Zion United Methodist Church in South Haven celebrated its 125th anniversary Sunday, Sept. 18, at the church. Several former pastors came to participate; those who couldn?Äôt come, sent letters. An afternoon program included comments from former pastors and from church members. All the pastors commented that Zion had been a strong influence in forming their careers; many of the pastors sent to Zion were fresh out of seminary, or nearly so.
The church began in 1891 as Zion Evangelical Church. Gethsemane Evangelical closed in 1920 and merged with Zion. In 1953 the greater church merged to become Evangelical United Brethren; this merged with Methodist in 1968.
The current church building is the third one for Zion; it was built in 1963.
Zion UMC became part of a Tri-Community Parish with Annandale and Kimball in 1966; in 1974 it became a Bi-Parish with Kimball. In 2012, Zion became allied again with Annandale as the joint agreement with Kimball ended.
Over the years, 45 pastors have served Zion, with heavy participation by lay members of the church. Above, Pastor Ruth Hograbe leads the program.
Staff photo by Jean Doran Matua.