Just the Facts
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
53013 CR 19 Bristol, IN
Phone: 574-848-4880
E-mail
zionelca@verizon.net
Pastor: Karen Strietelmeier
Church built 1858
Has only 1 of 2 churchyards for burials in Bristol community. Original church renovated 1906 & 1947, but due to heavy wind damage, new church was being built in 1951, when a fire destroyed it. Present building completed in 1955.
For next 150 years
A number of years ago, congregation bought 30 acres at corner CR6 & 19 opposite the current church, with plans to build a new one. But until they inherited the Bartlett estate and property along CR8, just west of CR 19, when Mr. Beckett died Jan. 16, 2009, their fund raising efforts were modest.
Future Plans
The gift of 116 acres of Mr. Beckett's property will allow church to move forward on their plans. Mr. Beckett moved to Hubbard Hills about 12 years ago, and the house on his property was later destroyed in an arson fire. The property was cleared of debris and several developers are reviewing it to possibly moving portion of CR 8 (old River Road) to the north to allow for expanding river homesites, as well as possible developments similar to Pheasant Ridge on CR6.
In August, 2009, clearing began of the property, directed by Howard Holderman executor of the Bartlett Beckett estate and church member, and Earl Petersheim who coordinated the 6-week removal of 60 years accumulation of old cars, tractors and other farm equipment that Mr. Beckett had collected. The land was left to the church, as Mr. Beckeet had no immediate relatives. The church building site is also now being cleared.
As a training exercise, BFD volunteers burned the remains of several barns and outbuildings and piles of debris so that the machinery could be removed from the woods.
Recognizing increased need for fire protection for the many homes across the river from the Bristol Fire Dept., the church donated one acre of their new church site at corner of CR19 & 6, to the Fire Dept. who plan fund raising efforts to build a new substation.
Fire Territory vote delayed
Fire Protection Territory update: An initial public hearing was held prior to the normal monthly Town Council meeting at the Bristol Public Library to accommodate the more than 50 persons who attended. The Fire Dept's representative Umbaugh and Associates explained why such a territory is needed. According to Fire Chief Faye Kemp, the primary reason is that they cannot pay their bills, pay salaries high enough to keep professionals, and replace vehicles. Although the original territory plan had included 3 entities: Town of Bristol, Washington and part of York Township, York would continue on a contract basis.
Public comment addressed taxpayers concerns for higher taxes, especially for rentals, businesses and agricultural land, while others expressed concern with the State of Indiana abolishing Townships and eventually consolidating all local fire departments. Umbaugh Associates advised that establishing a fire territory would mean equalizing payment among the entities, and preventing the takeover. However, since the State is considering a bill to ban communities forming new fire territories after this year, it is imperative that if this is to be done, it be done this year. Some expressed concern that a substation was planned to be built on CR 6, while others expressed concern that if they don't build a station, that the homes at the edge of the territory are at risk.
Chief Kemp informed the crowd that the substation has been removed from the plan at this time, since they had received negative comments that if they were in need of money to pay bills or fully staff the existing station, that they should not be building an additional facility.
After much discussion, the public hearing was closed, and the Town Council agreed not to hold a vote at this time, but to schedule two additional hearings prior to the end of March to gather more public input prior to making such an important decision. The time and place of future meetings will be announced when they are set.
Public input had been sought prior to a pending vote by the Bristol Town Council on joining a proposed Fire Protection Territory. The initial plans had called for building a satellite Fire Station across the river on the one acre of land donated by the Zion Church.
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