13 East Main St Fairfield, PA 17320
About Us...
From the Pastors desk...
Grace and peace be unto you from God, our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
The beginning of July I began as Interim Pastor at St. John Lutheran Church. Perhaps your first thought was: What is an Interim Pastor? Answer: An Interim Pastor serves a congregation “between” Pastors. This past June, The Pastor at St. John retired after nine years of ministry, so I was assigned here to do ministry and help the congregation through this transition until a Pastor is called. Typically, this process takes a year or two. Although the term “Interim” implies “temporary”, let me assure you that I am assuming all the pastoral responsibilities and ministries of the Church.
Who am I? I retired from my full-time ministry in July 2021 after 41 years. During that time I served sic different congregations in Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. I have served small rural parishes to large suburban churches. I have served alone, as well as being an Associate and Senior Pastor. My wife grew up in Gettysburg and I graduated from Gettysburg Seminary, so we feel like we have “come back home.”
Currently we are in “summer mode” so church activities are a bit different from the school year… but we are not closed! I invite you to join us for Sunday worship each week at 9:00 am as we gather to hear God’s Word and receive the Sacrament of Communion. We are a friendly group of God’s people welcoming ALL people. Together we walk by faith, loving God and serving those in need.
In the Fall we will shift into gear with Sunday School, choirs, confirmation and other ministries and programs. Please check out our many ministries into the community listed here on our website.
May God’s joy, peace and blessings be with you,
Pastor Scott Zimmerer
Our History
1854 September 10, 1854, the cornerstone was laid for the present church building.
1855 On May 29th the church was named Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church as part of the Emmitsburg-Fountaindale charge, incorporated by the laws of Adams County.
1863 In July the church became a hospital for severely wounded soldiers from the Gettysburg Battle of the Civil War near Fairfield.
1890 In October the church was renovated and the Sunday School room (our present- day gathering area) was added, the choir loft installed, the balcony removed, the pulpit alcove was added, and the bell tower and narthex were erected.
1892 On February 2nd the building was completed and Fairfield separated from the Emmitsburg charge.
1916 The church was wired for electric lights and a telephone was installed in the parsonage.
1924 New pipe organ was installed. The parsonage was demolished and a new parsonage was built, which is now the parish house.
1949 A parish hall was added to the church building.
1968 The union of St John's United Church of Christ and Zion Lutheran Church as 'St John Lutheran Church' took place on January 1st.
2005 January 16, 2005 the new parish hall was dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 1 2005.