Zion Architecture The Sanctuary Building

THE SANCTUARY: built in 1807
	The original architects were George Rohrbach and Johann Machenheimer, both church members, who were entrusted with the design of the church and the supervision of the numerous craftsmen who were constructing it. Under the leadership of Pastor Kurtz, early in 1807 the cornerstone was laid. The short square tower marking the Gay Street end of the sturdy brick structure contained a simple bell which would call the flock of Zion to service on happy and sad occasions. There were two entrances—one on Gay Street, and the other one on the south side of the building. Both had rounded Roman arches, while the windows were pointed in the Gothic style.



Zion Church 1805 to 1840 - up to the fire	The main structure of Zion Church as it exists today was built in several stages, the sanctuary was rebuilt from the brick walls that remained of the second Zion Church (the first was on Fish Street) after it was mostly ruined by the fire of March 30, 1840. Pastor Scheib called upon the people of Zion to rebuild their house of worship without delay. As the outside walls had been spared, he decided upon a plan of reconstruction that would largely preserve the outward appearance of the old building. On November 8, 1840, the church was reopened with a dedication service under the motto "To Strive for Reason's Victory." The tower on the front, however, was not rebuilt. The inside was considerably changed. Pastor Scheib radically applied the Reformed concept of simplicity.