History of Zion: Established in 1874
Now in its 134th year of ministry in Deerfield, Highland Park and Highwood communities, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church is one of the oldest religious communities on the North Shore. A small group of Swedish families, most of whom were immigrants, lived in Highwood. Mostly tradesmen, they were employed in the construction of Fort Sheridan and the North Shore electric rail line. A small frame church was erected on High Street - the labor donated by the congregants. Services were conducted in Swedish.
Shortly after World War II, spurred in part by the G.I. Bill, North Shore communities experienced a rapid increase of population that included many Lutherans. Led by Harold Dahl, Milton Newton, and T. Albert Larson, the congregation bought a piece of property in Highland Park on which they planned to build a new church. But, later in 1953, they decided to buy a seven acre plot in Deerfield. In 1954, construction was begun with the first services held on the first Sunday in Advent in 1955. Early in 1956 the parsonage was completed.
Membership grew rapidly under Pastor Paul Berggren and Herbert Peterson. By 1961 the sanctuary was enlarged, and the choir loft and the Sunday School areas were incorporated into the design. Later in 1977, the altar area was remodeled with a free-standing altar. In 1969, a Werner Bosch pipe organ was dedicated. Even later in 1992, the offices and the front entry area were reconstructed. Included in that plan was an elevator to make all levels of the church handicap accessible. Finally, as part of its 125th anniversary, the Memorial Garden at the north end of the building was dedicated.
At the Deerfield site, the following ministers have provided spiritual leadership: Paul Berggren, Herbert Peterson, Donald Oscarson, Robert Trendel, Thomas Otis, Larry Lindmark and Kristen Schlauderaff, and Mark Lund.
