http://www.volgagermans.net/portland/Portland_Zion_Church.htm
Reverend Theodore Strobel arrived at Zion on January 1, 1947. In 1952, the
question of whether German or English should be used in church services was a
matter of great concern to the church membership. Many of the younger people
lost interest in the church because of their inability to read and understand
the German language which was used a most services. Some younger people left the
church and the Albina neighborhood to seek English speaking churches and new
areas to live. A compromise was made and the younger people were allowed to buy
the English Hymnals; this made it possible for young and old alike to worship in
the language best understood. The language problem was not resolved in Reverend
Strobel’s pastorate but would diminish by the early 1960’s as English became the
primary language used in church services. At the same time the language issue
emerged, the need was felt for an organization of young married couples. The
Fellowship Club was the result of this need and this group became one of the
most active organizations in the church. Reverend Strobel also organized a
Junior Choir in 1947.[6] Reverend Strobel also served as the pastor of a church
in Lodi, California. Reverend Strobel’s first wife died and he remarried.
Reverend Strobel and his second wife died within hours of each other. on
February 13, 1983
