Latimer Lutheran Church Preservation Society

Goal: $20,000.00

Specific Need

We have many short- and long-term goals for the building itself. Goals relevant to Match Day support include but are not limited to the following:

Exterior Needs:

• Restore or repair where necessary, the original windows, storm windows, window trim, and siding to as close of a match to the current original windows and siding as possible, thus maintaining the original architectural integrity of the church.
• Repaint all exterior of the building.
• Replace door and frame at rear of chapel
• Repair and refinish handicap ramp.
• Remove, replace, and recover the front steps leading to the main entrance of the church.
• Considering replacing current front entrance door to what the original door looked like when the building was first moved to Latimer in 1949. 
• Considering restoring the altar in the front of the Sanctuary of the church, to its original look in 1949.
• Complete any other exterior work needing repair or replacement.

Interior Needs:

• Assess and repair minor moisture issues in basement.
• Establish a “history room” – Purchase glass cabinets, tables, and other materials needed to display historic and memorabilia items.

In the year 2022 and early 2023, we were able to secure funding through generous donations to replace our old guttering and trench the downspouts underground for improved drainage during rainstorms. Pinelux Exteriors, LLC from Osage City, Kansas were the contractors we hired for the job. Since completion, there has been a notable reduction in water entering our basement, practically none. Additionally, the same company improved our basement window wells for better drainage away from the basement windows.

Our top priority project is to restore the 20 original windows from the building's construction in 1942. Unfortunately, the windows are decaying at different rates, with most containing rotten wood. To restore them, we need to reglaze all the windows and rebuild some wood components. Although the jambs are in fair condition, the casings are not, and many of the sills have already given away. We have received bids from three reputable restoration companies, but since the restoration cost is significant, we have researched available grants to support the project. Our goal is to restore the original windows to their former glory, rather than replacing them with modern ones. This restoration will enhance the building's appearance and reflect its history as the military chapel at the Herington Army Air Base during WWII.

Our organization has also set a goal to restore the front steps of our building. The current cement steps were constructed after Zion Lutheran Church purchased the building and moved it from Herington Army Air Base to Latimer. It is important to note that these steps are not the original ones that led into the building when it was located on the base. A professional restoration contractor has evaluated the staircase and recommended a complete replacement due to shifting that has occurred over the years. Additionally, we plan to include a handicap ramp alongside the new staircase to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The estimated cost to remove and replace the staircase and add the ramp falls between $10,000 and $15,000.

Anyone wishing to help our fund meet our goals to restore the building, are welcomed to make a donation directly using this link: https://www.emporiacf.org/donate.cfm?fid=2170#top-of-form. We also encourage anyone to visit our website, where anyone can also donate at https://www.latimerchurchpreservation.org 

The Latimer Lutheran Church Preservation Society greatly appreciates any donation made and we thank you for your support!

 

Mission

Our goal is to honor the history and heritage of the former Zion Lutheran Church in Latimer, Kansas, and preserve its properties for the surrounding community and the public.

We are excited to have established a fund with the Emporia Community Foundation for the second consecutive year. The ECF Board approved our fund in February 2022, and we are eager to contribute to the restoration and preservation of this building, which has been a crucial part of the Latimer community for over 70 years. While the church held its final service on December 26, 2021, we believe that it can serve a new purpose by attaining recognition as a Kansas Historical Site, and ultimately as a National Historic Site.

Profile

The former Zion Lutheran Church was originally constructed onsite at the Herington Army Air Field in 1942 during WWII and served as a chapel for approximately 3 years. This airfield was a staging area for overseas deployment of heavy bombers and their crews. Per request of Eleanor Roosevelt, cantonments were to include a multi-denominational chapel designed to resemble the small county churches that dotted the countryside of our nation, to were to be a place of spiritual comfort for the soldiers. This church still retains most of its original chapel features and is an extraordinary example of a relatively intact WWII Series 800 cantonment chapel. A recent submittal to the Kansas Historical Society has determined that is potentially eligible for both the State and National Historic Register. A nomination form for these registers will be submitted soon.

A famous Kansan from Pilsen, Kansas, Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun, Medal of Honor recipient, and currently under process of canonization for Sainthood in the Catholic Church, was chaplain at the chapel (moved eventually to Latimer) while at Herington Army Air Field, and was a prisoner of war during the Korean War where he provided comfort and ministry to fellow prisoners. He died May 23, 1951 in a POW camp in North Korea. 

When the war ended, the Zion Lutheran Congregation of Latimer, established in 1910, purchased the church in 1946 and moved the chapel in one piece to the current location at 106 Main Street in Latimer. It was dedicated on May 1, 1949 and has since served as the Zion Lutheran Church for 72 years, until its closing on December 26, 2021.

Historically, it is an example of a German settlement community and of the 1861 Lutheran ministry expansion in central Kansas This church served the town of Latimer and the larger Clarks Creek Township area and was a focal point of the community, therefore holds many special memories with much local heritage and history with all the years of the activities and services that occurred and will continue to be a source of much genealogical information to the surrounding community.