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Builder: Reuter Organ Co., Op. 1072, 1953. Salmen Organs
performed some work on this instrument. Manuals: 2 Ranks: 15 (23) Action: Electro-pneumatic Notes: Reuter Opus List, provided by Chris Leaver, Reuter Organ Co., November, 2005 and Organ Historical Society as of 2020. Specification shown following Salmen rebuild/expansion. GREAT ORGAN 8' Principal 61 8' Bourdon 61 4' Oktave 61 4' Spillflute 61 2' Flachflute 61 Fourniture IV 244 Tremulant MIDI SWELL ORGAN 8' Gedeckt 61 8' Viola 61 8' Voix Celeste tc 49 4' Principal 61 4' Hohlflute 61 2.2/3' Nasard 61 2' Blockflute 61 1.3/5' Tierce 61 Mixture II 122 8' Trumpet 61 8' Oboe 61 Tremulant MIDI PEDAL ORGAN 32' Subbass (1-12 digital) 16' Subbass 32 8' Oktav 44 8' Gedeckt (Sw) 4' Oktav (Pd) 4' Hohlflute (Sw) 16' Trumpet 12 (Sw) 8' Trumpet (Sw) 4' Trumpet (Sw) 4' Oboe (Sw) MIDI |
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All that is known today of the founding of our congregation
comes from a brief note in the records stating, “Founded November
27, 1892.” In these earliest days, worship services were held in
members’ homes. Then, as numbers grew, services were held in a
variety of rented buildings. The Word of God continued to be
preached and the number of souls joining the family at Zion grew. In
1907, it was reported at the SD LCMS District Convention that the
young Zion congregation consisted of 80 souls and 11 voting members. It was in 1910 that Zion purchased its first actual church building from the Congregational Church for $400. Another $300 was needed to move the church building to Zion’s lot at 822 East 1st Avenue. The very night the church was moved to its new home a violent windstorm struck the area and blew it off its foundation. The next day the mover was able to lift it back into place for another $75. (This building was dismantled in 1980.) God continued to bless Zion with growth and in 1919 the congregation no longer needed financial support from the SD LCMS District. By 1922, the family at Zion had grown to 274 souls, 175 communicant members, and an average weekly attendance of 125. Zion’s ministry in Mitchell continued to flourish and in 1946 property on East 3rd Avenue (our current location) was purchased and plans were begun for the building of a new church in that location. Construction of our current church building was started in 1952. Then, on a day of great celebration, July 12, 1953, the congregation closed the doors of the old church for the last time and walked together in procession to officially open the new church at 620 East 3rd Avenue. Improvements and expansion continued. Property just west of the new church building was purchased in 1961 and the next year our Education Wing was built, emphasizing our commitment to passing the Faith on to the coming generations. Our sanctuary’s beautiful stained glass windows that chronicle the church year were installed in the church a year later, in 1963. The faithful members of Zion have continued to create a better facility for fulfilling our mission. Our north narthex was added in 1991, making bathrooms, member mailboxes, and an elevator accessible on the main level of the church. The parking lot west of the Education Wing was paved with concrete in 2010; then the alley the next year. In 2014, a number of dedicated members lowered the chimney of the main church building to meet new regulations. And in 2016, the congregation was able to purchase 3 lots in the northeast corner of our block, allowing for future possibilities. Zion ended 2018 with a total membership of 768 souls. For the growth and blessings that we have experienced in our 125+ years of ministry in Mitchell. |