zion chapel's history

      Zion Chapel is thought to be one of the oldest Methodist churches in                                                                                   Pittsylvania County. The original wood frame structure was built

 some time around August of 1803 about 3/4 of a mile from the 

 present church on land owned by Mr. & Mrs. David and Bethenia Pannill. In 1844, Mrs. Pannill left in her will to the church, seven acres of land, money for the Missionary Society, School house and a Bible.  Unfortunately her will was broken, however her heirs (Elizabeth Stuart and William Pannill) were determined to carry out her wishes.  On August 13, 1867, a deed was signed by Zion Chapel trustees John Younger, Asa V. Adams, William P. Adams, John Lampkin, and John W. Younger  giving the church eight acres of land with the understanding that if the church decided to move the land would return to the Pannills.

       On the 12th day of November 1887, a deed was signed between S.W. Younger and his wife Susan W. Younger and trustees J. J. Lamkin, S.W. Younger and John Adams. The deed gives to Zion Chapel  land located on the Younger plantation and located in a more accessible area to local roads. This property is where the current church is still located. A wooden structure was built by Ferdinand Honeybus and with help from various church members. The church's name changed to  Zion Methodist Episcopal Church-South. Other names mentioned in the church's history include Lawson and Kathryn Womack Hardin who gave benches and stone memorials; Dr. C.T. Womack who gave the pulpit furniture, church hymnal racks and funds that enabled the church to add Sunday School rooms. Then early Monday morning, February 13, 1956, the sixty-nine year old church burned completely to the ground with all it contents. The following Sunday, February 19, 1956, the congregation and their pastor Rev. Ed Bransetter, met in a vacant house on the farm of Lee Andrews to make plans to rebuild. The members continued holding services during the rebuilding period, but not without hardships. The first meeting place was a tent which was demolished in a wind storm in the fall of 1956. The congregation then moved to a vacant house on J. B. Hershman's farm but before the new church was finished the farm house was destroyed by fire. Realizing the hardships the church's members had to endure, other churches contributed in helping the Zion congregation get back on their feet. Some wrote letters to advertising agencies and received funds to help finance the rebuilding.                                                                                    

      The present brick building was completed one year and five days after the fire.  Zion Methodist Church was consecrated on March 31st, 1957.  The church has beautiful stained glass memorial windows. The pulpit furniture, hymnals and furnace were given by Dr. C.T. Womack, The pulpit bible, given by Mrs. W. A. Womack. Pews were given in memory or honor of loved ones. Brass plates on each pew indicates the contributor. Other furnishings were given by faithful members and friends. The dedication of Zion United Methodist Church took place on October 13th, 1968. Rev. Edward Johnson, pastor, assisted  Lee Andrews, trustee, with the burning of the note on the church building. Since that time expansions and improvements have taken place.

       The "Good Shepherd" window behind the pulpit was given in memory of Rev. W. H. Grubbs  who served as Zion's pastor from 1910-1914. He was the father of Rev. Carl Grubbs who served as Zion's pastor from 1979 -1985. Zion is the only church in the conference, at this time, where  both father and son served. On June 19, 1975, Zion officially became a station church. Zion had previously served on a charge with two other churches, Payneton and Siloam. Also during that time the congregation started making plans to build  a new parsonage. Land was secured from Mr. J. S. East about 1/2 mile from the church. Many of Zion's members assisted with the  building of the parsonage.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

     A consecration service for the new parsonage was held on August 3, 1975 with Bishop Kenneth Goodson attending. Homecoming Day, October 10, 1982 Rev. Carl Grubbs, pastor, assisted Rev. William Knight District Superintendent with the  parsonage note burning service .

We give God all the praise and glory for the accomplishments we have made over the past two hundred and twenty one years. He has brought this church and its people through many valleys and lead us to the  mountain tops. His Holy Spirit has and continues to minister to our every need. 

         In 2023, Zion United Methodist Church voted to disaffiliated from the United Methodist Conference. The church members voted to go back to the church's original name, Zion Chapel and to remain a non-denominational church. As a close knit church family, the people of Zion Chapel continue to faithfully serve the Lord. Much like the members of the past, who worked  so faithfully to build and grow Zion Chapel, the current members want to follow in their footsteps. To help in the develop of a church our young adults and children can be proud of.  A place where they can grow in wisdom and faith  in Jesus Christ.