The Deutsche Evangelisch-Lutherische Zions-Gemeinde had its start on the first Sunday in Advent (December 2) of 1855. On that morning, twelve German immigrants met for worship with Pastor Friedrich W. T. Steimle in a small rented hall at the corner of Nassau and Fulton Streets.
Although there were other Protestant churches in the area, some even using the German language, these founders wanted to preserve their identity and their heritage as Lutheran Christians, firmly committed to the Holy Scriptures and the 16th-century Lutheran Confessions. As a way of keeping pure doctrine, they obligated the congregation to always use German for worship and church business.
Many German immigrants soon joined the new congregation, which moved to a larger hall at 189 Washington Street in May 1856, when the name Zion was adopted. By November of that year, Zion had grown enough to be incorporated and the present building was purchased for $14,500. Although it was built in 1839 as a Dutch Reformed church, the building was being used as a concert hall until Zion dedicated it on the first Sunday in Advent (November 30) of 1856. Zion thus occupies the oldest church building still in use in Brooklyn Heights.