Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

In the 1870s and 1880s many settlers of German ancestry began arriving in this area. In 1889, under the leadership of The Rev. R. Seils, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized. Early worship services were held in the Bismark schoolhouse (approx. 2 mi. S). Beginning with twenty-three charter members, the congregation grew steadily. By 1892, a small sanctuary was constructed and a cemetery was established on the church property (2 mi. SW). Another group of families began meeting together for worship services in the Priddy community, and in December 1903 organized St. John's Lutheran Church. Services were held in the Becker Mountain schoolhouse (approx. 2 mi. E). Soon both German Lutheran congregations were being served by the same minister. In 1929 the Zion congregation moved to Priddy and built a new sanctuary. In 1941, by mutual consent, the Zion and St. John's congregations joined together to become one church under the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church name. A part of Mills County history for generations, this church continues to serve the community with many forms of outreach. (1989)

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church is a historical marker in Priddy, Mills County, dedicated in 1989. It is one of 26 historical markers documented in Mills County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 38 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.6753, -98.5083 near Priddy. The nearest cataloged historic site is Gromatzky Gravesite (cemetery), about 2.3 miles away. Others within a short drive include Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church and Cemetery, Duren Cemetery, and North Brown Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5333005955. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.