Esther's Well Restoration

Help Restore a Zion Landmark

Esther’s Well was dedicated on July 12, 1902. The original name of the well was Shiloh Spring but plans changed when Zion’s founder lost his only daughter Esther to a tragic accident in May of 1902. At the dedication ceremony of the well, Dr. Dowie expressed some deep emotions at the loss of his daughter and renamed it Esther’s Well.

Over the years, Esther’s Well has been a place for many seeking answers to some of life's most difficult questions. It is a special place where people have wrestled with God in prayer, reflection, and meditation. This is true for not only members of our community who know about the place but each year visitors from around the country and around the world search out the location of Esther’s well to pray.

Ironically it was another tragedy that sparked the desire of some members of our community to restore this well. The Highland Park shooting that impacted many, including the family of Dr. Keely Roberts, Zion’s District 6 Superintendent, led community members to gather at this well again on July 12, 2022 and commit to pray for the Roberts family and our city. There, a decision was made to restore the well and make it a place of prayer and meditation.

With the support of the Zion Historical Society and the approval of the Zion Park District, plans are underway to restore this well in the Spring of 2023.

Would you consider being a part of this historic restoration? The project will be privately funded, and donations will be managed by the Zion Historical Society. The budget for the restoration is $50,000.00. Donations are tax deductible.