Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church's origins go back to circa 1869, where an "old school house located on the Martin Farm in Cedar Grove was used as its meeting place. Between 1870 - 1882, services were held on the John Hawkins, Dave Wright and Sam Dark farms. Reverend Wilson served as pastor in 1878. At this time the congregation was not under the AM.E. Church and was called Poplar Springs. The name Poplar Springs was used until 1880..."
The first church structure was a small, wooden frame building with two rows of benches "that were made by members of the congregation. The front of the church faced east on an old wagon trail road ... [later] called
Highway 14, presently called Highway 86. When a new church was constructed facing the west, the older church was used as a parsonage until around 1928 when one was purchased in the town of Hillsborough." (Note: This "new church" is the church in the photographs; it was built in 1928 by Zack Christifor.)
"In the early 1900's, Mt. Zion was part of the Hillsborough Circuit, along with Dickerson Chapel AM.E. Church in Hillsborough. Services were held on each first and third Sunday."
The church's front originally faced to the east, to the public road last known as NC HWY 14.
The church was renovated in 1947 with the addition of a brick veneer and other miscellaneous changes, by A. E. Torian & Bros. Stained-glass windows were added in the 1950 or 1960s. The structure was again renovated in the (circa) 1970s.
The Mt. Zion AME congregation moved to its present location at 4515 HWY 86 North in 1988 (?). The original structure is currently utilized by Temple of Light Church.
Circa 1930, view east (photo via freespiritfreedom.org/mt-zion-ame)
Circa 1950, view east (photo via mtzionamehillsborough.org)
Rev. A. J. Holman with Mt. Zion Church Choir, circa 1960, view east (photo via freespiritfreedom.org/mt-zion-ame)
Circa 1970s, view east (photo via freespiritfreedom.org/mt-zion-ame)
View east (photo by S. Rankin, 09 October 2020)
View north east (photo by S. Rankin, 09 October 2020)
View south east (photo by S. Rankin, 09 October 2020)
View north (photo by S. Rankin, 09 October 2020)
View west (photo by S. Rankin, 09 October 2020)
View south west (photo by S. Rankin, 09 October 2020)
View north west (photo by S. Rankin, 09 October 2020)
The original cornerstone, front view (as moved to the facade of the current Mt. Zion) (photo by S. Rankin, 2017)
The original cornerstone, side view (as moved to the facade of the current Mt. Zion) (photo by S. Rankin, 2017)
The 1947 renovation marker, front view (as moved to the facade of the current Mt. Zion) (photo by S. Rankin, 2017)
The original location of the 1947 renovation marker (photo by S. Rankin, 09 October 2020)
The church's location does appear on the 1891 Tate map of Orange County:
And the 1918 soil map of Orange County:
Information about the original cemetery (still maintained by the congregation of the Mt. Zion AME church) can be found here: cemeterycensus.com/nc/orng/cem048.htm
References:
www.mtzionamehillsborough.org
History of the Churches of Hillsborough, N.C.: Ca. 1766-1962, by Pauline O. and Allen A. Lloyd
Orange County Register of Deeds Office.
Deed Book 51, Page 244
Deed Book 160, Page 668
Deed Book 278, Page 1754
Deed Book 748, Page 392
Deed Book 1567, Page 401
Deed Book 6124, Page 484
Deed Book 6538, Page 492
Plat Book 4, Page 159
Plat Book 49, Page 65
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