The 100 Year History of Zion

The history of the Zion Lutheran Church of Manning, Iowa, dates back to the early days of the town of Manning, which was founded in 1881, and actually, prior to that. Early settlers began arriving in this area in the 1870s. They came from Davenport and Lyons, Iowa, (now Clinton) attracted by the fertile soil.

Manning's settlers were mostly natives of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and Hannover, Germany. These first pioneers were so pleased with the good soils that they soon wrote to their relatives and friends in Germany to come to America. They even furnished passage money and, as a result, many people came from the old country to Manning, Iowa.

God blessed the labors of their hands. The settlers were not afraid to work. Most of them had developed saving habits and in a short time were able to repay their passage money, rent a farm, and eventually become land owners.

Of course, the early settlers also experienced many hardships. Army worms, grasshoppers, drought, prairie fires, and hail storms took a heavy toll and nearly discouraged the people. Homes were very modest and when three-day snow storms blew across the treeless prairie, it brought much suffering. Prices for farm products were very low, but interest on loans was very high, often 20 to 30 percent. It was only by the grace of God that the early settlers endured.

Soon after the country had a few settlers here and there, mission-minded pastors came and gathered the people, most of whom were from Lutheran provinces, and preached to them. Among the men who are gratefully acknowledged are: Pastor W. Mallon from Cooper, Iowa; Pastor Hermann from Arcadia, Iowa; Pastor Sessler from Sheridan Township, now Lidderdale, Iowa; Pastor O. Haar from Denison, Iowa, who always walked the prairies; Pastor Fred Ehlers from Adair, Iowa, and Pastor Anton Ehlers from Lincoln Township, Audubon County, Iowa.

Without regard to weather, these pastors came to Manning, gathered people into homes and school houses, preached to them the Word of God and baptized their children.

These mission workers had to contend with much godlessness and wickedness. A Lutheran Church was not wanted and, consequently, the preachers were ridiculed. The Gospel, however, is never preached in vain. A small flock was gathered and services were conducted once or twice a month on Sunday afternoon in the Presbyterian Church building.

Attending church was not an easy thing for people to do. They too, were laughed at and ridiculed by the many unchurched people in Manning. Yet they went to church. They were faithful, and due to their love for God's Word, work began in earnest.

In 1893, Pastor Martin Bruggemann was stationed at Manilla, Iowa. He preached regularly at Manning. He taught children and adults, baptizing and confirming them in the faith.

In 1896 Pastor C. Krog succeeded Pastor Bruggemann at Manilla and continued ministering to the people at Manning until January of 1903.

Pastor Krog was a faithful and tireless worker. He seemed to know what to do to win souls for the Kingdom of God. No trips were too far for him. He did, however, face adversity. It is told, for example, that one night during a severe storm Pastor Krog became lost. Finally, after sighting a light he decided to ask for a night's lodging. The farmer answered the knock at the door, but upon recognizing Pastor Krog, the farmer told him to move on or he would send the dogs after him.

In spite of discouragements, the work of the pastor was blessed. On November 29, 1900, Zion Church was organized. The chosen name of the church was The First German Evangelical-Lutheran Zion Congregation Unaltered Augsburg Confession of Manning, Carroll County, Iowa.

Ten members signed the constitution, namely: Frederick Rutz, Boy Sonksen, D.F. Nulle, D.H. Nulle, Jens Paulsen, Herman Ullerich, Edward Hagemann, William Ohrt, Claus Struve, and Ed Schultz.

Seven months later, on July 7, 1901, planning began to acquire property on which to erect a church building.

Jurgen (George) Ohde presented a 50x132' lot to the congregation, and an adjoining lot of the same dimension was purchased from Ohde for $250.00.

A building committee consisting of Pastor C. Krog, D.H. Nulle, Boy Sonksen, Fred Rutz and Ed Hagemann was appointed to plan the church building. They decided to construct a 28x36' building for $1,234.55.

The first church, located on what is now known as Second Street, was dedicated to the service of the Triune God on November 9, 1902.

Construction of the church had its difficulties. During deliberations prior to erection of the church three members withdrew from the congregation because of differing opinions. Two of the members later returned to the church.

Approximately two months after the dedication of the church Pastor Krog accepted a call to Atkins, Iowa. Neighboring pastors served the Zion congregation until a new pastor, Herman W. Saeger from the Seminary of St. Louis, Missouri, was installed in July, 1903.

The following year, on September 4, 1904, Pastor J.M. Ansorge, from the Seminary of St. Louis, Missouri, was ordained and installed as the first resident pastor of Zion by Pastor Herman W. Saeger.

While the church was packed for the ordination and installation service, the next Sunday, when the new pastor preached his first sermon, only 25 people were present. Often there was not a single man attending the church service and one of the ladies had to pass the collection plate.

At the time the new pastor was beginning his ministry the practices of the Lutheran faith were rather unknown, especially regarding burials. Lutheran burial services were given to Lutheran Christians. The new pastor was soon asked to conduct a burial service for a person who had never attended the church in Manning. Pastor Ansorge explained the Lutheran practice and finally offered to conduct the service if he would be assured that the person in question had died as a Christian. The result was a huge first-time issue for the church.

The storm that followed lasted a long time and threatened to disrupt the small flock, but it also made clear the position of the church and people were either for the church or against it.

Progress was slow. In 1907 a small parsonage was built east of the church. On June 26 of that year the pastor was united in marriage with Gertrude Heinke, daughter of Pastor F.W. Heinke of Wiota, Iowa.

Gertrude Ansorge became a very faithful and most efficient pastor's wife. Not only did she raise a fine family of four sons and one daughter, but she also helped everywhere in the church. Pastor Ansorge stated that, next to the work of God Almighty, he credited growth of the congregation to the faithful service of Gertrude at his side. She served as the church organist and choir director. She was a good Sunday School teacher, leading little lambs to the knowledge of Jesus.

Zion's congregation grew, but slowly. Opposition to the church became very pronounced because the congregation and pastor held strictly to Lutheran practice. At one time it seemed that the church would always remain a little flock, barely able to hold its own with every member working faithfully to hold the congregation above water. But, the adversity was deemed a blessing in disguise for it welded the few members of the congregation closer together and has been referred to as possibly the best and most blessed period of the existence of Zion.

Worship services, up until this time, had always been conducted in the German language. In January, 1916, Pastor Ansorge began to provide a service in the English language, while continuing to provide German services too.