STOCKTON

During the height of World War II, Zion Lutheran church was formed in 1943 under the guidance of Rev. E.J. Roleder of Lodi. The name "Zion" is found throughout the Old Testament. It is most often referred to as the place where God dwells so the name serves as a reminder that God dwells among us. The original church building sat at the corner of Monroe and Willow streets, situated north of downtown Stockton and south of the Miracle Mile. In 1953 Zion purchased property in a small subdivision called Lincoln Village. At the time it consisted of a few hundred homes and a shopping center but Zion members knew the area would grow. On this property Grace Lutheran Church was established under Rev. C.H.S. Hunziker, In 1961, as more of Stockton's population moved to Lincoln Village, the downtown congregation of Zion and the young congregation of Grace decided to merge. The original Zion church building was sold in 1962 to the young Stockton Civic Theater, offering them their first permanent home..

Primary location: Stockton United States