In 1882 signals the beginnings of the Zion Lutheran Church of Oriska, North Dakota. Rev. Maerz held meetings of the faithful from Oriska area in the homes of Emil Haase, A. Kuhn and P. Allamscha for serveral years. In January of 1891, the church was formally organized and Rev. H. Schoenlein called as the pastor. On June 1, 1895, the Rev. J. F. L. Bohnhoff, who served Trinity Lutheran of Valley City, Zion of Getchell and St. Paul of Sanborn, became the pastor of Oriska's Zion as well. The Reverend Bohnhoff served this parish until his death in 1943, or forty-eight years of dedication.
A small church, Zion Lutheran nevertheless, through the dedication of its members, constructed and then dedicated a debt-free church building on August 6, 1904. At the time it served only twelve families, who raised three thousand dollars to pay for the construction.
In 1973 the connection with the Trinity Lutheran Church of Valley City was discontinued and The Rev. J. A. Coughlin of Fargo, a retired pastor, served during 1974-1975, with Dr. James Bailey, Professor of Religion at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, conducting services during the summer of 1975.
Church membership totals 108, with 89 confirmed members and 17 in Sunday School.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 306