Zion United Methodist Church - Spotsylvania VA - This Old Church on Waymarking.com

The building of Zion Church was started in 1857 and completed two years later by the Liberty Methodist Class which had been formed by a small group of people in 1850 in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia who met in their neighbors' homes. The Greek Revival-style brick church's original name was Old Liberty Methodist-Episcopal Church and it had 40 members.

The church was surrounded by a white picket fence and the sanctuary was lit by kerosene lamps and heated by two woodstoves.

Several years later, the Civil War broke out and Zion Church did not escape unscathed. When Generals Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant marched their armies to Spotsylvania Court House, Confederate General A. P. Hill set up headquarters at the church which was also used as a hospital. The church was fired upon by Union troops and suffered extensive damages which had to be repaired before worship could be resumed.

In 1899, Zion Church was completely renovated with a new tin roof and chandeliers of oil lamps. The Crismond family donated stained glass windows for the pulpit and the Pendletons donated land for a cemetery.

Electricity came to the church in 1940.

In the early 1950s, attendance fell and closure was threatened, but Zion Church persevered and remained open. By 1957, the church saw a significant increase in its numbers. In 1959, the former postmistress of Spotsylvania donated a small frame building which had been the post office for use as a classroom; the extra room was sorely needed by the growth. It was moved from its original location in Spotsylvania Courthouse to directly behind the sanctuary.

In the early 1970s, a new educational building was added and in 1982, a parsonage was built.

Over 150 years later, the church still conducts worship service. Today, it is called the Zion United Methodist Church or Zion UMC. The little brick building has seen many changes and additions over the years, but the main church looks much the same as it did in 1859.

Reference:

• Zion UMC: History

Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1859 Age of Church building determined by?: Cornerstone or plaque If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Methodist If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 11:00 AM Street address of Church: 8700 Courthouse Road Spotsylvania, VA USA 22553 Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed

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