Our Church History

Zion Church has now served and ministered to the Garner Community for over one hundred years. As we pause to reflect upon the time that has passed, we stand in awe and wonder at that which has taken place. The gracious and providential hand of God, which has made and directed, and now brought us to this historic and significant hour. His Spirit has indeed been present and at work in our midst. The history of Zion Church would not really be complete without noting the early days of Peace Reformed Church, located three miles south of Garner, since these two congregations formed a two point charge for over sixty-two years. The Garner area was an open frontier with very few settlers having taken up homesteading, when the old mother church, namely Peace Church, was born in the open country of Hancock County. The early settlers were immigrants who came directly from Germany. A few also came from an already established German settlement at New Knoxville, Ohio. Still others came right to Hancock County from their respective native lands. As yet there was no o