The Founding - 1843The idea of founding a new congregation was brought before members of the Mt. Moriah Church just to the Southwest of the present day Mt. Zion Church. Thomas Flynt, Wilson Grady, Joseph Points, John Reed Sr., Edith Younger, Robert J Younger, and A. J. Younger were all prominent charter members of this mission. These men and women, farmers and pioneers of the Rocky Fork area met in homes and arbors for the next 5 years holding to their faith.
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Building a Sanctuary - 1848In 1848, Thomas Flynt, just living to the North of the intersection of 2 trails chose to donate a 1 acre portion of his farm to the congregation. This plot of land consisting of a high point in the county, would become the site of a log church constructed from logs, and cut from one of the first mills in the county just down the trail. The carpenter, Wilson Grady, started construction after the deed was made, in May or June of that year.
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Mt. Zion Sons of TemperanceDivision #243During the early 1850's a nationwide movement had swept the nation, and Temperance was the calling for which the masses gathered. Many meetings of the local Temperance Union were held in the church and grounds. Many local men were the leaders and officers. The first meeting was held March 4th, 1854 at the church building.
Officers: B. Grady, Charles Grady, Mr. Mourning, Bro. A. J. Points, J. Points, H. Radford, Bro. H. F. Radford, E. Saunders, J. Sneed, H. Sneed, G. G. Schoolfield.
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The Gold RushStories of Gold had hit the ears of pioneers of Rocky Fork, as well as the majority of the Westward travelers from 1849 into the early 1860's. A large majority of the Men had left for the Gold fields of California and Colorado. This would leave the women of the congregation to tend to the flock, and farms all over the area. Many would not make it home, but those who did were a sight to see return.
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A War Between NeighborsWar was brewing in the Nation, and trickling down into local communities all over Missouri. In the neighborhood of Mt. Zion the majority of families held Slaves. This region being mainly agricultural, it was an evil necessity. Many members of the church had sympathy for the cause in which was chosen for the people of the state at Camp Jackson. Many people thought the War would end rather quickly, while others feared it would be a door to door fight, the latter being the result. During the early months of 1861, recruiting efforts for the Missouri State Guard had been in full effect in the area. Many used Grandview and Mt. Zion as meeting locations to fill the ranks and find food and a good camping ground. The Christian flock would attend to the local boys as they came and went. Frequent Union cavalry patrols of the area were very common, and turmoil would soon follow.
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"A Bushwhackers Nest"Following the Battles of Hallsville & Mt. Zion, the congregation weathered through many more years of Union patrols to help, "Weed Out" those who tried to gather to head South to join Gen. Price and the now Confederate army across the river. Many instances of troops from both sides stopping in to the church and neighborhood to rest and gather provisions on the road to other locations had become a noticed trend with some troops, and in September of 1862 a company from Mexico under Capt. Hartman of the 3rd Iowa Cavalry rode into the neighborhood to the Northeast of the Church. There they claimed to have seen a man running from the back of the residence of Rev. Elijah Chrisman, who lived just South of the current intersection of (HWY OO & MO RT Z). They made their way to the home and inquired of the man and whom lived there. They arrested Rev. Chrisman and set his home and barn ablaze. Allowing his family time to gather items from the home. This also took place to the East on a farm owned by a John Gay. The troops made their way to the Church, where they removed the Bible from the alter and set fire to the building along with a mill down the lane.
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Rise from the AshesThroughout the rest of the war and for 2 years following, the congregation met in various places. One of these was a brush arbor with log seats. In 1867, the members raised $2,000 for the construction of a new building. This was likely a simple gabled roof church with two doors for Men and Women. During the time, they were seated separately in the church. Mt. Zion housed 2 separate denominations, Baptists who would meet at the building when the Methodists would be finished. This ended when Grandview Church was built after 1869 just to the Southeast near Murry.
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Photo Credit: Fearless Heart Photography