Zion Lutheran School’s early history is a testament to the dedication of its founders, teachers, and families, who worked tirelessly to ensure that Christian education would remain a cornerstone of the Lake Stevens community for generations to come.
Pastor Ebeling
Establishes a church school on the site of the present-day Parish Hall at Zion Lutheran Church, Snohomish, Washington.
The fledgling school
A one-room frame structure with homemade desks and blackboards. Lessons are conducted in German.
Martin C. Kosche
18-year-old Chicago resident accepts a call to teach at Zion Lutheran School. He will serve as a teacher until 1956.
Zion Student Body
Enrollment increases rapidly. An addition to the schoolroom is built and more classes and teachers are added.
School Room
“Our school was mostly German until World War I started. This was the setup of the first Zion Lutheran School. The teacher’s desk and a pump organ were in front of the room on a platform, the boys sat on the left; and the girls on the right side of the room. The class would sing hymns and songs in German and English.” – Leona Peters, Class of 1919
Picnic Day
“Our old-time picnic was in the Hollaender Orchard, currently where Avenues J, K and 5th and 7th cross. The school children met at the school and marched about a mile with our little flags over our shoulders. [At the picnic] they had a concession stand with pop, ice cream, candy bars, popcorn, etc. We all got a number of tickets free for the treats.” – Leona Peters, Class of 1919
German
The last class to be confirmed in German.
Pastor Franz Schoknecht
Under the leadership, the congregation initiates an ambitious building program for a combination church and school located at 4th Street and Avenue A, the present church site.
Construction of new Zion Church and School
“Each day we would be called on to recite from memory a hymn, creed, Bible lesson, or Bible memory work. Memory work was easy for me, but arithmetic was not. Fortunately, my older sister Elinor was good at it and helped me a lot.” – Myrtle Lanbecker Chase, Class of 1936
New Schoolrooms
located in the daylight basement of Zion Lutheran Church, open in December. Grades 1-4 are taught in one room; grades 5-8 in the other.
New Church
The new church buildings are dedicated in April.
Mr. Kosche’s Tree
“There was an Italian prune tree next to the school yard. I could not resist eating the fruit from this tree at the beginning of the school year. The tree was in Teacher Kosche’s yard so I and others were reprimanded. When I was in Mr. Kosche’s room, I, along with some other boys volunteered to stack firewood for Mr. Kosche so we could skip class.” – Larry Bartelheimer, Class of 1943
Post-War Modernization
After World War II, Zion Lutheran School experienced significant growth. The post-war boom brought new families to Lake Stevens, increasing enrollment. In 1957, the school split classes into distinct grades to better serve the growing student body. Facilities were expanded, and the curriculum was modernized to include contemporary subjects, ensuring a well-rounded education while maintaining a strong commitment to Christian values.
Parish Hall Education Unit Built
The Parish Hall-Education Unit is constructed to accommodate the growing school population. “There were three grades together 3rd, 4th, and 5th, which made up two rows of each grade in the classroom. It was required for students to take music lessons, either piano or accordion. I chose accordion, and ended up playing at every function, in spite of my nerves. Recess games included baseball, squareball, and tetherball.” – Sue Ohlde Boblett, Class of 1963
Continued Increases
Zion school enrollment strain classroom space and resources. To accommodate the growing number of students, classes are taught in rented space at other churches and the Maltby community hall. Parents, students, and teachers shuttle between the facilities.
School Cook Billie Ulrich
When I went to school it was at the “town campus” where currently the preschool and my daughter Hanna’s kindergarten class is held. The second through eighth grades were in the church basement. Billie Ulrich was the cook at that time, and she would let the eighth-grade class choose a favorite meal once a week. Each eighth grader would get a sign reading, “Yes, we have no bananas.” – Ernie Fredrickson, Class of 1971
Land Acquisition
Zion Lutheran Church acquires land north of Snohomish, and construction begins on a new day school there.
Second Grade Teacher, Helen Klahn
“When I look back on my experience at Zion School, I am struck by the commitment of the teachers and support staff. I consider myself fortunate to have had two extraordinary teachers, Lillian Trapp and Helen Klahn. These women were extremely creative, patient, and nurturing. These people could have made much higher salaries in the public school system but because of their caring and integrity chose to work in a Christian setting. We who had the opportunity to pass through Zion School were blessed for it.” – Sophie Wright Meinhold, Class of 1979
School Dedication
The “Country School” is dedicated and opens for classes in September 1979.
Campus Move
Grades 1 and 2 move to the Country Campus.
Classroom Addition
A portable classroom is added to house the 7th grade.
Fundraising Efforts
Additional portables, playground equipment, and a covered play area are added through the fundraising efforts of the Parent-Teacher-League.
New Computer Lab
A generous donation to Zion Lutheran School is used to establish a computer lab.
New Resource Teacher
Contracted to design and implement the Resource Room. The Resource Room allows for individualized student instruction and enrichment.
100 years
Zion Lutheran School celebrates 100 years of Christ-centered education.
New Association
The Lutheran School Association, comprised of five churches, is formed. Preschool and Kindergarten classes are moved to the Country Campus. Three additional classrooms are added and dedicated to meet the growing needs of the school.
111 years
Zion celebrates 111 years as a member of the community.
Looking ahead, Zion Lutheran School is excited to see how God will continue to use this ministry for His glory. As we embark into this next season, we remain committed to honoring the vision of our founders while embracing the future. With the support of a passionate faculty, engaged families, and a loving community, we look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, confident that God’s hand will continue to guide us in the years to come.