the congregation, contributed much to the cultivation of high German. Services were conducted exclusively in the German language, as was also the religious instruction in the parochial school for confirmation.

(The following data concerning the organization of the congregation were gathered by Rev. Ludwig Karcher from the following charter members of the congregation who were still living during the time of his ministry: Henry Schroeder, Fritz Pistler, Fritz Miller, Christian Boehm, and Christian Molitor.)
"Since these immigrants were Lutherans they early began to look around for services of a Lutheran pastor. They succeeded in obtaining the services of the Rev. P. Klindworth of William Penn in Washington County. Rev. Klindworth rode horseback to Anderson every two or three months. Services were conducted in the homes of the members. For confirmation instruction the first families sent their children to William Penn. It was not until 1881, after a group of families had come over in 1880 and another in 1881, that an Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was organized under the leadership of Pastor Klindworth. An organization was effected in May of this year, 1881. Charter members were: Christian Abke, Christian Becker, John F. H. Becker, Phil W. Ad. Becker, Christian Boehm Herman J.F. Busse, Carl W.H. Eickenhorst, George Ehrenpfort, F.W.H. Jung, Henry Lang, Franz H. Schafstall, Fritz H.P. Schroeder, F. Henry Schroeder, and Fritz Moeller. Building operations were begun in July 1882 and were completed in time for dedication November 12, 1882. Construction of the building was carried out under the direction of Messers, Goodyear, and Siddall. Members of the congregation contributed much of the labor. According to reports the foundation pillars, constructed of stone, were built by Messers. Chris. Boehm, Herman Horn, and Henry Hemann. The lumber, as well as the massive beams resting on the foundation, was brought by ox-cart from the sawmill at Willy Post in the neighborhood of Apolonia by Fritz Moeller and others. The church was completed in five months." According to the information gathered by Pastor Karcher, Candidate Clarence Seirks was installed as pastor of the congregation on the day of the church's dedication by Pastor Klindworth. But this can not be correct, since according to the statistical records of Synod, Clarence Seirks was not ordained until October 28, 1883, and the first recorded baptism by Pastor Seirks is given under the date of October 28, 1883, namely that of Fritz Henry Will Hemann. It seems that Mr. Seirks served the congregation as vicar from the time of the dedication of the church building until he was ordained and installed as pastor on October 21, 1883, about a year later.

• Rev. P. Klindworth - May 1881-1883.
  
• Rev. Clarence Seirks - He apparently served as vicar for one year before being installed as pastor on October 12, 1883. Served the congregation until his death on January 8, 1886.
  
• Rev. Emmanuel Eckhart - September 19, 1886-1907.
  
• Rev. Herman Foerster - June 1908 and served the congregation until his death on February 11, 1913.
  
• Rev. Paul Miertschin - August 31, 1913 - 1921.
  
• Rev. G.A. Obenhaus - October 1922-1924.
  
• Rev. W.P. Urban - March 29, 1925-1931.
  
• Rev. Ludwig Karcher - October 12, 1932-1947.
  
• Rev. Arthur J. Niemann - February 1, 1948-1959.
  
• Rev. Larry Miller - July 14, 1963-1966.
  
• Rev. Alvin G. Meissner - December 18, 1966-1976.
  
• Rev. Joseph Lowery - 1977-March 1981.
  
• Vacancy pastor Mr. Ed Wacholz - Lay minister - January 15, 1981-April 25, 1982.
  
• Rev. Melvin Boehlke - April 25, 1982-1988.
  
• Rev. Klebe W. Brumble - December 4, 1988-1991.
  
• Vacancy pastor Rev. W.H. Wetzstein - Ret. - September 1991-1992.
  
• Rev. Dan Schoessow - August 16, 1992-Present.
  

Es hat dem lieben Gott gefallen An diesem deutschen Nachbarsort Zu bauen eine Goteshalle Zum verkuenden Gottes Wort. Heut', da die ersten Chorgesaenge Wir in dieser Kirche singen Und die erste Predigtklaenge Hier zu unserm Herzen dringen Wollen wir uns heut' vereinen Zu dieser neuen Kirchweih. Wollen allesamt erscheinen Zu preisen Gotts Guet' und Treu'. Ach lieber Gott, steh' uns doch bei Und helf uns stets erhalten Die Kirche, die wir heute weih'n, Von allen Glaubensspalten. Behuet sie auch for boesen Tagen, Vor Unglueck, Anfechtung and Plagen, Damit, dass uns doch nie vergisst, Wah heute hier gechehen ist Im Namen der Dreieinigkeit,

Von nun an bis in Ewigkeit. Gott wolle uns auch stets behueten Vor falscher Predigt, falsher Lehr'. Er wolle uns durch sein Wort gebieten Die reine Predigt, reine Lehr'. Auch wolle Gott mit seinen Frieden Die Gemeinde stets erhalten, Dass Eintracht blueht als zwischen Brueder Und Gottesfurcht ihr stets obwaltet. Wir bitten unsern Lieben Gott Um die Bildung unsrer Jungend, Dass an diesem heil'gen Ort Unsere Jungend lerne Tungend; Dass unsere Jungend nie vergisst, Was heute hier geschehen ist Im Namen der Dreieiniekeit Von nun an bis in Ewigkeit. Amen Am 12ten November 1882 Christian Becker.

It has pleased God To erect a divine temple For the preaching of his word In this German pilgrims' place. Today as we sing in this church The first choir anthems And the first sermons Resound to our hearts, We unite here For the dedication of This new sanctuary. We all appear here To praise the goodness And faithfulness of God. Oh, dear Lord, help us By Thy constant presence To support the church Which we now dedicate. And keep it from all dissensions of faith. Keep us also from all evil days. From calamity, trial and plagues

In order that we may never forget What has taken place here today. In the name of the Holy Trinity, May God keep us also from False preaching and false teaching. May he also constantly keep This congregation in peace So that harmony may ever prevail As between brethren And the fear of God may continue. We also ask our precious Lord To bless our young people That here they may learn virtue So that also our youth may never forget What has taken place here today. In the name of the Holy Trinity, Now and forever unto all eternity. Amen. November 12, 1882 Christian Becker.

The above information was taken in whole or in part from the centennial booklet; "A Century of Grace" with changes only made to update the list of pastors.

In 1938, the bell tower and two rooms were added to the west end of the church building. Also, the entrance was moved from the east end of the building to the west end addition.

Three years later, voters authorized construction of a new parsonage. The kitchen of the old parsonage was converted into a parish hall, and dedicated on July 1, 1962.

On June 27, 1993, Zion held a ground-breaking service for the construction of a new education building. That fall, seven "Laborers for Christ" couples from around the country moved onto our property and constructed the building. It was dedicated on May 1, 1994.

At dawn on Saturday, August 23, 1997, an electrical storm came over Anderson and lightning hit the steeple of the 115-year-old church, setting it afire. Within the hour attempts to save the building and its contents failed. All was lost.

As the ashes were still smoldering on Sunday morning, August 24, 1997, members gathered in the Education Building for their usual Sunday morning worship services. As the news spread around the area and country, help began pouring in. With the insurance monies and the outpouring of donations from fellow Christians, the community, and fund-raising activities, Zion Lutheran Church has been enabled by God to rise again from the ashes with the construction of a new house of worship.

On March 30, 1998, the slab for the new sanctuary was poured. Six "Laborers for Christ" couples began construction in April, working alongside members of the congregation. The first worship service in the new sanctuary was held on September 13, 1998, and dedicated on May 2, 1999.

A new parsonage was started in June of 2000 and the Pastor and his family moved-in in November of the same year.