VGI Updates

Although there were already two Lutheran parishes active in the Volga German community of South Tacoma (Trinity Lutheran and Zion Lutheran), the distance between the churches was perceived to be preventing some people from attending. Consequently, beginning in January, 1909, several families began meeting privately for afternoon or evening workship and meetings. Under the leadership of the Rev. George Köhler of Olympia, a new congregation called "Evangelische Lutherische Friedens Gemeinde" (Peace Lutheran Church) was organized and the charter signed on 9 May 1909 with 61 voting members.

Location:

13th & I Streets
Tacoma, Washington

Zion Lutheran was founded in 1890. It moved the original church building to 21st & Cushman and it was purchased by Peace Lutheran Church. A new facility was constructed at 16th & L in 1908.

Zion Lutheran is a member congregation of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

First Location:

16th & L Streets
Tacoma, Washington

Second Location:

3410 6th Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98406-5499
253.752.1264

Christ Lutheran Church was founded in 1896 by twenty-seven families who left Emmanuel Lutheran Church. In December of that year, its first church building was built at 140 West Maple Street. Originally, they shared a pastor with the congregation at Emmanuel. In 1904, a larger building was constructed on the same site.

In 1921, twenty-five members left to form Peace Evangelical Church.

On 1 August 1954, a new building was dedicated at 1420 South Second. The former church building is currently a Four Square Church.

The first Volga German immigrants to settle in Oshkosh attended Christ Lutheran Church.

In 1909, about 75 families left Christ Lutheran and formed Zion Lutheran Church.

Location:

222 Church Ave.
Oshkosh, WI 54901
920.231.6570

Zion Lutheran Church was founded by Volga German immigrants from Yagodnaya Polyana in 1909. Construction on a church building began early in 1910 at 330 N. Sawyer Ave. (later renumbered to 1002).

Originally services were conducted in German. The first English service was conducted in 1925, and by 1927 regular services were held in both English and German. The last German service was in 1961.

In 1967, groundbreaking was held for a new building at 400 N. Sawyer. It was dedicated in November 1970.

On 7 November 1921, the heads of 22 Volga German families met at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Benzel to explore how best to keep the faith of their forefathers. Many were currently members of Christ Lutheran Church, but were not happy there. They decided to form a congregation of their own, and began meeting in the home of Mr. & Mrs. George Gradwohl. They purchased a home to serve as the parsonage, and beginning on 3 January 1922 met there each week.

The history of Ebenezer Lutheran Church had its beginnings as a German Congregational Church.

St. Stephan Lutheran Church was founded in 1903 (as St. Stephanus Church) with 24 charter members, all Volga Germans. The congregation disbanded in 1912 and members joined other Lutheran Churches in the area: St. Andrew, Ebenezer, St. Paul, or Trinity. The building is believed to have been torn down in 1915.

Location:

Corner of Eire Avenue & 14^th Street
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Trinity Lutheran Church was founded on 26 May 1853. In 1854 a small church building was acquired which served the growing congregation until destroyed by fire on 5 October 1868. That same day the congregation resolved to relocate at the northeast corner of Ninth Street and Wisconsin Avenue. Plans for the new church edifice with two classrooms on the lower level and sanctuary above were drawn by Rev. Martin Stephan, Jr. of Chester, Illinois, who was both an architect and pastor and the only son of the leader of the Saxon immigrants who came to America from Germany in 1838.