Members of Zion Lutheran Church prepare for Germanfest in authentic German attire, from left, Donna Silver, Burlingame, and Toni and Larry Wendling, Lyndon.

VASSAR, Kan. – In the late 1880s, several Lutheran families in the area of present day village of Vassar, which was platted in 1886, requested that a Lutheran pastor from the Topeka area come to preach God’s Word and baptize their children.

The first divine service was held March 30, 1884, almost 140 years ago, in the home of Fred Matthias. Zion Lutheran Church was formally organized in 1893 as “Die deutsche evangelische lutherische Germeinde ungeaenderter Augsburgischer Konfession zu Vassar, Osage County, Kansas”.

Zion Lutheran Church will feature its German heritage and history with a celebration in the Vassar community 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, outdoors in the block just west of the church. The event will include German food, a polka band, beer garden, children’s activities, and local craftsmen featuring their handiwork for sale. The event is open to the public. For more information, see www.facebook.com/zionlutheranvassar.