Zion Evangelical Church

Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ is one of the oldest churches in Indianapolis, founded by German immigrants in 1841. Unlike some immigrant groups, such as the Irish, who were predominantly Catholic, German Americans were religiously diverse. Instead of forming one unified religious body, they organized into smaller communities based on faith tradition, such as German Protestants or German Jews.

Zion Evangelical represents one of these modest but enduring Protestant congregations. The church’s first pastor, Reverend J.G. Kunz, was called in 1841 to lead a small group of German-speaking worshippers. Over the years, three different structures were built to house the growing congregation, first in 1845, then 1866, and finally in 1913. These buildings gave German immigrants a place to worship in their native language and maintain spiritual traditions in a new land. Although regular Sunday services are now conducted in English, the church still holds Easter and Christmas services in German to honor its heritage.

The current church building, dedicated on May 18, 1913, was designed by the Bohlen architectural firm. It was the oldest architectural firm in Indianapolis, founded by German immigrant Diedrich A. Bohlen. His sons Oscar and August carried on the legacy, designing Zion Evangelical in a Gothic Revival style. Note the high ceilings, square towers, three pointed-arch doorways, and the beautiful stained glass windows depicting scenes from the life of Jesus. The bells, originally purchased from Germany in 1873, were relocated into this new church, another meaningful connection to the congregation’s homeland.

Like many churches of the era, Zion Evangelical played a vital role in community service. In 1860, the congregation helped build a schoolhouse, which by 1891 served over 500 students. Between 1895 and 1899, the church held fundraising events for the Deaconess Hospital, where deaconess women provided both spiritual and physical care to the sick and needy. The church also supported the Pleasant Run Children’s Home, often inviting children to attend Christmas celebrations. Recognizing the need for elder care, Zion organized the Altenheim Community in 1909 to provide healthcare and assisted living for aging members.

Today, Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ stands not only as the oldest German congregation in Indianapolis, but also as a living testament to more than 180 years of faith, service, and cultural continuity in the city.