Latimer Lutheran Church Preservation Society

Goal: $15,000.00

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.
• Considering restoring the altar in the front of the Sanctuary of the church, to its original look in 1949.
• We need new carpeting throughout the sanctuary and for a staircase leading down to the basement.
• Complete any other exterior work needing repair or replacement.

Interior Needs:

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

In the years 2022 and 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. We have been working on this goal since 2023 and currently have completed 10 out of the 20 original windows.  We plant to restore 5 more windows during the summer of 2026.  That will leave us with 5 remaining windows out of the original 20 windows to restore in 2027 which will complete this goals. 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.

The carpeting in the Narthex, the Sanctuary and the carpet on the steps leading down to the basement, are in dire need of replacing and in some places, are a "trip hazard."  These carpets likely were placed in the 1970's. 

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 fourth 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.