Who we are and What We Believe

From our humble beginnings as a small country church in Magley, Indiana, to our beautiful brick church in downtown Decatur, Indiana, Zion United Church of Christ has served Jesus Christ and our community since 1860. Known initially as Zion German Reformed Church, a simple building was constructed at the corner of Third and Jackson Streets in Decatur and dedicated in 1863. Our current building was completed in 1923.

The 1930s saw several mergers of German Protestant Churches. The Congregational Church and Christian Churches became the Congregational Christian Church. A merger of German Reformed churches with the Evangelical Synod of North America occurred in 1934, resulting in the formation of the Evangelical and Reformed Church.  These churches all joined together in 1957 to become what we know today as the United Church of Christ. Today’s UCC has 1.5 million members in 6000 congregations throughout the United States.

We continue to seek ways to reach out to those in need of Christ’s salvation while remaining true to our traditional roots. Our 100-year-old pipe organ provides the basis of our vibrant music program and our Sunday services are based in the words of the Scriptures. Worship is offered both in person and online.

The goal of the UCC is to promote cooperation and unity between churches and denominations, bringing people everywhere together in the name of Christ and building relationships with other denominations and religions. The mission of the church is to work for justice for all and to bring the Gospel to all.

The United Church of Christ offers unity for Christians of diverse traditions, a heritage of working for Christ’s kingdom, and freedom for congregations and individuals under Christ.