Who knew that anybody in the 20th century could possibly think that the
world was flat? Only W. C. Voliva, and his followers at the Christian
Catholic Apostolic Church in Zion City , Illinois ! While I make it a
practice not to comment on anyone’s religious beliefs, this is certainly
rather extreme. Wonder what a psychological study on this man would
have indicated? Oh, my! DeNile certainly is more than a river in Africa
, isn’t it?
Kelly Fetherlin
*****
You almost had me fooled on this one
thinking it was the Mormon church but I
wasn't quite convinced so I went a little
further on my research and came up with
the...link
Edee Scott
*****
This one, although relatively easy, was
interesting. A couple of the "hits" made
when doing a google search were on a
site whih I had not seen before, i.e. the
Time Magazine Archives, which go as far
world was flat? Only W. C. Voliva, and his followers at the Christian
Catholic Apostolic Church in Zion City , Illinois ! While I make it a
practice not to comment on anyone’s religious beliefs, this is certainly
rather extreme. Wonder what a psychological study on this man would
have indicated? Oh, my! DeNile certainly is more than a river in Africa
, isn’t it?
Kelly Fetherlin
*****
You almost had me fooled on this one
thinking it was the Mormon church but I
wasn't quite convinced so I went a little
further on my research and came up with
the...link
Edee Scott
*****
This one, although relatively easy, was
interesting. A couple of the "hits" made
when doing a google search were on a
site whih I had not seen before, i.e. the
Time Magazine Archives, which go as far
Hello Colleen
I'm glad to hear from you. The girl to the right is my oldest sister Eloise, who died in
2002, but I am positive its not the same as I think those signs were up in the 1912 to
1922. She was born in 1922. I thought the girl in the picture looked like my Aunt Lola
so I had my daughter compare and she said there weren't the same. It leaves me to
think it's a prank picture some girl had her boy friend take to make fun of the idea. As I
understand there was lots of that in Zion by outsiders.
It's ok wit me to use any of the pics I have on ancestry.com. I would appreciate any
info or other pics about Zion that you have.
I have attached another sign pic that reveals it all as to what was forbidden. The people
of Zion were really good people, and the press made the most of his predictions and
I'm glad to hear from you. The girl to the right is my oldest sister Eloise, who died in
2002, but I am positive its not the same as I think those signs were up in the 1912 to
1922. She was born in 1922. I thought the girl in the picture looked like my Aunt Lola
so I had my daughter compare and she said there weren't the same. It leaves me to
think it's a prank picture some girl had her boy friend take to make fun of the idea. As I
understand there was lots of that in Zion by outsiders.
It's ok wit me to use any of the pics I have on ancestry.com. I would appreciate any
info or other pics about Zion that you have.
I have attached another sign pic that reveals it all as to what was forbidden. The people
of Zion were really good people, and the press made the most of his predictions and
What a transition from last week's photo: going from hanging out in a Boston smoke
shop to a smokeout in communal church group coupled with a anti antismoking protest.
A good explanation of said church history can be found on Wikipedia website. Of
interest is the mention that certain words have multiple meanings depending on your
point of view. Amongst the beliefs of said church group was the archaic belief of flat
earthism: the earth is but a flat disc and movements of sun and moon are but optical
illusions. Anyone who flies at 35,000 in a passenger jet can see the curvature of the
earth; on a clear night, the earth can be seen rotating clockwise by observing movement
of Big Dipper stars past a building or tree north of your vantage point.
To tie into another contest photo: I would wonder if certain members of California Flat
Earth Society reflected moon and sun beams at passing trains.
So far I have been doing these contest photos by the seat of my pants without reading
the book; I guess I better order the book to refine my research efforts. As with pictures
and photos: one picture is worth a thousand words-- who what, where, when and why,
etc. Mike Dalton
N.B. Buy the book! Don't wait for the movie!
*****
shop to a smokeout in communal church group coupled with a anti antismoking protest.
A good explanation of said church history can be found on Wikipedia website. Of
interest is the mention that certain words have multiple meanings depending on your
point of view. Amongst the beliefs of said church group was the archaic belief of flat
earthism: the earth is but a flat disc and movements of sun and moon are but optical
illusions. Anyone who flies at 35,000 in a passenger jet can see the curvature of the
earth; on a clear night, the earth can be seen rotating clockwise by observing movement
of Big Dipper stars past a building or tree north of your vantage point.
To tie into another contest photo: I would wonder if certain members of California Flat
Earth Society reflected moon and sun beams at passing trains.
So far I have been doing these contest photos by the seat of my pants without reading
the book; I guess I better order the book to refine my research efforts. As with pictures
and photos: one picture is worth a thousand words-- who what, where, when and why,
etc. Mike Dalton
N.B. Buy the book! Don't wait for the movie!
*****
organization "like Hitler's" to combat them.
Finally in 1935, Zion's voters defeated all but one of his candidates for local office.
Creditors of Zion Industries and Institutions Inc., bent on a receivership reorganization
which would exclude Voliva from all share in its management, had him hauled into
Federal court.
Finally in 1935, Zion's voters defeated all but one of his candidates for local office.
Creditors of Zion Industries and Institutions Inc., bent on a receivership reorganization
which would exclude Voliva from all share in its management, had him hauled into
Federal court.
Voliva diversified Zion Industries, an industrial concern owned by the church that
manufactured Scottish lace, to include a bakery which produced the popular Zion brand
fig bar cookies and White Dove chocolates. Zion was a one-company town and its
workers were paid substandard wages.
South Africa, Switzerland, Germany, Jamaica, Mexico and other places. The
domination attracted a large following of very talented men and women with
exceptional ideas.
domination attracted a large following of very talented men and women with
exceptional ideas.
 |  |  |  |
| If you enjoy our quizzes, don't forget to order our books! Click here. |
| If you have a picture you'd like us to feature a picture in a future quiz, please email it to us at CFitzp@aol.com. If we use it, you will receive a free analysis of your picture. You will also receive a free Forensic Genealogy CD or a 10% discount towards the purchase of the Forensic Genealogy book. |
| Quiz #121 Results |
 |  |  |  |
| ********** |
| ********** |
| Answer to Quiz #121 - August 12, 2007 |
| 1. Where was this photo taken? 2. What religious movement was it associated with? |
| ********** |
| Answers: 1. Zion, IL 2. The Christian Catholic Apostolic Church |
Note: While you are reading the answer to the quiz, see if you can spot the joke in
the picture. In case you can't find it, it is shown at the end of the solution to the
puzzle.
the picture. In case you can't find it, it is shown at the end of the solution to the
puzzle.
| ********** |
| Quiz Tip |
A good first step in analyzing any photo is to look at all the writing in or on the picture.
In this case, there is plenty!
In this case, there is plenty!
| TOBACCO The use of tobacco in any form is a dirty, filthy, disgusting, degrading habit. No gentleman will use tobacco in this city. You have no more right to pollute with tobacco smoke, the atmosphere which clean people have to breathe, than you have to spit in the water they drink. CUT IT OUT YOU FOOL before you reap smoker's cancer paralysis, o one of the many other diseases caused by the use of the filthy, nasty, stinking stuff! Get Zion literature at the administration building 3 blocks north. W. G. Voliva |
Then surf on the most distinctive keywords, in this case,
the name at the bottom of the sign- "W. G. Voliva". This
will lead you to the story of Wilbur G. Voliva and the
Christian Catholic Apostolic Church in Zion, IL.
the name at the bottom of the sign- "W. G. Voliva". This
will lead you to the story of Wilbur G. Voliva and the
Christian Catholic Apostolic Church in Zion, IL.
| ********** |
| ********** |
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| Comments from Our Readers |
| For text of the article only, click here. |
| Zion, IL and the Christian Catholic Apostolic Church |
| John Alexander Dowie http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/flat/flateart.htm |
| You Know! That this city, is the private headquarters of the Christian Catholic Church for its Officers and Members. Those who break in here and attempt to hold meeting of any kind, especially to run a disgraceful Monkey-House, are nothing but thieves and thugs. Old Parham from Sodom made fools and Monkeys out of you. Either repent of your idiotic performances and line up for GOD and Zion or pack up your stuff and get out of here, and establish a Zoo somewhere else. W. C. Voliva |
Dr. Dowie dreamed of a Zion City where
God’s People could live a clean Christian life,
where church members would work
together for the honor and glory of God. The
top men in the church leadership-bankers,
engineers and land agents-looked at several
sites in Indiana and other places close to
Chicago to build Zion, City of God, as it was
to be called. Because of financial
consideration, they chose land midway
between Chicago and Milwaukee to
construct the town.
After publicly purchasing or taking secret
options on thousands of acres of land, the
planning of the City of Zion was
undertaken.. The layout of the city was to be
east and west and the very center was to be
the tabernacle of God. The names of the
streets were to be bible names in alphabetical
order, starting at the lake front and ending at
the western edge of Zion.
God’s People could live a clean Christian life,
where church members would work
together for the honor and glory of God. The
top men in the church leadership-bankers,
engineers and land agents-looked at several
sites in Indiana and other places close to
Chicago to build Zion, City of God, as it was
to be called. Because of financial
consideration, they chose land midway
between Chicago and Milwaukee to
construct the town.
After publicly purchasing or taking secret
options on thousands of acres of land, the
planning of the City of Zion was
undertaken.. The layout of the city was to be
east and west and the very center was to be
the tabernacle of God. The names of the
streets were to be bible names in alphabetical
order, starting at the lake front and ending at
the western edge of Zion.
The church-owned, block-long Zion City General Store was built at the corner of 27th
Street and Sheridan Road. The store included a restaurant, and clothing, grocery,
hardware, pottery, millinery, shoe, toy, plumbing, and meat sections. One block north
on the other side of Sheridan Dr., a 350-room hotel was built that was at that time
considered to be the largest wooden building of the world. A two-story limestone
administration building was built across the street. A four-story limestone building was
erected to house a parochial school for classes from kindergarten through college. It
was not until 1939 that a public high school was built.
| No gentleman-knowing that the use of tobacco has been strictly prohibited in this city from the very beginning of its existence-will use tobacco within its borders. This is the headquarters and the private home of the Christian Catholic Church of Zion. We establish it and we will fight for it, in the name of the Lord of Host’s, the GOD of the Armies of Zion. Wicked men, outsiders and buttinskys have no business, nor any rights in the city of Zion, and they will not be permitted. Notice to all visitors. Whenever and wherever you see a man using tobacco, either smoking or chewing are hereby informed that, that man is an enemy of Zion and Voliva. MARK HIM!! |
receivership. It took some years before oder could be restored. By then most of the
buildings and industries were owned by the Christian Catholic Church again, including
the local bank.
Wilbur Glen Voliva turned out to be a tyrant and dictator, running Zion as his own
personal fiefdom. He remained the head of the Zion Christian Catholic Church until his
death in 1942.
http://genemaynard2000.tripod.com/GenesStory/section1.htm
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1399.html
buildings and industries were owned by the Christian Catholic Church again, including
the local bank.
Wilbur Glen Voliva turned out to be a tyrant and dictator, running Zion as his own
personal fiefdom. He remained the head of the Zion Christian Catholic Church until his
death in 1942.
http://genemaynard2000.tripod.com/GenesStory/section1.htm
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1399.html
| Last warning!! Other than Zion families should keep away from this city. As a place of residence. The day is not far off, when you will wish you had heeded this warning. No outside institutions of any kind are needed or wanted. This city was established for Zion people and Zion people only, and the war will go on day and night, until the city is fully redeemed and the Zion flag floats over every foot of ground and over every person!! GOD the ALMIGHTLY in HIS own way and time will bring these things to pass. Eventually all who do not line up for GOD and Zion will have to go. Just as well, go now and keep out of trouble. There are thousands of cities of the world where you can go and live. Go and go quickly!! Wilbur Glenn Voliva |
Zion, IL was started on July 14, 1900, by a man named Dr. John
Alexander Dowie, a Scottish minister of the Gospel. He wanted a
city where a person would be free to warship as he (Dowie)
thought was right. In 1893 he arrived in Chicago and built a small
tabernacle outside the gates of the Colombian Exposition. He grew
in popularity and attendance at his religious services increased
until much larger quarters had to be rented. A school, a rest
home, and a bank were started in Chicago. Formal organization of
the church was completed on February 22, 1896 in Chicago.
Ministers werre ordained and chuches were started in practically
every major city and country, with missionaries going to China,
Alexander Dowie, a Scottish minister of the Gospel. He wanted a
city where a person would be free to warship as he (Dowie)
thought was right. In 1893 he arrived in Chicago and built a small
tabernacle outside the gates of the Colombian Exposition. He grew
in popularity and attendance at his religious services increased
until much larger quarters had to be rented. A school, a rest
home, and a bank were started in Chicago. Formal organization of
the church was completed on February 22, 1896 in Chicago.
Ministers werre ordained and chuches were started in practically
every major city and country, with missionaries going to China,
| Died. Wilbur Glenn Voliva, 72, shepherd of the Christian Catholic Apostolic Church in Zion, virtual dictator for some 30 years of Zion, Ill.; in Chicago. He expected to reach the age of 120 on a diet of Brazil nuts and buttermilk, recently remarked that if he died before 1990 nobody would be more surprised than himself. He was best known to the world at large for his conviction that the earth is "flat as a pancake"—a belief he still held after a round-the-world cruise. In 1910 he got control of all Zion's real estate and industries. His financial affairs got into a tangled mess in the early '30s, receivers were appointed, and he lost most of his power. http://www.time. com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,850087,00.html |
| Obit Time Magazine Monday, October 19, 1942 |
| Article from Modern Mechanics Magazine $5,000 for Proving the Earth is a Globe (Oct, 1931) http://blog.modernmechanix.com/..... |
made a tearful public confession to his followers that he had misappropriated church
funds for his personal use and committed other misdeeds. Shortly thereafter on
October 11, 1942 he died (he had previously stated that he would live to 120 due to his
diet of Brazil nuts and buttermilk), and the church all but dissolved. A small remnant
was reorganized under the leadership of Michael Mintern. It was later renamed to
"Christ Community Church".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilbur_Glenn_Voliva
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,737880,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,771719,00.html?promoid=googlep
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,930491,00.html?promoid=googlep
funds for his personal use and committed other misdeeds. Shortly thereafter on
October 11, 1942 he died (he had previously stated that he would live to 120 due to his
diet of Brazil nuts and buttermilk), and the church all but dissolved. A small remnant
was reorganized under the leadership of Michael Mintern. It was later renamed to
"Christ Community Church".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilbur_Glenn_Voliva
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,737880,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,771719,00.html?promoid=googlep
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,930491,00.html?promoid=googlep
Dowie instituted the “Zion City Lease,”
which forbade gambling, theaters, and
circuses, as well as the manufacture and
sale of alcohol and tobacco. In addition,
the lease banned pork, dancing, swearing,
spitting, politicians, doctors, oysters, and
tan-colored shoes. Whistling on Sunday
was punishable by jail time. Dowie
especially opposed alcohol, having signed
the temperance pledge at age six, and into
the late twentieth century, Zion City
remained “dry.” The ban against medical
doctors reflected Dowie's belief in “divine
healing.”
Early plans called for a tabernacle in the
center of town that would seat 16,000
people, but the final structure held only
8,000. Dowie started a saw mill, a cookie
factory, a candy factory, a printing
industry, a lace mill that was one city
block long, a coal station and many, many
other industries. It was planed that
which forbade gambling, theaters, and
circuses, as well as the manufacture and
sale of alcohol and tobacco. In addition,
the lease banned pork, dancing, swearing,
spitting, politicians, doctors, oysters, and
tan-colored shoes. Whistling on Sunday
was punishable by jail time. Dowie
especially opposed alcohol, having signed
the temperance pledge at age six, and into
the late twentieth century, Zion City
remained “dry.” The ban against medical
doctors reflected Dowie's belief in “divine
healing.”
Early plans called for a tabernacle in the
center of town that would seat 16,000
people, but the final structure held only
8,000. Dowie started a saw mill, a cookie
factory, a candy factory, a printing
industry, a lace mill that was one city
block long, a coal station and many, many
other industries. It was planed that
Zion would reach about 200,000 in population after some years, but this never
happened.
As with any group of men, problems arose among the Zion City leadership. On one
occasion Dowie took 3000 Zion people to a revival in New York city for two weeks at
considerable cost. He also traveled to Mexico and Jamaica, where huge outlays of
money were used in planning the pie-in-the-sky Paradise Plantations, from which many
different raw materials would be shipped by boat to Zion for use in local industries. The
great outlay of money required by these activities brought much fighting between
different factions within the leadership of the Zion church.
happened.
As with any group of men, problems arose among the Zion City leadership. On one
occasion Dowie took 3000 Zion people to a revival in New York city for two weeks at
considerable cost. He also traveled to Mexico and Jamaica, where huge outlays of
money were used in planning the pie-in-the-sky Paradise Plantations, from which many
different raw materials would be shipped by boat to Zion for use in local industries. The
great outlay of money required by these activities brought much fighting between
different factions within the leadership of the Zion church.
Wilbur Glen Voliva came into the ministry and
was much in favor with Dowie. In 1906 Dowie
had a severe stroke. His health began to
deteriorate. After he died on March 9, 1907,
members fought over the spoils of the church.
Dowie had promised various individuals the
leadership of the church, but Voliva took over
in spite of much infighting.
Voliva tried to bring order to the church and to
the city of Zion. At that time, because of poor
management, Zion City, the church, and all of
the more than 27 industries in town were in
was much in favor with Dowie. In 1906 Dowie
had a severe stroke. His health began to
deteriorate. After he died on March 9, 1907,
members fought over the spoils of the church.
Dowie had promised various individuals the
leadership of the church, but Voliva took over
in spite of much infighting.
Voliva tried to bring order to the church and to
the city of Zion. At that time, because of poor
management, Zion City, the church, and all of
the more than 27 industries in town were in
| Wilbur Glenn Voliva March 10, 1870 – October 11, 1942 |
Wilbur Glenn Voliva was
an evangelist and a
prominent proponent of
Flat Earth theories.
Voliva was born on a
farm in Indiana on Mar.
10, 1870. In 1889, he
entered Union Christian
College in Merom,
Indiana; he graduated
five years later and
became a minister. In
1898 he was drawn to
the teachings of John
Alexander Dowie (who
stoutly insisted that the
an evangelist and a
prominent proponent of
Flat Earth theories.
Voliva was born on a
farm in Indiana on Mar.
10, 1870. In 1889, he
entered Union Christian
College in Merom,
Indiana; he graduated
five years later and
became a minister. In
1898 he was drawn to
the teachings of John
Alexander Dowie (who
stoutly insisted that the
| Wilbur Glenn Voliva Used by permission of Kenton Bennett Rev. Voliva's grandson |
devil was a Methodist) and eventually joined his
congregation, the Christian Catholic Church of Zion,
Illinois.
In 1906, the congregation revolted against Dowie's
leadership and elected Voliva head of the church, which
Voliva then renamed to the "Christian Catholic Apostolic
Church". He kept tight control on his some 6000
followers, which made up the community, even up to the
point of dictating their choice of marriage partners. The
city of Zion was effectively controlled by the church; all
of its real estate, while sold at market rates, was
conveyed under an 1100 year lease, subject to many
restrictions and subject to termination at the whim of the
General Overseer. Religions other than the Christian
Catholic Apostolic Church were effectively
banned-visiting preachers from rival sects were harassed
and hounded out of town by the city police force.
congregation, the Christian Catholic Church of Zion,
Illinois.
In 1906, the congregation revolted against Dowie's
leadership and elected Voliva head of the church, which
Voliva then renamed to the "Christian Catholic Apostolic
Church". He kept tight control on his some 6000
followers, which made up the community, even up to the
point of dictating their choice of marriage partners. The
city of Zion was effectively controlled by the church; all
of its real estate, while sold at market rates, was
conveyed under an 1100 year lease, subject to many
restrictions and subject to termination at the whim of the
General Overseer. Religions other than the Christian
Catholic Apostolic Church were effectively
banned-visiting preachers from rival sects were harassed
and hounded out of town by the city police force.
| Many thanks to Kenton Bennett, Rev. Voliva's grandson for allowing us to use his family photographs in the solution to this week's quiz. Kenton has posted a family tree which includes more family pictures on Ancestry.com at http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/person.aspx?pid=-20 21660417&tid=979241 |
| Listen to original recordings of sermons by John Alexander Dowie, taken from 5" brown wax cylinders Click here. |
| Rev Voliva and his daughter Ruth 1915 |
A feature of [Voliva's] realm was his museum of
the pomps and vanities, from wasp-waist
corsets to collapsible lipsticks, which he had
made his disciples discard. Theatre and cinema
houses were banned in Zion. So was tobacco in
all its forms. Opposed to all scientific attainment,
Overseer Voliva nonetheless operated one of the
most powerful broadcasting stations in the U. S.
He explained: ''Our radio station is a matter
between God and the Christian Catholic
Apostolic Church. It was conceived and born in
prayer." Despite its solvency, Zion City remained
unattractive. The houses, except for Overseer
Voliva's rococo mansion, were low and cheap.
The streets were dusty, with incredibly deep
thank-you-ma'ams. A monster billboard warned
transients to obey the laws of Zion or begone.
Voliva gained nationwide notoriety by his
vigorous advocacy of the flat earth doctrime.
the pomps and vanities, from wasp-waist
corsets to collapsible lipsticks, which he had
made his disciples discard. Theatre and cinema
houses were banned in Zion. So was tobacco in
all its forms. Opposed to all scientific attainment,
Overseer Voliva nonetheless operated one of the
most powerful broadcasting stations in the U. S.
He explained: ''Our radio station is a matter
between God and the Christian Catholic
Apostolic Church. It was conceived and born in
prayer." Despite its solvency, Zion City remained
unattractive. The houses, except for Overseer
Voliva's rococo mansion, were low and cheap.
The streets were dusty, with incredibly deep
thank-you-ma'ams. A monster billboard warned
transients to obey the laws of Zion or begone.
Voliva gained nationwide notoriety by his
vigorous advocacy of the flat earth doctrime.
He offered a widely publicized $5000 challenge for anyone to disprove flat earth theory.
The church schools in Zion taught the flat earth doctrine. His 100,000 watt radio station
broadcast his diatribes against round earth astronomy, and the evils of evolution. He
was quoted about the sun as follows:
The idea of a sun millions of miles in diameter and 91,000,000 miles away is silly. The
sun is only 32 miles across and not more than 3,000 miles from the earth. It stands to
reason it must be so. God made the sun to light the earth, and therefore must have
placed it close to the task it was designed to do. What would you think of a man who
built a house in Zion and put the lamp to light it in Kenosha?
Voliva also frequently predicted the end of the world: his predictions that the end would
come in 1923, 1927, 1930, and 1935 were incorrect.
Like his predecessor, Voliva increasingly developed an overtly lavish lifestyle, which
began to alienate his followers, especially after the hardships brought on by the Great
Depression, which forced Zion Industries into bankruptcy. So long as the world bought
Zion candy bars, Zion cookies. Zion lace, Zion books and Zion cement it could smile as
it would at Wilbur Glenn Voliva's dire prophecies and belief that the earth is soup-plate
shaped. But the Depression came and the outside world stopped buying so many candy
bars and cookies. Zionites grew restive, grumblingly drifted off into new sects. [In
1933] Prophet Voliva's world cracked under him when Zion's industries, once worth
$10,000,000, went into receivership.
For a quarter-century Zion's town officials were Voliva puppets. But in April 1934
voters went to the polls and [elected] three independents into the school board.
Wrathfully Overseer Voliva tossed back a vengeful thunderbolt. Closing his parochial
school (enrollment : 950), he declared that the town's two public schools (enrollment:
500) could take care of his ousted pupils or shut down too.
The church schools in Zion taught the flat earth doctrine. His 100,000 watt radio station
broadcast his diatribes against round earth astronomy, and the evils of evolution. He
was quoted about the sun as follows:
The idea of a sun millions of miles in diameter and 91,000,000 miles away is silly. The
sun is only 32 miles across and not more than 3,000 miles from the earth. It stands to
reason it must be so. God made the sun to light the earth, and therefore must have
placed it close to the task it was designed to do. What would you think of a man who
built a house in Zion and put the lamp to light it in Kenosha?
Voliva also frequently predicted the end of the world: his predictions that the end would
come in 1923, 1927, 1930, and 1935 were incorrect.
Like his predecessor, Voliva increasingly developed an overtly lavish lifestyle, which
began to alienate his followers, especially after the hardships brought on by the Great
Depression, which forced Zion Industries into bankruptcy. So long as the world bought
Zion candy bars, Zion cookies. Zion lace, Zion books and Zion cement it could smile as
it would at Wilbur Glenn Voliva's dire prophecies and belief that the earth is soup-plate
shaped. But the Depression came and the outside world stopped buying so many candy
bars and cookies. Zionites grew restive, grumblingly drifted off into new sects. [In
1933] Prophet Voliva's world cracked under him when Zion's industries, once worth
$10,000,000, went into receivership.
For a quarter-century Zion's town officials were Voliva puppets. But in April 1934
voters went to the polls and [elected] three independents into the school board.
Wrathfully Overseer Voliva tossed back a vengeful thunderbolt. Closing his parochial
school (enrollment : 950), he declared that the town's two public schools (enrollment:
500) could take care of his ousted pupils or shut down too.
| W. G. Voliva in his teens |
| The Stars and Stripes 29 Oct 1948 |
| Mrs. W. G. Voliva Mary Mollie Steele 1870-1915 |
| Paul Steele Voliva 11 Dec 1896- 5 Sep 1900 Died of meningitis |
| Ruth Steele Voliva 28 Feb 1900- 28 Dec 1992 |
| Rev. Voliva and grandchilden 1932 |
| Rev. Voliva with his granddaughter Eloise 1923 |
Next day the public schools opened
as usual, with plans to run extra
shifts for the parochial pupils.
Threatened with tar & feathers,
Prophet Voliva declared himself a
two-gun man ready to kill at the drop
of a hat. Then he announced that he
would reopen all but the lower grades
of his parochial school, require every
pupil to take an oath of allegiance to
him. Satan and his imps would try to
destroy the world sometime in
September, he said, and he needed an
as usual, with plans to run extra
shifts for the parochial pupils.
Threatened with tar & feathers,
Prophet Voliva declared himself a
two-gun man ready to kill at the drop
of a hat. Then he announced that he
would reopen all but the lower grades
of his parochial school, require every
pupil to take an oath of allegiance to
him. Satan and his imps would try to
destroy the world sometime in
September, he said, and he needed an
| Do's and Don'ts in Zion |
Zion's new Mayor, a 47-year-old
grandfather named William M. Edwards
who once replastered the White House
while President Coolidge was vacationing
in the Black Hills, hated Wilbur Glenn
Voliva both for his tyranny and for his
laxity. Mayor Edwards promised to
enforce each & every one of Zion's laws
against short skirts, low necks, bare
arms, dancing, cinemas, pool, cards,
tobacco, profanity, chewing gum, pork
and oysters.
In 1935 Voliva tried to revive the flagging
fortunes of the church by instituting the
annual Zion Passion Play, along the lines
of the famous one in Oberammergau.
However in 1937 a disgruntled employee
set the church's huge Shiloh Tabernacle,
where the play took place, ablaze. Shortly
thereafter, Voliva was forced into
personal bankruptcy. In 1942 after being
diagnosed with terminal cancer, Voliva
grandfather named William M. Edwards
who once replastered the White House
while President Coolidge was vacationing
in the Black Hills, hated Wilbur Glenn
Voliva both for his tyranny and for his
laxity. Mayor Edwards promised to
enforce each & every one of Zion's laws
against short skirts, low necks, bare
arms, dancing, cinemas, pool, cards,
tobacco, profanity, chewing gum, pork
and oysters.
In 1935 Voliva tried to revive the flagging
fortunes of the church by instituting the
annual Zion Passion Play, along the lines
of the famous one in Oberammergau.
However in 1937 a disgruntled employee
set the church's huge Shiloh Tabernacle,
where the play took place, ablaze. Shortly
thereafter, Voliva was forced into
personal bankruptcy. In 1942 after being
diagnosed with terminal cancer, Voliva
| ********** |
| 1930 |
| 1920 |
| 1910 |
| 1900 Census |
| The Voliva Family in the U.S. Census |
| ********** |
| ********** |
| Joke Hidden in Photo |
| The young woman standing in front of the anti-smoking sign is holding cigarettes in both of her hands. |
| ********** |
| ********** |
| For Further Reading |
| The Flat Earth http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/flat/flateart.htm The Voliva Family Tree on Ancestry.com http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/person.aspx?pid=-2021660417&tid=979241 Memoires of Eugene Earl Maynard who grew up in the Zion cult http://genemaynard2000.tripod.com/GenesStory/section43a.htm |
| Comment from Kenton Bennett, Grandson of W. G. Voliva |
interpretations of the Bible. [See photo of sign above.] The
second picture is one taken using humans for the
statue.next is Eloise and Wilbur and the last one is the sign
You can use any of these
Thanks again and hope to hear from you
Kenton Bennett
second picture is one taken using humans for the
statue.next is Eloise and Wilbur and the last one is the sign
You can use any of these
Thanks again and hope to hear from you
Kenton Bennett
| Eloise (right). Ruth Voliva (second fr left) |
| A Statue Made of People See Below for Explanation |
| Zion Apron and Kerchief Factory |
| Zion Educational Building |
| Zion Lace Factory |
| Zion Tabernacle |
| Zion Radio Station |
| For more vintage postcards of Zion, click here |
| Shiloh House Home of John Dowie |
back as 1923 - a very useful resource that I'm sure will come in handy again.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to tie down a precise date for the photograph. I
believe, from the woman's clothing, that it was probably taken in the late 1920s or
1930s. Brett Payne
*****
No! I couldn't see what she was holding. Growing up with my grandmother having
many of the same sympathies makes me a bit more understanding of both views.
Grandma didn't even allow me to play solitaire as it was a card game and a tool of the
devil. Luckily my parents were more generous! Kitty Huddleston
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to tie down a precise date for the photograph. I
believe, from the woman's clothing, that it was probably taken in the late 1920s or
1930s. Brett Payne
*****
No! I couldn't see what she was holding. Growing up with my grandmother having
many of the same sympathies makes me a bit more understanding of both views.
Grandma didn't even allow me to play solitaire as it was a card game and a tool of the
devil. Luckily my parents were more generous! Kitty Huddleston
