Mount Zion M.E. Church

Riley Township

Mt. Zion church and it's congregation; year unknown. Photo courtesy of Bob Bixby.

The Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church was located in Riley Township, SE corner of section 16.

Before the church was built, there existed Riley No. 5 "Modoc" school 1/4 mile to the south.
A cemetery was established in 1885 and the church was built near the burial grounds.
Today the church building is gone. All that remains is the Mt. Zion Cemetery

Construction began in 1886; the church was dedicated in February 13, 1887:

At the dedication of the Mt. Zion church in Riley township, on the 13th, there was a crowded house, and the money to pay the indebtedness of the church was raised in a few minutes. The church has bright prospects before her. Rev. P.J. VOLLMAR conducted the service and made things interesting.
-Ringgold County Republican, February 24, 1887

Finally services were held in June 1959:

Mt. Zion Methodist Church
John Lippincott, Pastor
The church held its quarterly conference June 5 under the leadership of the district superintendent, Dr. Claude COOPER. It was officially voted to close the church and make the Methodist pastor at Kellerton responsible for the pastoral oversight of the congregation. Trustees for the building were named as follows: Darrel WILCOXSON, Ben BARNES, Richard BARNES and Frank GILLILAND. Other business included a report from the pastor, the Rev. John A. LIPPINCOTT.
-Mount Ayr Record News, June 11, 1959

 

Thank You for stopping by!