On July 18, 1928, 59 men and women, mostly Lutherans from Czechoslovakia who had settled in the Newark area, prayerfully organized our Zion Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church in the school of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Newark, New Jersey. Divine services and other activities were held there for over two years.

In 1929 the congregation wrote a constitution and was incorporated under the laws of the state of NJ. On March 4, 1930, the congregation purchased a church and parish hall located in Newark for the sum of $40,000. The Church and School Dedication Service was held on May 18, 1930.

The congregation called Rev. Stephen G. Mazak, who had previously served the congregation. He was installed as the first full-time pastor of Zion in August of 1929 and served until December 31, 1931. Our second pastor was Rev. John Horarik who faithfully served from December 1932 until November 1937.

Our third pastor was Rev. Bohuslav D. Tuhy who was installed on January 23, 1938 and served 22 years until February 16, 1960. At the end of 1948, the debt on the old church was retired. The mortgage on the church and the parsonage was symbolically burned at a congregational dinner in May of 1949.

At a Voters' Meeting in 1955, a description of the crowded conditions at services motivated the formation of committees to study the possibility of either rebuilding or relocating.

Our fourth pastor was Rev. William Hinlicky who was installed on October 12, 1960 and served until June 30, 1964. During this time the congregation was considering relocating to another area in Union County. On January 7, 1963, our four-acre parcel of property in Clark was purchased for the sum of $48,500.

Our fifth pastor was Rev. Joseph D. Kucharik who was installed on September 15, 1964 and served until his retirement on August 31, 1988.

The old church was refurbished in May of 1966 and ultimately sold to St. Paul's Fire Baptized Holiness Church of Newark for a sum of $59,000. The last worship service in Newark was held on January 29, 1967. The next Sunday worship services and Sunday School classes began at Hehnly School across the street.

Groundbreaking for our present church edifice was on November 6, 1966, with the laying of the cornerstone on June 11, 1967. The cornerstone reads, "COME AND LET YOURSELVES BE BUILT, AS LIVING STONES, INTO A SPIRITUAL TEMPLE". 1Peter 2:5 The construction of the church took well over 15 months. The church building was dedicated to the glory of God on April 28, 1968.

The present pastor is Rev. Andrew J. Dzurovcik who was installed on June 18, 1989. In September 1996 Zion Lutheran Preschool opened its doors and has continued to grow into an outstanding program with excellent teachers.

Throughout the history of our congregation we have been Building in Christ, Growing in Christ, and Sharing Christ through the mission and ministry of the dedicated pastors and members of Zion. Under the Lord's guidance and with His blessing we pray that we can continue to grow and share Christ.. .Showing Everyone Life in Christ ...for His glory and for the furtherance of His Kingdom.