CHURCHES OF PALO ALTO COUNTY
From Atlas of Palo Alto County
Compiled 1969 by Title Atlas Company; Minneapolis, Minnesota

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH
AYRSHIRE, IOWA

     Zion Lutheran Church at Ayrshire was organized on Sept. 18, 1892, under the leadership of the Rev. P.G. Mueller, who served the congregation from then until sometime in 1893. Among the early pioneers, the charter members of the congregation were: Messrs. H. Frink; Harm Ricklefs; Ed Reimers; John Reimers; C.F. Brattmiller; and C. Wojahn. While these charter members desired to assemble together and to worship the Lord; they also recognized the importance of Christian education and, within a year after the organization of the congregation, they organized a Sunday School.
    For several years, the congregation was also served by pastors who resided either in Mallard or Emmetsburg. Pastors serving from Mallard included the Rev. Paul Shaller, 1893-95; W. Mallon, 1895-97; A.H. Deletzke, 1897-99. The Rev. Valentine Walther of Emmetsburg served the parish in 1899 and 1900. During 1900, a theological student, the Rev. Rudolph Norden, assisted with the work. The Rev. Gesterling served from 1901 to 1903.
    Pastor G. Gruenow of Mallard served the parish from 1904 to 1910. During his pastorate, a new church was built in the southwest part of Ayrshire, the present location of the Bob Bowman residence. This was in 1906. The farmers, with teams of horses and wagons, hauled large rocks for the foundation of the church. Pastor J.H. Schnittker of Mallard served from 1910 to 1912.
    The Rev. H.F. Buettner, of Mallard, served from 1912-17. A Christian Day School was organized in 1916, and a theological student, Hugo Goering, was the first teacher. In 1917, the congregation took another step forward when it purchased a house at the present church site to be used as the parsonage making it possible for the first time to have a resident pastor.
    The first resident pastor was the Rev. Martin Seltz, who served from 1917 to 1919. He was succeeded by the Rev. W.J. Horn who served the longest pastorate in the congregation's history from 1919 to 1931.
    During Pastor Horn's time, the Ladies Aid was organized in June, 1920; the church was relocated and enlarged on a new basement foundation at the present site in 1927, being dedicated June 17, 1928; and the Young People's Society, now the Walther League, was organized in 1928.
    After Pastor Horn's pastorate, there was a 10-year vacancy. During this time, the congregation was served by the Rev. V.J. Kollman of Royal (1931-42). In 1940, the Sunday School was organized. Theological candidate, A. Rueber, served under Pastor Kollman in 1940-41.
    A new resident pastor came to Ayrshire in the person of the Rev. William Stock who served from 1942 to 1952. During his pastorate, the Golden Jubilee of the congregation was observed on Sept. 20, 1942, and the 60th anniversary in 1952. The parsonage was remodeled at this time, 2 large rooms being added to the upstairs, and a breakfast nook and front porch added to the downstairs. The latter improvement allowed room for an enlarged pastor's office.
    The choir was organized during during Pastor Stock's time of service, and the whole church program was better organized and given new life. The Fellowship Club came into being, the Ladies Aid joined the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, and the young people became affiliated with the International Walther League.
    During this period Concordia Lutheran Church, Webb, was organized by Pastor Stock. He served his second congregation from Ayrshire. After Pastor Stock accepted the call to Coon Rapids, the Webb congregation took upon the advice of the District was joined to the Sioux Rapids congregation to form a new parish, leaving Ayrshire alone again.
    When Pastor Stock left the congregation in Sept. 1952, and until Pastor Chellew came in April, 1953, the congregation was faithfully served by retired Pastor P.E. Ross of Pomeroy.
    Pastor William J. Chellew served the Ayrshire congregation from April 23, 1953, until Nov. 1958. Under Pastor Chellew's guidance and leadership, the Vacation Bible School was continued and expanded; the Sunday School added the kindergarten department; improvements in the church included a new heating system, indoor rest rooms, redecorating the church, and numerous minor improvements.
    The present pastor, Rev. James T. Wolfram, of Mallard, came to Zion Congregation in Nov., 1958. The past years, under the leadership of Pastor Wolfram, have been some of the most fruitful years Zion Congregation has had. During this time, the Nursery department has been added to the growing Sunday School; a new Wurlitzer organ was purchased; new flooring was laid in the nave of the church; a face lifting for the basement; and many minor improvements.
    The 75th Anniversary of Zion Lutheran Church of Ayrshire was celebrated in 1967.