The history of the Zion congregation dates back beyond Manning's early days. Settlers came here in the 70's of the 19th century from eastern Iowa, where they first stopped on their emigration from their native homes in Schleswig-Holstein and Hanover, Germany.

Mission-minded pastors soon came to provide for the spiritual needs of these Lutheran settlers. Among them were Pastor Mallon of Cooper, Ia., Pastor Hermann of Arcadia, Pastor Sessler of Sheridan Township (Lidderdale), Pastor Haar of Denison, Pastor Fred Ehlers of Lincoln Township, Audubon. Regular services were held here in 1893 by Pastor H. Bruggeman of Manilla. He was succeeded by Pastor C. Krog, also of Manilla, from 1896 to 1903. During this time he helped organize the congregation and the Manning Lutherans erected their first church building and dedicated it to the glory of God on Nov. 9, 1902. Pastor H. Saeger served the congregation from July, 1903, until the first resident pastor, Rev. J. M. Ansorge, came from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; he was installed in September, 1902. In 1907 a small parsonage was built east of the church and in 1916 services were also conducted in English in addition to the regular German service.

In 1920 a building committee consisting of Fred Fischer, John Reetz, Jacob Fielweber, John Sonksen, W. J. Martens, Fred Rutz, and A. Borkowski was appointed by the congregation and on June 5, 1921, Zion dedicated its second building. This building was remodeled and enlarged in 1950 for the 50th anniversary celebration.

On September 5, 1954, Pastor Ansorge observed his 50th anniversary as Pastor of the Manning Zion Lutheran Church; at about this same time the congregation resolved to call a second pastor. The Rev. George Eschenbacher of St. John's Lutheran Church, Paullina, Iowa, responded and was installed as co-pastor on October 3, 1954. Less than a year later the congregation was again with one pastor as the Lord called Pastor Ansorge from this earthly life.

To assist in the administration of Zion's work and life, the following parish workers and vicars were engaged: Delores Winterhoff, parish worker from Dec., 1955 to Nov., 1957; Joan Jensen as Deaconness Sept. 1958 to Aug., 1959; Robert Tewes, Vicar, Sept. 1959 to Aug., 1960; James Murray, Vicar, Sept., 1060 to Aug., 1961; Dwight Weber, Vicar, Sept., 1962 to Aug., 1963; and Gary Dassow, Vicar, from Aug., 1963 to Aug., 1964.

During the pastorate of George Eschenbacher it was decided to build a new, larger house of worship and groundbreaking ceremonies were held on May 25, 1961, on a property in South Manning purchased in 1959. Dedication ceremonies for the new church were held on Sunday, February 17, 1963. In December, 1963, Pastor Eschenbacher accepted a call to Zion Lutheran Church at Sauk Center, Minnesota. During a vacancy from January until late November the Rev. Gerhard Hattendorf of Trinity Lutheran Church, Audubon, together with Vicar Dassow, served the congregation. The Rev. Edward F. Heinicke, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Amarillo, Texas, accepted the call of the congregation and was installed as its pastor on November 29, 1964.

Zion congregation, under the guidance and blessing of the Lord, continues to carry out the purpose for which it was organized, namely, as stated in its official documents, "disseminating the Gospel truth according to the confessional standard of the Lutheran Church." To this end we strive to "let the word of Christ dwell among us richly" through regular and special services and through a program of Bible study for young and old in formal and informal groups. We also take seriously the Lord's commission to His people "to preach the Gospel to every creature" and support the training and sending program of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

A number of organizations within the congregation also give all members, young and old, men and women, many opportunities for Christian growth, fellowship and service. The Dorcas Society, the Ladies' Aid and the Evening Circle serve the interests of the ladies. These groups busy themselves with many works of love from

visiting the shut-ins to sewing blankets for world relief. They are also affiliated through the Lutheran Laymen's League. Fellowship for the men is offered through the Lutheran Laymen's League. There is also a Fellowship group which serves the needs of young couples. Young people, after confirmation, continue their interest in Christ's word and work through Lutheran Youth for Christ.

As Zion in 1981 looks back over the many years of God's great blessings, it also looks forward with confidence for His continued blessings. May the Lord continue to shower His grace upon His Church in Manning until the end of time!

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod began its Ministry for the Blind when a young man was blinded by a premature dynamite explosion, and requested help and materials from his pastor, who in turn sought help from Synod. The first efforts were quite limited, but in 1953 a Braille Transcription Committee was formed and workcenters established to provide all Sunday School materials, various church magazines and books in braille.

Zion Lutheran Church of Manning was first involved in 1962 when a Thermoform machine was installed here. This machine is used to make copies on plastic from a paper "master copy" of braille. This copying is necessary because there are not enough individuals (transcribers) who volunteer time and ability to braille the material that is requested.

The Workcenter for'assembling and distributing Sunday School lessons was moved to Manning in May, 1972. Zion's geographic location, and ample room for a workcenter, the presence of an active transcriber to oversee the operation, the Thermoform machine, and the fact that Pastor Edward Heinicke was a member of the Board of Missions at that time, were all reasons that governed the establishment of the workcenter.

Over 200 transcribers from all over the United States and Canada, send brailled lessons to the workcenter each month, where the lessons are checked, punched, covered and bound into books. Five thousand additional pages are thermoformed each month to complete the number of books needed. At present 400 books are mailed to individual readers each month -- and more than half of them go overseas, mainly to South India and Africa. Germany, England, Taiwan, Philippines, and Bangladesh are also on the mailing list.

Braille materials are available without cost to the reader, and the Postal Department provides free mailing to the blind. The cost of all materials is allowed by the Mission Budget of L.C.M.S., aided by various gifts and memorials. The work is done entirely by volunteers (about 18 of them) who willingly and regularly check in at the workcenter. Volunteers have averaged 120 hours each month for the past year.