Monday, September 15, 2008

Zion United Church of Christ, Ritzville, Washington



Immigrants from Germany organized the German Evangelical Zion church in 1888. Later the small mission church joined the German congregational conference. The present building was completed in 1901 at a cost of 6,000 dollars. The german language was used for over 50 years until a complete transition was made to English.
The shingled cylindrical turrets at each corner and at the front of the main roof are the most distinctive feature of this church. Also unusual are the spherical metal finials on top of the turrets and steeple.
Ritzville was first dettled in 1878 and the railroad arrived in 1880. Ritzville was and is a wheat-shipping center.

5 comments:

Janice Thomson said...

Gosh those turrets really are unique - I've never seen anything like this before. Do they have some special significance?

George Townboy said...

Another wonderful church with a great history. Thanks for doing the research.

Unknown said...

Thanks for taken note of the Ritville, WA church with its history and wonder. I was Intentional Interim Pastor of the church from 2005-7. The church merged with another United Church of Christ congregation in town and is now known as the Zion Philadelphia United Church of Christ.
Rev. Jim CastroLang

Small City Scenes said...

Thank you, Rev. Jim for responding. I have always thought this was a wonderful Church. My daughter and son-in-laws family live in Ritzville and have for many years. MB

Louis la Vache said...

This is "Louis's" first visit to this blog - he's very happy to have found it. He, too, likes Holy Houses.