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.
