This old “Church in the Wildwood” was once the center of a thriving community that lived here called the “23rd Voting District”. The Mount Zion Church was first established in 1852 as a log structure. The Western District Baptist Association minutes record that two members were sent to the 1853 associational meeting. These same minutes record that the church had 24 members at that time. The Mount Zion Church has only known two structures in its history, the original log church built in the 1850s and the present building constructed in 1893.
Mount Zion Church served rural agrarian pioneers who had settled in the wildlife rich land between the Tennessee and Big Sandy Rivers. The church remained active throughout the Civil War. However, no troops (Federal or Confederate) were believed to have used the log structure during the war. Early preachers to the Mount Zion Church were “circuit riders” who visited and preached to the congregations once per month.
During the creation of Kentucky Lake, the 2.7 acres of church property was purchased by the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1943 for $1,006. TVA agreed to let the present building stand so that an annual homecoming could be enjoyed. The community spirit has remained strong with the church, and former residents of the area have met for an annual reunion on the first Sunday of each July. The property is currently managed as part of the Tennessee Wildlife Refuge. The Mount Zion Church and Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 4th, 1975.
Memorial plaque donated in loving memory of W.C. and Steve McDaniel.
