A History of the Parish House

The limestone church, less additions, was built and the cornerstone laid on May 15, 1815.

James Madison was President of the United States. The building was dedicated August 25, 1816.

The interior was built with a 12 foot pulpit surmounted by a sounding board topped by a dove with an olive branch in its beak stationed there from 1824 to 1855.  This would indicate that there was no horizontal division into the three floors as is the case now. The dove is in the relic room of the Zion Lutheran Church on West Main Street.

The east limestone wall was moved 12 feet to accommodate the new vestibule and the double staircase to the upper floors. The church was remodeled at a cost of $4,120.63. The interior was greatly changed during this renovation and the ground floor appeared to be used as a Sunday school. The second floor became the present sanctuary with the galleries on three sides becoming a third floor. A steeple was added to the “new” east end addition.

German was spoken until 1862.

Lightning struck the steeple on May 20 and it was partially removed July 2 and covered with tin.

The alter painting, “Come Unto Me” was presented by the pastor of the Zion Lutheran Church and his wife, Dr. and Mrs. Clarence T. Leatherman.

The Sunday school was moved to the new addition of the Zion Lutheran church on Main Street and the Parish House was once again closed. The building stood vacant and age was taking its toll. Amid rumors that it was to be demolished in favor of a parking lot for the church, the Historical Society, founded in 1971, evolved as its caretaker. A lease was signed with the Zion Lutheran Church on January 1, 1973 with the Historical Society and eventually extended to the end of the century.

Limestone Campaign was organized to repair the entire exterior of the east wall with a final cost of $9,130. Repointing of the limestone was done and the cornices and flashing boards were repaired and painted.

New heating and air conditioning installed throughout three floors of the building.

Major repairs to first floor meeting rooms due to water damage with new ceiling and flooring installed.