Zion United Methodist Women celebrate 170 years

In celebration of 170 years of ministry, a modified version of the "Church Basement Ladies" will be presented by members of Zion United Methodist Women on Sunday, Feb. 22, immediately after the 10:15 a.m. service at Zion United Methodist Church, 157 W. Jefferson Ave. in Hampshire.

The public is welcome to the service and the short performance which will highlight the group's history and many years of charity.

Because the church didn't have a basement until the 1950s, as many as 30 women took turns meeting in each other's homes every month. They were originally called the Evangelical Helping Hands and then the Women's Society of Christian Service. Though their name and even their denomination changed over the years, still the group has always supported the ministry and the mission of the church and community.

The congregation is Hampshire's pioneer church, which was founded in 1845 as the German Evangelical Church in nearby Pigeon Woods by German-speaking farmers from Ohio.

The original structure was located adjacent to the Aurand Cemetery at 45W478 Kelley Road.

For information, call the church at (847) 683-2430 or go to zionunitedmethodistchurchofhampshire.com.