How it all Began

Early settlers arrived in the Zeandale are in the fall of 1854 and wasted no time setting up claims and soon made a trip back home and returned in the spring of 1855 with wives and even more settlers.  These pioneers continued to come, settling near Pillsbury Crossing, Tabor valley, and some where Zeandale is today.  Josiah Pillsbury gave Zeandale its name, combining the Greek word for corn (Zea) and the English word meaning dale or valley; hence, the name Zeandale means Corn Valley.

At first, many settlers worshiped under the trees at Pillsbury Crossing and later at the newly built school house  In. The people of Zeandale organized a Christian Congregation in 1894 and began discussing the need for a church building.  Mr. C.T. Shipps donated the land for the Christian Church, while others gave of their labor and material. H.C. Marshall donated sand, Lind's and J.H. Akin brought stone, and J.A. Noland, William Worrel, Rober worrel, Dick Worrel, Jamie Woods, Alf Worrel, Bela Moor and Jow Crowel gave time and labor.  Specifically, Bela Moore is given credit for the style of windows and the inclined floor and the masons's Fred Earle and Mr. Wicolet (from the Wabaunsee community) and master mason Mr. Lou Woodman (of St. George) utilized their trade while building the church.  In 1896 the church was built, but was not dedicated until January 10, 1897 due to inclement weather. At the dedication, J.C. Irving adn W.S. Love officiated with Love presenting the sermon. The bell in the church's tower originally hung in the Methodist Church and was given to the Christian Church when the Methodist Church was disbanded. 

Charter members included Mr. & Mrs. Alva McCormick, Mr. & Mrs. C.T. Shipps, Mr. & Mrs. H. D. Hull, Mr. & Mrs. A. J. Worrel, Mr. & Mrs. Warren Marshall, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Crowel, Mr. & Mrs. Jimmie Woods, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Worrel, Mr. & Mrs. J. A. Noland, Mr. & Mrs. W. D. Allen, and Miss. Mayme Worrel.  There new converts were also Charter members, Bela Moore, Hattie Allen, Ollie Worrel, Claude Crowel, Will Noland, Clara Shipps, Maude Allen, and John Noland.  These eight believers were baptized in the river near where the bride stood North off Zeandale at the south side of the river. 


Since Then...

• 1934: The Willing to Learn Club sponsored building an addition to the back of the Church, equipped to used as a kitchen.  Later is was used as Sunday School rooms.
  
• 1947: The Zeandale Guild was organized at the home of Alma Henten. She was elected as leader and supper Chairman.
  
• 1949: A committe was formed to replace the "pot belly" coal stoves with oil heaters and a fund raising play produced the $321.05 to pay for the transition.
  
• 1953: January 11, The Christian Church Council gave permission for the Zeandale Congregation to reorganize and the church's name was changed to Zeandale Community Church, desiring to serve all denominations.  At this time many repairs and additions were made, including new carpet, blinds, pews, communion table, chairs, and pulpit (pulpit and chairs donated by the Christian Church in Manhattan). 
• 1955: A large Cross was hewn by the man of the Church from logs obtained at the Akin farm. At that time, average attendance for the Church was 81, Sunday School 69, and 12 people had perfect attendance. 
  
• 1958:151 attended Easter Sunday Services and 184 came out for the Christmas program.  It was obvious the Church needed more room and so Sarah Englebert donated land for a Fellowship Hall.
  
• 1960: In June, a ground breaking ceremony for the Fellowship Hall took place, officiated by Dr. A. A. Holtz.  Soon after, construction started.  Stone was donated by Lester Henton and salvaged from a home in the Blue Valley area. 
  
• 1963: October 6, Fellowship Hall completed!
• 1965: Feb. 7, ZCC ordains Virgil Haas, the first minister ordained by Zeandale.
• 1966: Robert, (Bob) Stewart's memorial money was used to purchase the piano that is still in use today.
  
• 1973: Some needed TLC for the building; south side of roof replaced, back room remodeled, and baptistery installed. 
• 1977: Installation of stained glass windows instigated dedicated in the memory of:
• Berta Willson
• Minnie Kelley
• Maude and Ernest Moore
• Nadine Hoerman
• Minnie Colbert
• Audra Anderson Morehead
• A.M. and Ida Sowell
• Sam and Una sidebothham
• Herman and Thelma Williams
• Earl and Pearl Parks
• Wayne and Irene Bailey
• Friends of the Church
• Harold Stewart
• 1978: Dec. 10, Alma Henton day declared in celebration of teaching Sunday School for 50 years.  Wow!
• 1979: Memorial Scholarship created in memory of Elaine Haas, received by Rick Vilander.
• 1979: First Sunrise Service at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, a tradition carried to this day!  Cool breezes, breath-taking sunrises, and God-honoring worship.
  
• 1980: Men of the Church leveled the sloping floor and installed red carpet on the main isle, front of church, and the pulpit. The rest of the floor is original.  Thelma Williams had  alighted sign installed in front of the Church. Women of the Guild had a new floor covering installed in the Fellowship Hall, which was replaced with carpet in 2002 by Gregg and Karla Waller. ZCC's first official intern, Tom Sawyer, was accepted under Harry Baird.
• 1981: The Ladies of the Guild, assisted by Harold Stewart, purchased a new sound system.
  
• 1982: Library started by the High School class.  Additionally, drop ceiling and recessed lights were installed in the pulpit area and the old curtains were replaced by vertical blinds.
  
• 1983: The Burliew Cowan Funeral donated a new outside door to the Church so that caskets could be brought in for funerals.
  
• 1985: The Sunday School had 20-24 children ages 1-6 who attended regularly.  In memory of Tom Clark (lost while in the service of our Country), the cross on the Communion Table was presented. The two banners that hang at the back of the Church were donated and woven by Tina Baker in appreciation for the piano she received from the Church.
  
• 1989: First All-Church retreat to Rock Spring 4-H Ranch, a tradition that lasted until 1995.
  
• 1997: Men of the Church built choir risers for the front of the Church. The old papers were stripped from the walls and covered with texture to cover old cracks.
  
• 1998: The Women's Guild changed their name to Women of the Church. 
• 2001: Handicap ramp and chair lift installed using memorial money from Eleanor Vilander.  $10,000 was given to build a bathroom on the South end of the Fellowship Hall.  ZCC gave $5000 to Manhattan Christian College towards the renovation of Jolliffe Hall. Dividers were purchased for classrooms in the Fellowship Hall. 
  
• 2005: Burk Bayer Stone Co. was presented with a plague of special service by ZCC in thanks for the work they did to provide a parking lot for the Church.