After sporadic efforts were made to start the Lutheran presence in the Palo Verde Valley through the

1930’s and 1940’s, it was not until 1949 that work and worship services were begun by a Lutheran pastor

from Yuma, Arizona, Rev. E. Boxdorfer. The first service was February 20, 1949. The congregation was

formally organized in 1950. In early 1950 Rev. Otto from Indio served until the first call went out to

Pastor H.W. “Mike” Mitschke who was the first resident pastor.

Zion was incorporated in 1952 under Pastor Mitschke, and property was also purchased that year. The

groundbreaking for the church was held in September 1952. The church was literally built by church

members and completed in 1954. The parsonage, primarily designed by Pastor Mitschke’s wife Erma,

was finished in 1955. The church flourished under his leadership. Pastor Mitschke also served Grace

Lutheran in Needles and commuted between the two churches by automobile and private airplane.

Pastor Harold Daum, a new graduate from the Seminary, came in 1956. While here, he established a

preaching station in Parker, Arizona. Vacancy pastors served between 1963 and 1964, and during that

time 3 acres of land were purchased to the north of the church from a member, Mr. Nick Caproni.

From 1964 to 1968 Pastor Richard Peterson served Zion. During his pastorate the fellowship hall and

the classroom on the east side of the church was built and dedicated in 1967. Pastor John Meether then

came and served from 1968 to 1973.

In 1973, Pastor Gerald “Gerry” Hoemann was called. In 1975 Messiah Lutheran in Parker became

self-supporting, and Pastor Hoemann no longer served both churches. In 1979 Rev. Grant Kilps was

called to work at Zion with Pastor Hoemann and to open a mission church in Quartzsite, Arizona, and to

begin a Lutheran school at Zion. The Quartzsite mission opened in 1980, and the Zion Lutheran School

opened in the fall of 1981. Pastor Hoemann’s wife Paula was one of two teachers who began the school.

Following Rev. Kilps, Mr. Lonn Maly was called to be the principal, and he came to Zion with his wife

Julie, a called Lutheran teacher. They served fourteen years. The school increased to an enrollment of

120, with 6 full-time teachers. The educational wing was added on the west side of the property to

accommodate the increase of students. Pastor Hoemann also formed a Counseling Center that provided

low-income Christian counseling to the community.

In 1987 a development committee consisting of Lanney Allen, Catherine Brisco, Charley Graham, and

Ernie Weeks worked with the Holt Group to expand the church to a seating capacity of 320 and to add

additional classrooms. The church was remodeled and modernized. The parsonage was converted into an

office complex. The dedication of the new facilities took place in 1988. Pastor Hoemann retired in 2005.

In 2005 Pastor Mark Hoffmann came with his wife Lori to serve Zion. During his time, the church went

solar and adopted the church Mission Statement, Church Motto, and Logo. Zion also celebrated its 60 th

anniversary. Other activities were the yearly talent show, BBQ fundraisers, and Progressive Dinners.

Pastor Mark Yaeger served Zion from 2015 to 2017. Pastor Jonathan Manthei served from 2019 until

2026. During his time, he introduced Trunk or Treat as an alternative to Halloween and spearheaded the

Advent and Lenten soup suppers.

To God be all the glory for all that has transpired over the years here at Zion. May these 77 years be just a

small beginning to a continuing great future. We look forward to what God has planned for Zion’s future

mission….

SOLI DEO GLORIA