Zion’s new sanctuary complete

Zion Lutheran Church now has a sanctuary for the 21st century instead of something out of the 1960s.

Renovation work for the Shawano church concluded this month, with a public dedication ceremony planned for Oct. 1. The news is warmly embraced by the more than 900 parishioners who make up Zion, as the smaller chapel in the church was a little cozy, and many had to go to the services at Shawano Lake County Park during the summer months.

Members of the congregation went to Pastor Scott Ludford after he accepted his call to serve the church two years ago and told him of the need for a modern sanctuary. The cement floors were not very attractive. The pews were warped and not cushioned. The baptismal font was unmovable.

“This sanctuary was over 50 years old, and it was time,” Ludford said. “We knew that this was home, but it was a tired home built with limited funds decades ago that needed sprucing up and tweaking.”

The new sanctuary has new, comfortable pews. Everything at the pulpit is mobile, including the baptismal font, which can be stowed away for special community events. The new stained glass windows depict the creation story in the Book of Genesis, a symbol of the sanctuary’s new beginning.

Church Interiors, a general contractor out of North Carolina, oversaw the $300,000 renovation. The company helped the congregation determine what it wanted and subcontracted work to companies across the United States.

“They brought a team of architects in — design experts, interior decorators — and did a computer layout of what they think it might look like,” Ludford said. “Then it was a matter of taking it to the congregation for approval.”

Fundraising for the new sanctuary started in earnest in October 2016, with $80,000 needing to be put in the church coffers before work could begin. By the start of 2017, that goal was reached, according to Ludford, and funding for the total $300,000 bill was achieved recently.

Ludford hopes the new sanctuary will not only serve his congregation but also the community at large. He envisions more concerts, weddings and other activities taking place in the facility.

“I like the sense that this isn’t a private club, but that this is here to serve our community,” Ludford said.

The dedication ceremony will include hundreds of quilts crafted by the church’s quilting group, draped over the pews and the Communion rails, which will go toward Lutheran relief efforts, according to Ludford. A collection of dry and canned food will go to area food pantries.

“The main mission of this congregation seems to be ministry outside of congregation,” Ludford said. “They’re very active in the community from AA to the community garden to supporting SAM 25.”