Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church A Confessional, Traditional Lutheran Church Serving Tampa Bay
A Brief History of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tampa
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tampa is a confessional Lutheran church within the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. At Zion, we teach the Word of God truly and practice the historical liturgy of the church. Zion was first established on July 16, 1893, moving into our present location in 1925. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church was the first LCMS Parish in Tampa Bay, serving as the Mother Church for several LCMS Parishes.
Zion’s present Gothic Revival red brick structure was dedicated on October 25, 1925. The iconic “Ascension Window” in stained glass was unveiled during the church’s 50th Golden Anniversary in 1943.
Throughout the World War II era, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church played a commendable role, hosting many local servicemen. The church was deeply rooted in community service, and one of Zion’s pastors served as Chaplain of the City of Tampa Police.
Zion’s commitment to true teaching and Christian service has historically extended beyond her own congregation. Zion’s youth group played a pivotal role in establishing seven new LCMS Churches in Tampa Bay, including Messiah Lutheran Church, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Land O’ Lakes, and Hope Lutheran Church in Plant City.
Embracing a broader outreach mission, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church actively engaged in ministering to transient populations and supporting humanitarian efforts. The church’s impact resonated further as it catalyzed the creation of the Tampa Urban Ministry Advisory Council.
Today, the historic Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church building stands as a registered Tampa Historical site, symbolizing its enduring significance within the city.
About Our Pastor
Kenneth Redmann was born in August 1951 and grew up in various farming communities in Iowa. He attended Pekin Community High School where he lettered in four sports and graduated as a National Honor Student. In 1969, Kenneth enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in California, Hawaii, and Viet Nam. Kenneth attended the University of Northern Iowa and St. Petersburg Community College.
Kenneth met Linda Bonnett in middle school and they married in 1971. They have 3 children, Jean (Steve) Jones of Land O’ Lakes, FL; Janel (Brian) Dorn of Venice, FL; and Daniel Redmann of Lindenhurst, IL.—5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. The Redmann family resided in Pinellas County, FL from 1974 -1992, where Kenneth owned and operated retail businesses and where the children attended Lutheran schools through 8th grade. During this time, Kenneth was an extremely active layman, serving in many capacities at Grace Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg.
In 1992, Kenneth followed God’s call to serve by enrolling at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN. After 3 years of study, he served his Vicarage at Clear Lake Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, IN. Upon graduation in 1996 with a Master of Divinity degree, he was ordained and installed as Pastor at Clear Lake Lutheran Church. Pastor Redmann accepted a Divine Call to Lutheran Church of the Cross in Port Charlotte, FL in 2000. During his 17 years there, the Lord richly provided for the purchase of five contiguous acres, recovery from Hurricane Charley where the church, parsonage and a majority of 183 households sustained damage, building a multifunction ministry center, opening a pre-school, and constructing a 60 foot tall cross monument beside Interstate 75.
Upon retirement in 2017, Pastor and Linda moved to north central Pasco County where daily Pastor Redmann asked, “Lord, what ministry do you have for me now?” Although he served as “fill-in pastor”, taught some Bible classes and witnessed to countless people on the golf course, Kenneth’s focus was repeatedly drawn to a myriad of unexpected health issues, such as prostate cancer, heart attack (the “widow maker”), and total hip replacement. Now, after 8 years of retirement, it is clear that our Lord was bringing all things together perfectly for Pastor Redmann to serve historic Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tampa in its rebirth. To God be all glory!
