Incorporated in 1847, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church had several places of worship beginning near Public Square and progressively moving east until the church was constructed in 1903. The building was designed by Paul Matzinger and incorporates both Romanesque and Gothic Revival styles. Formed by German immigrants, the congregation’s services were held exclusively in German until 1881, when English services were introduced. Bilingual worship continued through 1986. Zion Evangelical is considered a “mother church” to five other Lutheran churches of the German Missouri Synod in Cleveland. The church is said to have hosted a Cleveland holiday milestone in that one of the first Christmas trees, complete with lit candles, was brought to a church service on December 24, 1851. This building was designated as a Cleveland Landmark in 1974.