ZION United Church of Christ (St. Joe)
The story of Zion United Church of Christ begins in Germany in the first half of the nineteenth century There were hard times in Europe at that time in history. Many people looked to America as a way to escape the hard times and find a better life. There were two especially heavy waves of immigrants from Germany, one in 1832 and another in 1848. Many of these German immigrants came to the Illinois area where Zion Church is located. Many were of the Evangelical faith, a combination of the Reformed and the Lutheran traditions. In 1853 the Immanuel Congregation, a Lutheran church, was organized by Pastor Birkmann of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wartburg. It was located across the road from Zion's present day location. Erecting a church was discussed in October of 1853. This never happened as a split occurred in the young congregation soon after the founding. It is uncertain as to why this happened. Those that broke away started meeting in the Hartmann home located ½ mile northeast of the present church.
In the fall of 1860 the group felt it was strong enough to build a church and call a pastor. In October 1860 Rev. Louis Haeberle was sent to organize the congregation. A log church and parsonage were built on land deeded to the congregation November 18, 1861 by Carl and Elenora Hartmann. The church was known as "The Hartmann Church" for many years. Rev. Louis Haeberle accepted a call from a group of Evangelical Christians in Maeystown who had been worshipping under Rev. Birkmann of the Wartburg Lutheran Church. Rev. Haeberle preached his first sermon in Maeystown on the first Sunday in Advent 1860. From that time through 1865, Zion and St. John shared a minister.
In 1863 Rev. Haeberle was called to a church in St. Louis and Rev. Friederich A.Umbeck became the next pastor at Zion. Shortly after he started as pastor, he was drafted into the Union army. Rev. Umbeck later wrote, "I was drafted into the war. In 1864 the draft of Monroe County was such that so many men must go; the call came to me and also to the Catholic priest in Waterloo. The Catholics in Waterloo sent a substitute. My people spoke of it too, but such a substitute cost $100 to $600. Such a sum of money was considered impossible to raise." Umbeck was mustered into the Union Army in November 1864.
In 1884 it was decided there was a need for a new sanctuary. The congregation decided to build a brick structure to replace the original log church. The laying of the cornerstone was reported in the newsletter of the Evangelical Church. It probably contained the following items: a constitution of the church, the names of those who contributed to the building, the statutes of the church body, and a catechism. The old church building remained standing until 1928. It was used as a Parochial school (German School). The children would stop attending public school and enroll in the German School for 2 years. They learned the Catechism and also had parochial classes. The classes were taught in German. Starting in the 1920's confirmation classes and worship were held in English rather than German.
Over the years many changes and improvements have been made. In 1922 the congregation voted to construct a new parsonage. The old building was demolished and the original rock foundation crushed and used for the concrete foundation of the house. In 1925 maple trees were brought from the Mississippi River bottom and planted in the park area in front of the house and the church. Zion's sanctuary has been redecorated several times over the years. The most recent redecoration occurred in 2010. The present organ was purchased in 1948 and the art glass windows were installed in 1949. Since then there have been a number of improvements - PA system, a new furnace, air conditioning, and a piano. For many years Zion and St. John's at Fults shared a minister. Many student ministers from Eden Seminary learned the fine points of ministry from these two congregations.
The massive flood of 1993 ended the joint ministry when St. John's decided to close. The church along the Kaskaskia Road has seen many changes in the world and Monroe County. It has quietly gone about its work day after day, year after year, and decade after decade. Even though the Kaskaskia Trail has turned from mud to paved road, the little white church with a rooster on the steeple has remained constant.
Our History
Zion (St. Joe) United Church of Christ has a long history of being a strong and resilient congregation that is able to withstand the many challenges and changes that take place in the world around us. Today, Zion (St. Joe) continues to be a vibrant and impactful congregation as they continue to live out their mission to “share the love, mercy, and grace of God revealed to us through Jesus of Nazareth, the Risen Christ, and to employ the power of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives.” Zion (St. Joe) lives out this mission in a variety of ways and partnerships. Supporting the missions and ministries of the United Church of Christ denomination, DuBois Center, Uni-Pres Kindercottage, House of Neighborly Services, and Hoyleton Youth and Family services has long been an essential part of their ministry and continues to be to this day.
Zion (St. Joe) is known for its many fundraisers that provide opportunities for the congregation to interact and share the light of Christ with the surrounding area. Twice a year a BBQ is held in the Waterloo Rural King parking lot. In the fall the congregation comes together to make their delicious apple butter. Over the course of two days the apples are peeled and prepared, cooked for several hours in large kettles over wood fires, and then sealed in jars ready to be sold. During DeBois Center's Fall Festival Zion (St. Joe) supports the organization and its event by making and selling old fashioned kettle corn over a wood fire. Although these events and fundraisers are indeed a lot of work they serve to unite and bond the congregation together as one family seeking to serve God and neighbor.
In 2022 Zion (St. Joe) sought to undertake a massive rehabilitation to the exterior of their church facility. Over the years nature and the southern Illinois weather had taken its toll on the beautiful sanctuary. At a time when most churches would say “we can’t” Zion (St. Joe) united to say “we will!” After raising over $80,000, renovations began and were completed in September of 2022. This accomplishment was no small feat and points to the incredible determination and resilience of this faithful congregation.
In recent years Zion (St. Joe) has partnered with St. John UCC of Maeystown to create a joint Youth Group. This impactful Youth Group has a passion for ministry and serves the church and community in a variety of ways. Each year this dedicated group brings Easter to the youth at Hoyleton. The Youth Group provides a day of fun, food, and a visit from the Easter bunny himself while also reflecting the love of Christ into the community of Hoyleton. Through a variety of fundraisers this Youth Group continues to acquire funds that they hold with open hands and are quick to utilize to help “the least of these” in the local community and beyond.
Over the past year the Spirit has been moving throughout the Zion (St. Joe) community in powerful ways. As a result a few new initiatives such as the Monthly Kickoff have come into existence. Every first Sunday of the month Zion (St. Joe) has a Monthly Kickoff where they come together to worship, share in Holy Communion, enjoy the music of special guests, and gather for desserts and fellowship in the church hall after the service. Another new and exciting initiative is the Sunday School Bell Choir who had their first performance on Christmas Eve of 2024. Zion (St. Joe) continues to have a faithful and dedicated choir who sings the third Sunday of every month.
Over the years Zion (St. Joe) has witnessed the world continue to change around them, and yet their commitment to Jesus Christ remains the same. In 1853 a small group of individuals came together in the Hartmann home to form the congregation that would later become Zion Evangelical Church. This group was founded on the love of God and neighbor. Today in the year 2025 this reality is continually being lived out as the congregation of Zion (St. Joe) continues to transform the world around them by walking in the light and love of Jesus Christ.
