The cornerstone of Zion's second church, erected in 1920 was recovered August 18, 1961, so that its contents could be placed in the cornerstone of the new structure. Above, Pastor Eschenbacher looks through the contents of the new cornerstone which included a hymnal, synodical publications, a list of church officers, building committee, architects and builders, pastor, vicar, President of the United States, Mayor of the town of Manning, members of the congregation and a copy of the local newspaper.


Pastor Eschenbacher and the new church cornerstone.

The construction included the purchase of a new two manual, 19-rank Casavant organ.

The educational unit consists of 30 individual classrooms and a number of multi-purpose rooms. And on the south end of the spacious, 32x90' fellowship hall is a large kitchen.

Approximately 2,300 assembled on February 17, 1963, when the new church was dedicated to the service of the Triune God.

The organ in the old church was sold to a Lutheran congregation in Cedar Falls, Iowa, for $4,450.00, and on April 26, 1963, the former Zion Lutheran Church located on Second Street was sold to the congregation of Botna Baptist Church for $12,000.00.

May 6, 1963 in the basement of the old Lutheran church on Second street.
Left to right: Bill Brus, Charles Fielweber, Bill Ramsey, Bill Dammann, John Musfeldt, Wilbur Lamp, Herb Hass, Ray Vanderheiden

In December of 1963, Pastor Eschenbacher accepted a call to Sauk Center, Minnesota. For the following year, from January until late November, during the pastoral vacancy, the congregation was served by Pastor Gerhard Hattendorf of Trinity Lutheran Church, Audubon, assisted by Vicar Garry Dassow.


Pastor George & Hulda Eschenbacher in Sauk Center.

Pastor Edward F. Heinicke accepted the call of the Zion congregation, coming to Manning from Amarillo, Texas. He was installed as pastor on November 29, 1964. He went on to serve the Lord's people at Zion for the next 19 years.

On June 13, 1967, construction of the church parsonage was completed and became the home of Pastor and Nadine Heinicke and their seven children.