Ellison Bay in Door County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Zion Lutheran Church
Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 10, 2024
1. Zion Lutheran Church Marker
Zion Lutheran Church
1879-1988
Whose Faithfulness Laid the Foundation for
Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.
Location. 45° 14.722′ N, 87° 5.118′ W. Marker is in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin, in Door County. It is on State Highway 42 0.2 miles south of Humbug Road, on the right when traveling north. The marker is in front of a bell on the south side of the driveway to Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church, not far from the highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11836 Wisconsin 42, Ellison Bay WI 54210, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Trinity Lutheran Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Niagara Escarpment (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellison Bay (within shouting distance of this marker); Liberty Grove Circle of Honor (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hamburger Stand (about 600 feet away); Sleigh (about 600 feet away); Veterans Memorial / Circle of Honor / Heritage Walkway
this page online
More about this marker. The marker sits in front of a bell. A nearly identical marker for Trinity Lutheran Church, which merged with Zion to form Shepherd of the Bay in 1994, a short distance away in front of a bell tower.
Regarding Zion Lutheran Church. Zion Lutheran Church was located in Sister Bay, about three miles southwest of here, in a building at the intersection of Wisconsin 42 and Water's End Road, today the home of Tannenbaum Holiday Shop. The new church was created when Zion merged with Ellison Bay's Trinity Lutheran; the new church, Shepherd of the Bay, was completed in 1994.
Also see . . .
1. History of Sister Bay. From the Sister Bay Historical Society, Zion Lutheran Church is included in a history of Sister Bay.
Excerpt: "The former Zion Lutheran Church got its start when a group of settlers met in a schoolhouse in 1878 to talk about establishing a congregation called the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church. A church building was put up in 1879. In 1890 it was reorganized as Zion Lutheran.(Submitted on August 15, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)In 1961 it became a part of the American Lutheran Church. The congregations eventually merged with one in Ellison Bay and became Shepherd of the Bay. The former Zion Lutheran Church in Sister Bay is now the Tannenbaum Holiday Shop, at the intersection of Hwy. 42 and Waters End Road."Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 9, 20242. Zion Lutheran Church Marker
2. Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church. (Submitted on February 14, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 10, 2024
3. Zion Lutheran Church Marker
The Liberty Grove Historical Society property can be seen in the distance, across Wisconsin 42.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 941 times since then and 187 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 14, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2, 3. submitted on August 15, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
