Among the early pioneers of the Lutheran Church in America was a man by the name of Rev. Lucas Raus. He arrived at the port
of Philadelphia in 1749 and eventually made his way into what is known today as Adams County. It was here where he founded the
Upper Bermudian Church, also known as Ground Oak Church in 1770.
Around the year 1868, there emerged from this congregation a
group of men and women who was to organize the Mt. Zion congregation in current day Cumberland County. The earliest church records
of Mt. Zion contain baptisims and burials as early as 1868, however the congregation was not organized until February 6, 1869. There
were approximately 85 - 100 members in this first congregation. By April 23, 1870, a Charter was adopted and entered into the
Court of Common Pleas in Carlisle, Pennsylvania on June 14, 1870.
The first pastor to serve Mt. Zion, was Rev. Daniel Blackwelder
from Concord, North Carolina. It was during his ministry that Mt. Zion was organized and the first church built.
This early structure was a weather-board building. As was the custom of the early churches, there were two doors - one for male members
to enter and one for the female members.
In 1895 extensive repairs were made to Mt. Zion under the ministry of Rev. William Grant Slifer. The two doors were replaced
by one door in the center; new pews, pulpit, furniture, and carpet were installed at a cost of $400.00.
In the early part of the 20th century, the members of Mt. Zion, under the ministry of Rev. Harvey Bickel, decided to build a new brick
church which is still in use today. On June 8, 1909, groundbreaking services were held. On June 26, 1910, a dedication
service was held. The entire cost of the building was $6,106.92.
On July 18, 1937, Mt. Zion dedicated a new two manual Mollar pipe organ at a cost of $2000.00. The organ is still in use today.
On August 3, 1952, ground breaking services were held for a new education building, under the ministry of Rev. Robert H. Sternat.
On April 26, 1953, a formal dedication service was held.