Mt. Zion United Methodist Church History
The Cradle of Methodism in North Carolina

In 1976, former minister the Rev. Denny Wise with his wife, Judy, researched, wrote and published Mt. Zion United Methodist Church: 1772-1976 A History.  In this booklet, still available today at Mt. Zion UMC, Rev. Wise provides compelling evidence that in 1772, Rev. Joseph Pilmoor*,  Methodist missionary from England, preached at the then called Mt. Zion Methodist Meeting House. 

Rev. Wise's booklet provides a fascinating look back at the traveling conditions (usually by boat or through the swamps by horseback); the building specifications (hand-hewn heart of pine beams put together with wooden pegs and hand-forged nails); and the membership spanning many generations.  

There are members of some historical significance.  Nathan Poyner had a distinguished career as Justice of the Peace, member of the House of Commons, a delegate to the first and second Provincial Congress at Newbern, and in 1775, Captain of the Revolutionary Militia of Currituck County.  Captain Poyner was married to Ann Sanderson, whose father, Thomas Sanderson, Sr., probably owned the land where the original church stood.  Later, Mrs. Thomas (Mary) Poyner, would give the church its first clear title.  

On the easterly side of Mt. Zion was a port for sailing ships which sometimes brought visiting preachers.  However, with the outbreak of the war, Francis Asbury, considered a Tory in 1775, never made a scheduled trip.  He did complete the trip in 1784.  

In 1795, the Reverend Edward Hardy of the Camden Circuit  would court Colonel Thomas Jarvis' daughter, Lydia.  After their wedding she bore him seven sons.  The minister and his wife would become the great grandparents of the famed General Douglas MacArthur.  Incidentally, after Lydia died, Reverend Hardy would eventually marry three other ladies of Mt. Zion Church.  

In 1889, one of Colonel Jarvis' grandsons,  Thomas J. Jarvis, who described the church as "very dear", became governor of the state of North Carolina.    

To read the list of Ministers since the late 1700s and summer interns since 1998, please click the following:

Ministers Serving Mt. Zion UMC

Summer Intern List 1998 - 2007

Oldest church photo, 1908

According to Mr. Hill Mercer, whose father served as church sexton in the original building, there was once a circular stone pulpit that wrapped around the minister up to his neck.  Folklore claimed it protected the preacher from any objects thrown by angry dissenters, but it was actually an Anglican custom of the time.  The original building also had sliding wooden windows to open up for air, and close presumably in case of Indian attacks!  There was a balcony for slaves and a large number attended church there in 1829.  When the building was enlarged in 1880, the pulpit and balcony were dismantled plus the wooden windows were replaced with glass.  The oldest photo above was taken in 1908.

Some other names for the church included the Poplar Branch Methodist Church (due to it's location) and the Methodist Episcopal Church in Society at Mt. Zion Meeting House.   Today, Mt. Zion UMC remains part of the Currituck United Methodist Charge with her sister church, Hebron United Methodist Church.

In The Church Book of Mt. Zion Meeting House, minister records indicate church members (sometime wealthy, prominent citizens) being expelled for misconduct such as "dancing, drinking, gambling, cursing, brawling, and other 'sins'."  For this reason, those who wanted to join the church had to go through a six month probation period before being added to the church rolls.  In 1842, the "Zion Tetotal Abstanance Society" joined the "Currituck County Tetotal Abstanance Society"  with many citizens pledging not to drink or traffic in liquors.  However, they were acceptable for medicinal or sacramental purposes.

In the 1800s, an old style pump organ provided music in the church.  Since the organist, Florence Jarvis, was quite short, a hired man had to come to church to pump the pedals while she played.   In 1908, a contractor was hired to build the pulpit and altar railing.  Unfortunately he used a local man, seven feet tall, for measurements on the altar rail.  It later had to be torn down and rebuilt.  In 1920, the Ladies Aid Society purchased a piano for Mt. Zion.  There were mixed emotions about this "new fangled instrument" since some members believed it was not appropriate for a church.

In 1937 electricity arrived to replace kerosene lanterns.  In 1945, white shingles and a steeple were added plus a vestibule and brick steps.  The steeple housed a large bell originally from the old Mager Woodhouse plantation.  The inside of the building was changed from two aisles to a center aisle arrangement.  In 1963, classrooms were added for the amount of $5,000.  The structures pictured below show the Sunday School rooms in the wings.  Later an addition was built on the west side of the church which included kitchen and restroom facilities.  In 1968, red carpeting was installed with red velvet kneeling pads.  In addition, a Wurlitzer organ was purchased.  In the fall of 1975, Mt. Zion UMC deemed a lot to the Currituck Charge for a parsonage, erecting a dwelling by the end of the year.  

Last photos before fire, 1976

Tragically, on Ash Wednesday, March 3, 1976, the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church structure burned to the ground.  The cause of the fire remains unknown.  The only items salvageable were hand forged nails, some red bricks, and the old church bell.  

Thankfully,  Miss Margaret Dowdy, church historian, had in her home a treasured communion set and the original church record book from 1829.  The book and other memorabilia are now archived at Duke University.  You can view pages of the state's oldest church record book by clicking on: Mt. Zion Methodist - Episcopal Church record book link to a Currituck County history site.  

Click here for more stories: Personal Recollections of Mt. Zion UMC

Following the fire, church members met for services in the old Grandy fire station.  Later, by God's grace and with the help of Duke Endowment , the Ten Dollar Club, community support and fund raisers, members rebuilt Mt. Zion into the beautiful structure pictured below.  A wooden cross made from burnt wood of the original church graces the present day narthex table.  The IHS inscription is made from salvaged hand-forged nails.  Other original nails were made into small remembrance crosses and the old church bell was restored and placed in the open tower. 

One important lesson learned from the fire is that a church is not just a building, but a group of people who meet to honor and worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Mt. Zion UMC is a place where the Bible is preached and believed.  A place where the power of prayer is experienced and the love of God is shared with all.

Structure built following the fire, 1978

In the spring of 2004 our church completed an extensive addition of Sunday School rooms, kitchen, and a fellowship hall.  Worship services were held in the fellowship hall while the sanctuary was enlarged and other rooms in front were remodeled.  Soon our Kingdom Kids Learning Center preschool began sharing space in the new addition building areas.  Outdoors, a daycare playground, a community Prayer Garden, and a parking lot were added with access to a roadway west of the church.  We entered the age of technology with on site computers, e-mail prayer chains, and a website.

         Building Additions, 2004

In the fall of 2004, once again we could worship in our sanctuary, newly remodeled.  In October Mt. Zion held its 232nd Homecoming Celebration followed soon after by Dedication Services for our building projects.  At that time our fellowship hall was dedicated as The Rev. Glenn H. McCranie Fellowship Hall in honor of our minister.  On June 11, 2006, Pastor Glenn and Vi McCranie were honored with a Retirement Celebration after nine years of dedicated service in the Currituck Charge.

In the winter of 2005 , a new parsonage was begun in Soundside Estates in Grandy.  The parsonage was dedicated on June 18, 2006, in time to provide a home for our minister, the Rev. David Blackman and his family officially beginning their ministry on July 2, 2006.  We invite you to come to be loved by Christ and to learn more of the the Word through the messages and witness of our minister. 

On Sunday, October 15, 2006, Mt. Zion UMC celebrated its 234th Homecoming.  Guest speakers were the Rev. Matthew Nelson, former summer intern, sharing "A Masterpiece" and the Rev. Glenn McCranie sharing a history of the church.  Pastor David Blackman also led a beautiful prayer and a vision for the future of the church. 

Original Holy Communion and Holy Baptism sets from the old church - thankfully in Miss Margaret Dowdy's home during the fire of 1976.

October 21, 2007 marked Mt. Zion's 235th Homecoming Celebration!  Our district superintendent, the Rev. Dr. Won Seok Namkoong (or "Preacher Won") led the service and shared a message about not putting God or anyone inside of a box.  We should strive to be open to the Holy Spirit and the unlimited power of God in our lives.  Mr. Bernard Evans, Jr. shared a remembered history of Mt. Zion with many interesting details of members from years past.  The choir and congregation sang, everyone enjoyed a potluck dinner, and Pastor David later shared his Pastor's Message during charge conference. 

We praise God for the blessings of these special events and those to come!

Below are pictures of the sanctuary & other areas adorned to celebrate the birth of our Lord.

Visitors are warmly welcomed!  Make plans to visit soon.

If you are interested in learning more of Mt. Zion's history contact Rev. Blackman at 252/453-3559.  We welcome comments and additions to the history page and are seeking more information and pictures of former ministers.  We invite you to contact us!

Mt. Zion History Contact

*In addition, if you would like to learn more about the History of the United Methodist Church movement, including circuit rider Joseph Pilmoor, be sure to visit the following links:

History of the United Methodist Church 

"Do all the good you can,
        by all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
        in all the places you can,
At all the time you can,
        to all the people you can,
As long as you ever can."

Quote by John Wesley

Circuit Rider
 

The General Commission on Archives and History for The United Methodist Church