History Continued to Present Times

Structure completed in 1978

Article on Mortgage Burning, 1988

Fellowship Hall 2004

   
Remodeling sanctuary
 
Moving pews



Currituck Charge Parsonage 2006 Dedication

Rev. Matthew Nelson &
 Pastor David Blackman

An Annual Ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service is held at Waterview Shores Park North on the Currituck Sound.

2008 Homecoming    
Pastor Glenn McCranie
in authentic costume.

Mt. Zion's 237th Homecoming

 2009 basketball courts and new playground

Circuit Rider

Do all the good 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.
~ John Wesley
 

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 present day structure which opened her doors in 1978.  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.

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.  Part of the original kitchen is now the copier room and Sunday School rooms behind the sanctuary, originally partitioned by folding accordion cloth walls, now contain pews and a sound booth.

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.

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 , construction on a new parsonage began in Soundside Estates in Grandy.  The parsonage was dedicated 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 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 led a prayer and vision for 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.

Advent ~ adorned to celebrate the birth of our Lord.  

          

   Visitors are warmly welcomed!  Make plans to visit soon.

October 21, 2007 marked Mt. Zion's 235th Homecoming Celebration.  District superintendent, the Rev. Dr. Won Namkoong led the service and shared a message of being 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. 

Mt. Zion's 236th Homecoming arrived on a beautiful Sunday, October 26, 2008.  Lay speaker Mr. Paul O'Briant whose father, Rev. Clarence O'Briant, served as a minister to the Currituck Charge in the late 70s, delivered the message.  Mr. O'Briant referenced song lyrics and experiences to be more like Jesus.  Pastor Glenn McCranie presented an historical portrayal in costume as Thomas Jarvis, who later became governor of North Carolina.  Sheila Grandy presented an historical slide show and the Mt. Zion Choir shared a special collection of the songs of Charles Wesley narrated by Pastor David Blackman.  Everyone enjoyed the potluck meal in fellowship following the service.                                                       

On January 4, 2009, the Rev. Glenn H. McCranie was recognized and honored as Pastor Emeritus at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.   For "God is good, all the time.  All the time, God is good."

October 16, 2009 Mt. Zion celebrated her 237th Homecoming with guest speaker, the Rev. Dr. Carl F. Frazier sharing the powerful message "Give Me Your Hand."  Tommy Grandy introduced an historical slide show and the choir shared "Doxology of Praise" and "The Blood of Jesus" for special music.  Everyone enjoyed a potluck fellowship meal following the service and a special basket presentation that included a Currituck Canadian goose was presented with appreciation to our District Superintendent guest speaker.

If you are interested in learning more of Mt. Zion's history contact Rev. David Blackman.  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: History of the United Methodist Church 

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

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