Zion Lutheran Church

102 N Washington St
Athens, New York 12015
(518) 945-1707

Zion Lutheran Church, the longest running continuous Lutheran Congregation in America has had its footprint in the Athens community for 316 years. Its leadership role is evident in the Outreach and Social programs we have kept in place for centuries. Even today, we are expanding our role not just in Athens, but in Greene County.

We have an active membership with 15-20 members attending Sunday service weekly. One member’s family is from the original Congregation in 1703 as documented in the published book, “The Albany Protocol”. The Bell rings in our community at 8:50 AM with the call to service from our bell tower.

Listed below are some of our Outreach programs and our social position in the community.

• Athens Community Food Pantry, we have sponsored the pantry for over a decade and have recently renovated our empty space for a new Pantry located at our church. Originally, we were in the village building downtown. Today it serves between 90-100 families monthly

• Hands and Hearts Mission, a group of members along with other members from other Churches in the community formed this to actively serve the communities needs. We are an Action Mission driven by results. Formed about five years ago we have the Five Loaves Project that serves hot meals to those who are hungry and or in need. This is not in conjunction with the Food Pantry. We noticed people falling thru the cracks weekly that the pantry does not serve. The Project serves 50 meals on Thursday nights. We reach approx. 60-75 people each month. Fully funded by Volunteers and local donations. Our Veterans Project serves the needs of local veterans. We are fundraising (Military Tribute Banners for the village of Athens) for the repairs to their American Legion hall, serving 50-75 local vets. The Veterans Project is also coordinating the Placement of Hometown Veterans Banners placed on our Utility poles in the Village of Athens.

• Our Straley Hall is also used for the Athens Garden Club, meeting once a month and events are informational to the community and do plantings in the Village. They have approx. 65 members meeting regularly.

• Our Sanctuary is used by the community over the years for seasonal, Christmas and Holidays. We have restored our Pipe Organ some 40 years ago and it is only one of a few in the country. The original manufacturer still services the Organ, He is 93 years old. The organ was refabricated and relocated when the Congregation was outgrowing its sq./ft with attendance at the services in the mid 70’s

Zion was and will always be called “A Beehive of Activity” in the Hudson Valley and The Lutheran Church. We pride our building and our role in the community. Our role in the community might look different from its role 50 -75 years ago. Times have changed and so has the position of the Church Community.