What We Believe

Regardless of age, race, or status in life, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) welcome you to join this community of faith. If you’re unfamiliar with our church, some of what you learn may surprise you.

The ELCA is an engaged, active body of people who put faith in God into action -- in millions of ways, all over the world. Join us!

We are a community of faith that lives by faith in Christ Jesus, prepares Christ’s disciples, and shares God’s love.

We envision Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church to be:

  • a vibrant, caring Christian fellowship, and an integral member of our civic community, providing an array of opportunities that prepare individuals to follow Christ’s example and serve others’ spiritual and physical needs while spreading the Good News of salvation.

  • a church that takes pride in its Lutheran heritage while still respecting the needs of new brothers and sisters in Christ – a church that praises and glorifies God in an atmosphere that welcomes tradition, accommodates change, and affirms God’s sacrificial love for all.

  • a congregation of varied personalities and backgrounds who seeks to know and do God’s will; who grow in Christian love for each other; and who eagerly sow the seed of the Gospel in the hearts and minds of others as God supplies them with the opportunity.

History of our Church

Our Beginnings

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1865 at Roger's Corners after separating from St. Thomas Evangelical Lutheran church to form a more northern and western location. The original church building was dedicated in 1867 with a church council consisting of Jacob Eschelbach, Michael Hinderer, and John Schenk. The congregation has a rich German heritage based on the concentration of German immigrants in Freedom Township.  All services were conducted in German until 1930. In 1949, a new parish hall was dedicated and a sanctuary was built above it in 1974. Another addition in 1994 added offices and meeting space. 

Our congregation continues its Lutheran legacy blending tradition enriched by the increasing diversity of our membership. In 2015, we celebrated our 150th anniversary with a variety of activities that led up to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. We are one of more than 100 congregations in the Southeast Michigan Synod of the ELCA.