Zion Lutheran Church of Poplar Bluff is in the beginning stages of planning to build a new church on their nearly 9-acre property on Shelby Road.
The property is already beginning to change in appearance, with underbrush being removed by a company from Hillsboro, Missouri. Tentative plans include a sanctuary and fellowship hall, and a possible outdoor worship center and meditation trail, according to officials with the church.
“Sadly, when new doors are opened though, doors from the past close gently behind,” church officials said in a press release.
This is the case with the church’s current location at the corner of Main and Relief streets.
“The church will remain open there until the new church is completed, but the Zion Lutheran School building and their parsonage is currently on the market to be sold,” officials said. “Many, many young children have attended school there beginning in 1954, so there are countless memories of classes and teachers, yearly carnivals with pony rides, games, clowns, and a ‘country store’ that were open to the community, field trips, Christmas programs, and fun times at recesses.
“The hallways are quiet now, just waiting for the next occupants.”
The parsonage also has had quite a history of residents consisting of many past pastors of Zion and their families.
The Zion Lutheran School building and parsonage are only being used for storage now, so, per their building committee chairperson, Shirley Batton, they have decided to put both buildings up for sale.
“This will make for an easier transition to the new church when it is completed,” officials said. “There’s lots of work to be accomplished.
“Opening that new door to the future takes lots of hands pushing the same direction.”