Our Story
It all started in 1915 when Pastor E. Marxhousen of Mission, S.D. conducted services in the home of Mr. August Krause. But there were struggles in the years to follow and work did not go as well as planned. For some time (from 1927 to early 1933) no services were held in Valentine, although Pastor Eulert of Crookston continued work in the town. But then, in May of 1933, services were held every two weeks by Pastor Hackbarth of Mission. As the work continued, eventually a congregation began to take shape. That congregation would officially be organized on October 7, 1934 as Zion's Lutheran Church and became affiliated with the Wisconsin Synod. A few years down the road, in September 1943, Zion's Lutheran Christian Day School opened. Throughout this time the congregation has faced various up-and-downs, times of prosperity and difficulty. But there is one thing that has remained constant: the Word of God and the promises God gives to his people.
Our Beliefs
We are a Biblical church giving God's word first place in our faith and life.
We are Lutheran church that proclaims forgiveness for all through Jesus Christ.
We are Christian church that gathers to praise God, be strengthened by his Word, and to reach out to those around us in Christian love.
If you are interested in a more detailed examination of our beliefs, download one of the PDFs below. "This We Believe" is a statement of beliefs from our national church body, and the Augsburg Confession is the historic document teaching what Lutheran churches believe, teach, and confess.
We are Lutheran church that proclaims forgiveness for all through Jesus Christ.
We are Christian church that gathers to praise God, be strengthened by his Word, and to reach out to those around us in Christian love.
If you are interested in a more detailed examination of our beliefs, download one of the PDFs below. "This We Believe" is a statement of beliefs from our national church body, and the Augsburg Confession is the historic document teaching what Lutheran churches believe, teach, and confess.
Our Heritage
Zion is a proud member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). The WELS has been around since 1850 currently serving nearly 400,000 Christians in North America and supports mission work in 25 countries around the world.
Zion follows the Bible as the first and foremost authority. We also hold to the Lutheran Confessions. These documents were prepared in the 16th century during the Lutheran Reformation. Obviously, life is not the same today as it was in the 1500s. Fortunately for us, in this changing world, God remains the same forever. The truths of grace, love, redemption and the practical wisdom for life God gives us in his Word are just as real and useful today. We seek to share the life giving message of Jesus, honoring the past and looking to the future. For more information about what is in the Lutheran confessions, click on the button below.
Zion follows the Bible as the first and foremost authority. We also hold to the Lutheran Confessions. These documents were prepared in the 16th century during the Lutheran Reformation. Obviously, life is not the same today as it was in the 1500s. Fortunately for us, in this changing world, God remains the same forever. The truths of grace, love, redemption and the practical wisdom for life God gives us in his Word are just as real and useful today. We seek to share the life giving message of Jesus, honoring the past and looking to the future. For more information about what is in the Lutheran confessions, click on the button below.