Zion Lutheran Church - Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 36° 45.666 W 090° 23.682
15S E 732555 N 4071536
Historic Lutheran Church in the North Main Street Historic District in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
Waymark Code: WMHNQ2
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 07/28/2013
Views: 2
"450 N. Main Street; ca. 1947. [c]
Architect: McGowan Brothers
Zion Lutheran Church Building
A one and one-half story Tudor Revival style church with side gable and intersecting gable wing constructed of rusticated stone block. The roof is clad in tile shingles with stucco and faux half-timbering in the gable ends. Façade features a front gable entry with paired red doors. A pediment roof above the entry is supported by large decorated brackets. Centered in the gable front entry is a stepped parapet wall with a bell at the top. Windows are original multi-pane glazing casement and stained glass. Centered in the rear (east) elevation gable end is a stone chimney with a clay pot. A concrete sidewalk leads from the rear of the church to the Zion Lutheran School Building and to the Zion Lutheran House." - Historic District Nomination
From church website:
"Zion was begun under the direction of the then "Western District Mission Board" in September 1896 when Candidate H.C. Frese began regular services. He also started a school, which, at that time, was a requirement for synodical membership. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church U.A.C. was formally organized February 18, 1897, with 30 baptized members and 18 communicants. Worship services were held in various church buildings in the community, until the first white framed chapel was build at Ninth and Cedar around 1899. This building served the congregation for the next 46 years. The school, however, was discontinued in 1899 due to the pastor's poor health.
Over the next 40 years the congregation had her ups and downs. At times Zion was served by her own pastor and at times being by vacancy pastors. Between 1920 and 1963 Zion was part of a dual parish arrangement with St. Matthews Lutheran Church of Corning, Arkansas.
In 1943, Zion purchased property at the current location on Main and Relief. The present structure was completed and dedicated in 1947, when Zion had 130 communicants.
Zion Lutheran School was started in the basement fellowship hall in 1952, and the school building was completed in 1954. Classes, however, were discontinued in 2004."
The church is in very good condition and continues to serve its active congregation.