Our History

281 Years at Indianfield... and counting

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The first church building at Indianfield was a log cabin, built in 1730, on one acre of land donated by Ludwig Zirkel. The stone church was built in 1792.

Aerial view of church and surrounding area (date unknown)

In 1758, the Indianfield Church united with other Lutheran churches to form a parish. Little Zion shared a minister until 1957.

Pastor Charles Brobst, 1951

Little Zion, circa 1920

Little Zion with the Sexton's House (circa 1930)

The name "Little Zion" began to be used by the Indianfield congregation in 1875. In 1893, the church was incorporated with its official name as "The Little Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Franconia Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania". Little Zion is a name that no other Lutheran congregation shares.

In 1881-1882, the church underwent major renovation. The east gable was extended; the balconies were changed to include the east, north and south walls and the pulpit was moved from the north wall to the west gable. The bell tower and steeple also were added.

Elmer Bernd, believed to be the first organist at Little Zion

The Pipe Organ, circa 1906

Between 1912 and 1915, the interior walls of the church were frescoed and the Ascension painting was added. The portico over the front door was added in 1923 and the stained glass windows in 1947. Fellowship Hall was dedicated in 1951. In 1959, extensive renovations were completed in the church including replacing electrical wiring, refinishing the pews, replacing the wood floor with concrete in the nave and narthex, installing a new altar, new carpeting and tile and a new heating system.

In 1985, the Fellowship Hall and the church were connected by the addition of the "new narthex". In 1999, the great chest of the 1963 Reuter organ was replaced.

The altar at Advent

In 2000, the church ceiling was restored after it collapsed. All of the pews and the altar rail were refinished, carpeting was replaced, walls and woodwork repainted, and new lighting fixtures and air-conditioning were installed. The nave was rededicated in March 2001.