
Zoar History

In 1875, a building on the present site of Zoar Lutheran was purchased and renovated into a white framed church. For many years, services were conducted primarily in German, but in the late 1800’s Zoar also began offering some worship services in English.
In 1917, a new brick church building was completed as the Zoar congregation continued to grow and serve their community. During the 1920’s Zoar Lutheran made the final switch to English-only services and Zoar’s pastor, Rev. Peter Kluepfel, was instrumental in the formation of the American Lutheran Church (ALC) in 1930. In 1938, St. Paul’s in Maumee called its own full-time pastor and also joined the ALC.
Under the leadership of Rev. E. J. Melchert, Zoar’s membership continued to grow in size and in mission and then added an educational unit in 1951. To better meet the needs of the congregation and the community, an associate pastor joined Zoar in 1955. Then two years later, a second mission congregation, Lutheran Church of the Master, also in Perrysburg, was launched.
In 1976, to commemorate its 125th anniversary, Zoar Lutheran began Abundant Life, a facility that provides low-cost independent housing for senior citizens.
Rev. Timothy Philabaum became Zoar’s senior pastor in 1993 and oversaw the expansion and renovation of the sanctuary, as well as the addition of new classrooms, a commercial kitchen, the Family Life Center, and new administrative offices. In 2000, in honor of Zoar’s 150th anniversary, a second apartment building at Abundant Life was built.
Throughout its history, the congregation at Zoar Lutheran has been blessed by the leadership of wonderful laity and pastors. As we look forward to the future, we trust that God will continue to guide our ministry so that through our worship, our witness, and our outreach, we will proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ for many years to come. Discover Zoar and Be AmaZed!
George Cronenwett 1850-1859
A. Kleinegees 1859-1864
C.F. Kaeding 1864-1896
C.S. Ide 1896-1911
R. Dietz 1911-1915
Peter Kluepfel 1916-1944
E.J. Melchert 1944-1976
Robert M. Kramp 1955-1957
Harold Billnitzer 1958-1959
Quentin E. Battiste 1959-1970
Charles F. Melchert 1962
Charles R. Frederick 1964
Robert R. Rigg 1967
Thomas A. Wolfe 1970-1980
Charles E. Campbell 1975
Thomas V. Parrish 1978
Paul D. Winters 1980-1984
William H. Range 1980-1984
Timothy McDermott 1982
Marcus Grodi 1983
Louis W. Accola 1984-1992
Timothy P. Philabaum 1985-2021
Edward Battieste 1986
Rodney K. Haselhuhn 1987-1991
Paulette Stahlke 1993
James C. Wenger 1994-2006
Linda L. Anderson 1995
Lisa Bernheisel 2003
Anita L. Marshall 2007-2013
R. Michael Brown 2016-2019
Paul Reichert 2021-present
Melanie Forrey 2023-present