I. The Beginnings
1904 In 1904 a number of Lutherans of Gawler called upon Pastor
R. Ey of Rosedale to minister to them with the Word of God and the Sacraments. Services were first held in the home of J.W. Kurtz and then in "Little Glory Church" owned by the "Primitive Methodists". After Pastor Ey's death towards the end of the same year Services in Gawler were discontinued for a time until Pastor Ey's successor, Pastor J. Georg took up the work again. After some time Pastor Georg found, that because of the many duties in his own Parish he could not do justice to the work in Gawler. The little flock in Gawler was cared for by the S.A. District Church Council of the E.L.C.A. with the assistance of Pastors W. Schwarz, W. Westermann and E. and J. Homann. Average attendance at Services was 25 to 30 persons.
1908 On 26th July 1908 the "little flock" was formally organised as a Congregation to be known as Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Gawler. Foundation members were: J.W. Kurtz, A.G. Krieg, F.A. Zimmermann, H. Stockhausen, F.B.Wedding, J.W. Pfeist, J.F. Kuchel, J.H.C. Kalms and J.Zerk.

II. The Congregation During The Ministry of Pastor W. Janzow
1909 On 28th March 1909 the Congregation called Pastor W. Janzow, who agreed to serve the Congregation from Adelaide on the condition that he could call on Professor M.T. Winkler and others to assist him when necessary. The "Little Glory Church" was bought as a place for Lutheran Worship for £200 ($400). Trustees were: J.W. Kurtz, A.G. Krieg, F.B. Wedding and J. Zerk. Saturday School was organised. Mr. F.W. Hoffmann of the Lutheran School in Adelaide, agreed to teach for forty days a year in Gawler.
1910 On 2nd January 1910 the Congregation decided to become a member of the E.L.C.A. (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia). Membership at the time was: 83 baptized persons, 49 communicants, 14 voting members. On 9th October 1910 a Constitution for the Congregation was adopted.
1915 On 4th July 1915 the Saturday School was discontinued.

III. The Congregation During The Ministry of Pastor C.A. Wiebusch
1916 On 6th February 1916 the Congregation joined with Kapunda, Tanunda and Allen's Creek to form a Parish and called Pastor C.A. Wiebusch, who accepted the call and was installed as Pastor of the Parish on 20th August 1916 at Tanunda. The Pastor and his family first lived in a rented house in Gawler East.
1917 On Sunday 15th April 1917 a Sunday School was organised.
The teachers were: E.G. Krieg, J.B. Twartz, A.J. Eckermannand Miss A. Wiebusch. On 7th September 1917 a residence with a large garden at 15 Cowan Street (now 22a Cowan Street) was purchased as a Manse for £1,450 ($2,900).
1919 On 1st October 1919 a Ladies' Guild was organised. First officials were: President: Mrs. C.A. Wiebusch; Secretary:
Mrs. A.M. Twartz; Treasurer: Miss M. Eckermann.
1921 On 30th October 1921 the foundation stone of the new Church was laid.
1922 On 9th April 1922 the present Church was dedicated. The cost including furnishings, was approximately £3,000 ($6,000). Membership was 270 baptized, 150 communicants, 56 voting members.
1925 On 4th November 1925 the "Luther Society" (Youth Fellowship) was organised. First officials were: President: Pastor C.A. Wiebusch; Secretary: L. Heinrich; Treasurer: H.Heinrich.
1927 In 1927 the Parish was divided, Gawler and Tanunda forming the new Parish.
1928 In 1928 a Christian Lutheran Day School was established. Teacher was Mr. H. Mackenzie.
1933 On 11th January 1933 Pastor C.A. Wiebusch was suddenly taken out of this life through drowning.

IV. The Congregation During The Ministry of Pastor L.A. Presser
1933 On 1st October 1933 Pastor L.A. Presser was installed.
1941 The Christian Lutheran Day School was closed, and a Saturday School organised.
1942 On 1st July 1942 the Parish was again divided. The Zion Congregation now became a Parish in itself with Pastor L.A. Presser continuing at Gawler.
1947 On 13th April 1947 the 25th Anniversary of the dedication of the Church building was observed. The beautiful chancel window was installed at a cost of 300 pounds ($600). The interior of the Church was painted and carpet runners placed in the aisles.
1952 On 28th December 1952 Pastor Presser resigned for health reasons and preached his farewell sermon.

V. The Congregation During The Ministry of Pastor G.O. Minge
1953 On 25th January 1953 Pastor G.O. Minge was installed. On
9th August 1953 it was decided to sell the old Church (Little Glory Church) for £500 ($1,000) and to purchase 20 feet of ground from Mr. E. Dutschke and to erect a hail at the rear of the Church.
1954 On 9th May 1954 the foundation stone of the hail (Zion Lutheran Hall) was laid. On 26th September 1954 the hail was dedicated and opened. The total cost with furnishings was £5,800 ($11,600).
1955 On 22nd April 1955 a branch of the Lutheran Men's Association was formed. First officials were: President:A.A. Jericho; Vice-President: A.F. Twartz; Secretary-Treasurer: L.G. Simon.
1958 On 30th March 1958 an electronic organ was dedicated. (This was financed by a legacy of Miss D. Twartz and a gift of Mrs. J.E. Twartz). From 20th to 27th July 1958 the Golden Jubilee of the Congregation was celebrated. For the Jubilee the Congregation effected repairs and renovations to the Church Building costing about £400 ($800) and the Ladies' Guild provided a new carpet for the sanctuary and aisles at a cost of £491 ($982). Membership at 30th June 1958 was 491 baptized persons, 336 communicants and 126 voting members.
1964 Because of the overcrowding in the Church an enlarged porch incorporating a gallery was erected in 1964 at a cost of £5,335 ($10,670).
1965 On 11th April 1965 Pastor Minge informed the Zion Congregation that he had become President of the S.A.
District of the E.L.C.A. and the question had now arisen as to whether he would be able to do justice to the work involved with the Presidency as well as that of the Zion Congregation. On 16th May 1965 Pastor Minge gave notice that he had resigned from the pastorate of the Zion Congregation and had accepted the position as President of the S.A. District of the E.L.C.A. On 19th September 1965 Pastor Minge preached his farewell sermon as Pastor of the Zion Congregation.

VI. The Congregation During The Ministry of Pastor I.E. Zweck
1966 On 6th February 1966 Pastor I.E. Zweck was installed as Pastor of the Zion Congregation. On 14th April 1966 at a meeting of the Zion Congregation it was visualised that eventually Gawler should become a two Pastor Parish with two manses and that outreach work should be done in the Smithfield area. Negotiations were underway for Immanuel and Zion Congregations to become a Parish.
1967 On 9th April 1967 it was decided to purchase the E.T. Dutschke property at 24 Cowan Street. Junior Youth Fellowship was organised.
1969 Bible Studies after Services were introduced and a Vacation Bible School was held. On 31st August 1969 it was decided that a new manse be built and that the old manse be converted into a Christian Education Block. Because of the lack of a quorum at this meeting the decision was brought as a recommendation for ratification at a meeting after Service on 14th September 1969. This was done and it was decided that a new manse be built. In November 1969 it became known that the property at 20 Cowan Street was available for purchase. It was eventually decided that this property be purchased and the new manse be built on same.
1970 In May 1970 Pastor Zweck gave his farewell Sermon and left for Immanuel College to take up duties as Chaplain.

VII. The Congregation During The Ministry of Pastor N. Sander
1970 On 6th September 1970 Pastor N. Sander was installed as Pastor of "Lutheran Parish of Gawler", Zion Congregation together with Immanuel Congregation making up the Parish.
1971 On 20th June 1971 the foundation stone of the new manse was laid. On 10th October 1971 the new manse was dedicated after which Pastor and Mrs Sander and family took up residence. Home groups for Bible Studies and one afternoon group in the Zion Christian Education Centre were introduced. (These are arranged on a Parish basis).
1972 On 9th April 1972 the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Zion Church Building was celebrated. It happened to be exactly to the day that this anniversary was observed. Guest preacher was Pastor T.M.J. Wiebusch the elder son of the first resident Lutheran Pastor in Gawler - Pastor C.A. Wiebusch. One of the builders of the Church Mr. Oswald Rawolle was present at the Service and addressed the Congregation. In May 1972 retired Pastor H. Mattiske residing at Lutheran Rest Home Tanunda assisted with Pastoral work in Gawler on a two day a week basis. Travelling arrangements were made by the Parish purchasing a used car for Pastor Mattiske's work.
1973 On 12th August 1973 the "old manse", was dedicated as a Christian Education Centre. Family Fellowship was organised. During Pastor Mattiske's time of Service with Pastor Sander, arrangements were made for regular visits with entertainment and devotion to all (at that time 4) Senior Citizen's homes in Gawler.
1974 Discussions on a Parish level took place regarding the Lutheran Parish of Gawler becoming a 2 full-time Pastor Parish.
1975 On 28th July 1975 Pastor Mattiske died suddenly while at a meeting in Langmeil Lutheran Church, Tanunda. Soon after Pastor Mattiske's death it was decided on a Parish level, that the Lutheran Parish of Gawler consisting of the Zion and Immanuel Congregations should become a two Pastor Parish.

VIII. The Congregation During The Ministry of Pastors N. Sander and C.E. Eckermann
1976 On 8th February 1976 Pastor C.E. Eckermann was installed as co-Pastor of the Zion and Immanuel Congregations with Pastor Sander.
During 1976, 1977 and 1978 much time was spent considering the establishment of a Christian Lutheran Primary School or a Christian Kindergarten. It was agreed that this should be a Parish undertaking. It was further agreed to by the Zion Congregation at the request of the Parish that it provide the facilities for a Kindergarten.
1978 Pastor Eckermann's health had declined to the extent that he felt he could not continue the work in Gawler. After he had done much work in connection with the establishment of the Zion Pre-School Centre (Kindergarten), he had to retire from active Parish ministry. On 14th May 1978 Pastor Eckermann preached his farewell sermon.

IX. The Congregation During The Ministry of Pastors N. Sander and R.E. Goldhardt
1978 On 2nd July 1978 Pastor R.E. Goldhardt was installed as coPastor of Zion and Immanuel Congregations with Pastor Sander. With the help of Zion and Immanuel members outreach work in the Munno Para areas was now undertaken. On 3rd December 1978 the newly established Kindergarten facilities were dedicated. The western wall of Zion hall was removed and the stones used for the building of a toilet block and the "back yard" of the "E. Dutschke house" (purchased in 1967) was put under roof and the house itself renovated, so that today there is a well equipped Christian Kindergarten functioning with full approval of the Church and the State Kindergarten Union.
1979 The Zion Pre-School Centre (the official name of the Kindergarten) opened its doors to the "little ones" at the beginning of the School Year in 1979 with 6 children. (At the time of writing, 9th June 1983, the enrolment is between 70 and 80). Mrs. R. Materne, the first director is still serving in this capacity (9th June 1983).
1980 On 3rd February 1980 Miss Beverly Nitschke (now Mrs. Martin Corner) was installed as Parish worker in "Lutheran Parish of Gawler".
1981 A Confirmation Fellowship was organised. Once a month 1st and 2nd year confirmees come together after lessons for fellowship tea, Bible Study and recreation.
1982 On 4th April 1982 the 60th anniversary of the present Church Building was observed with Pastor T.M.J.
Wiebusch being guest preacher as was the case at the 50th Anniversary. (The Church Building was given a new roof for this anniversary).
1983 On 24th July 1983 the 75th anniversary of the organisation of the Zion Congregation is being observed (the actual day is the 26th July 1983).
To mark the occasion special Services are being held as follows: Sunday 24th July 10.00 a.m. with Pastor A.P.H. Freund as guest preacher. Since the late Pastor R. Ey was the first Pastor to serve "the little flock" at Gawler and Mrs. Freund is a daughter of the late Pastor Ey it was felt that by asking Pastor Freund to be guest preacher there is a direct connection with the beginnings of the Congregation. On the same day there will be an evening Service with Pastor G. Fischer, a son of the Zion Congregation as guest preacher. To further mark the occasion of the 75th anniversary a new electronic organ has been purchased for the Church and the church building has been renovated and painted both inside and outside. The hall and Kindergarten have had the exterior painted. The former organ is now serving the Lilydale Congregation in Victoria. A cross which is illuminated at nights and affixed to the cross on the eastern end of the church is a gift from one of our members, now deceased.