The Zion Evangelical Lutheran church, Meyersdale, was organized by Rev. Eli Fare in 1852. The original members were:
Joseph and Elizabeth Keim
Alexander and Catharine Walker
John I. Hicks
Catharine Geary
Mary A. Albright
Harriet Hicks
Catharine Olinger
Peter Kessler
Christ. Shiver
Margaret Sheetz
Barbara Yorty
Mary E. Yorty
Wilhelmina Swearman
Catharine Herring
The first church officers were Samuel Bittner, Alexander Walker, Joseph Keim and Joseph Baldwin.
The pastors have been as follows:
Rev. Eli Fare, 1852-6
Philip Sheeder, 1856-64
Jesse Winecoff (supply), 1864-5
John Forthman, 1865-8
M.F. Pfähler, 1868-73
I.B. Crist, 1873-4
D. Earhart (supply), 1875
J.A. Koser, 1875-8
J. Milton Snyder, 1878-present
The first house of worship, a union meeting-house, was erected in 1854, and cost about two thousand six hundred dollars. It was called Amity Lutheran and Reformed church. The cornerstone of the present church was laid August 26, 1876. The house was dedicated July 29, 1877. It cost two thousand five hundred dollars. It is a beautiful church, with frescoed walls and ceiling, stained glass, etc. The building is a frame, 35 X 50 feet, with a steeple and bell. The present membership of the church is one hundred and fifty; of the sabbath school, one hundred and twenty.
(Source: History of Bedford, Somerset & Fulton Counties, PA; 1884)
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