A Historical Overview

The Beginning (1886–1900)

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church traces its roots to 1886, when a small group of Lutheran Christians began gathering in homes in Gotha, Florida. That same year, Rev. Thomae served as the designated Reiseprediger (traveling missionary). Within his first year, he baptized 33 people, administered Holy Communion to 20, and counted 12 voting members in the fledgling community.

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In 1888, Rev. Johan F. W. Reinhardt succeeded him as the Circuit Rider, continuing to minister to the growing Lutheran presence in the area. Three years later, in 1891, Rev. Carl Frederick Brommer was called as Zion’s first mission pastor. Under his leadership, Zion formally organized as a congregation with a constitution in 1892.

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On July 27, 1893, the congregation purchased land and soon built its first sanctuary—a one-room, wood-frame church completed in 1894. That same year, the Synod sent Rev. Edward Fischer, a recent graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, to serve as Zion’s first resident pastor. Under his care, the congregation grew to about 80 members and established a small parochial school.

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The prosperity was short-lived. The Great Freezes of December 1894 and February 1895 devastated Central Florida’s citrus industry, forcing many families to leave in search of work. Only nine Lutheran families remained in Gotha, and Zion endured severe financial hardship.

Rev. Fischer continued serving until 1903. That year, Candidate Hugo Hennig was assigned to Zion, but his brief tenure ended in 1905, leaving the congregation vacant once again until 1907. From 1907 to 1909, Rev. John Oetjen served as interim pastor, conducting German-language services and helping sustain the small but faithful congregation through a difficult season.

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With the onset of World War I, “Lutheran” became synonymous with “German,” and hostility toward German-Americans intensified. Zion discontinued its German-language services, and the school was closed. During this period, the Rev. George Trapp and the congregation endured acts of vandalism and persecution, yet they remained steadfast in their confession and mission.

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In the 1920s, the arrival of the railroad brought new development and business expansion to Central Florida. However, the postwar boom largely bypassed the rural Gotha community. The congregation decided to relocate to Pine Hills, and by 1958 a new sanctuary and education building were completed.

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In 1961, Zion opened a kindergarten that quickly grew to an enrollment of sixty students. The kindergarten was discontinued in 1971, but the following decade brought a period of remarkable growth, with membership reaching an all-time high of approximately 450 members. To accommodate the growing congregation, a larger church was constructed and the school reopened. However, the increased financial burden eventually exceeded the congregation’s resources, and membership began to decline.
 

The New Millennium (1961–2013)

As the surrounding community became increasingly diverse, Zion developed new programs to reach its changing neighborhood. Despite these efforts, it was decided in the early 1990s to close the school once again. In 1995, the congregation entered the Churches in Transition program to help discern its future direction.

Under the leadership of the Rev. Paul M. Foust, Zion sold its Pine Hills property in 2000 and purchased 18 acres of land in the rapidly growing West Orange area. During this transition, the congregation temporarily met in its former church building in Gotha. For the next eight years, Zion worked faithfully toward establishing a new presence in Winter Garden.

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In November 2008, with only 42 members, Zion opened the doors of its new Child Development Center at 16161 Marsh Road, Winter Garden. Reflecting its renewed mission, the congregation adopted the name Zion New Life Lutheran Church, symbolizing the new life found in Christ and summarized in the motto “Share His Incredible News Everywhere (S.H.I.N.E.).”

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In the fall of 2013, Rev. Foust retired, and Rev. Robert Weikart served as interim pastor. The congregation resolved to call a first-year candidate from the seminary to shepherd Zion into its next chapter.

Present Day (2014–Present)

On April 30, 2014, Zion extended a Divine Call to Pastoral Candidate Roberto E. Rojas, Jr., from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry on July 27, 2014, and installed as pastor of Zion New Life Lutheran Church.

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In the summer of 2014, Zion received a generous donation of 100 Lutheran Service Book hymnals. Under Pastor Rojas’ leadership, the congregation was brought back to its confessional and liturgical roots in continuity with the historic Christian Church, the Lutheran Reformation, and Zion’s own beginnings. With God’s help, Pastor Rojas reintroduced the Historic One-Year Lectionary, the traditional Lutheran liturgy, and the biblical and historic practice of Closed Communion.

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During Thanksgiving 2014, Zion received a donation to complete two new classrooms for its preschool. The classrooms were blessed and opened for the 2015–2016 school year.

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In early 2015, a member donated a new communion set in memory of a loved one. The following spring, another member designed, constructed, and gifted a handcrafted altar rail, complete with kneeling cushions made by other members. Pastor Rojas contributed by creating the crucifixes at each end of the rail and one for the pulpit.

In 2016, Zion received liturgical furnishings from Esperanza Viva Lutheran Church in Orlando, including a larger altar, pulpit, lectern, flower stands, and an eight-foot cross. Later that year, members of Zion and the Zion Quilters donated new altar linens and a full set of paraments for the chancel.

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In January 2017, Zion purchased new speakers, microphones, a CD duplicator, and Hauptwerk, a virtual organ system. That April, the congregation adopted a new logo and slogan—“God’s Truth for You”—and officially changed its name to Zion Lutheran Church & School.

In January 2018, Zion received a donated organ, and by February began recording and uploading sermons online. In May, a new preschool director was hired, and the congregation invested heavily in staffing and program improvements. Over the next two years, Zion worked toward building a distinctly Lutheran school identity, though staffing challenges remained.

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Then, in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Public gatherings were restricted, forcing the temporary closure of the school. Though the congregation continued to worship in small groups and soon resumed regular services by May, the financial impact was significant.

During the summer of 2020, Pastor Rojas completed his Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) degree from Concordia Theological Seminary, awarded on August 5, 2020. Meanwhile, Zion’s leadership made the difficult decision to reopen the school that fall despite low enrollment and ongoing financial strain.

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Recognizing the need for decisive action, the congregation met throughout the fall of 2020 to consider several solutions. On November 8, 2020, the congregation voted overwhelmingly to sell the existing facility, divide the property, and construct a new sanctuary on the remaining acreage. Committees were formed to oversee both the sale and the new construction.

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In early 2021, a buyer was secured, and in October of that year, Zion closed the sale, paid off its debts, and became debt-free for the first time since 2008. During this time, the congregation resumed the use of its original and full name: Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.

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Working closely with McCree General Contractors and Architects, the Building Committee designed a traditional sanctuary reflecting the congregation’s theological and liturgical identity. On January 9, 2022, Zion held a groundbreaking service on the site of its future home.

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated the dedication of its new sanctuary on February 17, 2023. The Rev. Rod Zwonitzer preached, the Rev. Roberto Rojas served as liturgist, the Rev. Larry Beane served as crucifer and lector, and the Rev. Dr. Paul Grime served as organist.

 

Through every challenge and renewal, the Lord of the Church has faithfully sustained Zion. From its humble beginnings in 1886 to its present ministry in Winter Garden, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church continues to proclaim Christ crucified and risen, holding fast to the pure Gospel and the confession of the one, holy, Christian and apostolic faith.