THE FIRST GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHER ZION'S CHURCH The history of this church begins on the 9th of July, 1862, that being the time of its organization.  It had for its first members S. Hiller, G. Crecelius, B. Borgelt, H. Flemming and F. Kurmeier.  The church edifice is located at the corner of Eight and Gaines streets, and there is also a chapel belonging to this congregation on Oak and Fifth streets, where services are held every Sunday evening.  The present membership numbers 350 and in the Sunday school there are 130.  Connected with the church  is a Ladies Aid Society with twenty-five members, and also a Young Folks society of twenty-two members.  The church is in a very prosperous condition.  The following have been pastors of the church:  Revs. John Keisel, from 1861  to 1865; Josias Ritter, 1865 to 1868; Wilhelm Vonhof, 1868-1870; C. Reuter, 1870-1871; S. Gass, 1871-1879; B. Foelsch, 1879-1891; C. Ziche, 1891-1897; P. Bunge, 1897-1903; John Hurtzig, 1903-1908; C. Holterman, 1908, who is the present pastor. The present church edifice was erected in 1866. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L