Zion Lutheran Church
A Legacy of Faith
Since 1853, Zion Lutheran Church has gathered around a single purpose: to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through worship, fellowship, servanthood, and outreach. Over more than 170 years, our congregation has faced hardship, celebrated milestones, and been sustained by God's faithfulness through every season. What has remained constant is the message at the center of it all: that Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again for the forgiveness of sins.
As Zion member Donna Krysl reflects:
"God's Word is our great heritage, just as Zion's heritage is a Godly example of the many blessings bestowed on it by our Heavenly Father, both in our material and spiritual blessings."
A History Rooted in Faith
From its beginnings in a one-room sanctuary, Zion has grown to serve as a cornerstone of faith for the Hillsboro community. After a devastating fire in 1912 destroyed the original church, our congregation came together to build the sanctuary we worship in today, dedicated in 1913. Over the years, the church has expanded to meet the needs of a growing congregation, including the addition of an educational wing, a parsonage, and spaces designed to support ministry and fellowship.
In recent years, Zion has embraced its mission with renewed energy, growing our facilities and ministries to better serve both our congregation and community. Some highlights include:
- 2013: The Old School Hall was remodeled and rededicated as Grace Haus, providing space for youth gatherings and a museum celebrating Zionβs history.
- 2015: Our first Grace Day brought the community together to experience the love of Christ through acts of service. This ministry has since grown into a county-wide effort involving multiple congregations.
- 2016: The parsonage was beautifully remodeled to better support our pastoral staff and their families.
- 2016: The Beautiful Feet Project began, providing support to students in the Hillsboro R-3 School District through donations of shoes, supplies, and other essentials.
- 2018: Grace Day 365 launched in partnership with Lutheran Family & Child Services, expanding Grace Day into a year-round ministry serving the Hillsboro R-3 School District.
- 2021: The Beautiful Feet Project expanded into Festus R-6, Dunklin R-5, DeSoto #73, and Grandview C-2 school districts, touching even more young lives with Godβs love.
- 2024: Jefferson County Lutheran Grace Day returned to Zion's campus for the 10th annual service event and we served over 1,400 in the surrounding community with essential supplies as families prepared for children to return to school.
Living Our Faith Today
The ministries that have grown out of Zion's congregation β Grace Day, Grace Day 365, and the Beautiful Feet Project β are not programs we run. They are the natural overflow of a community that has been forgiven much and wants to give generously. We serve our neighbors because Christ first served us.
We invite you to come and be part of what God has been doing in this place for over 170 years. The same Gospel that gathered this congregation in 1853 is the one proclaimed here every Sunday.
