Published: May 16, 2008 11:39 am            

Mount Zion UMC celebrating 150 years

Church still vibrant, community-oriented

There was talk a few years ago about merging Mount Zion United Methodist Church into Lanesville UMC. But that talk was quickly silenced.

“We said no way,” said longtime member Robert Graddy. “I love a small church ... always have and always will.”

It’s that same kind of spirit which has kept Mount Zion UMC vibrant for 150 years. On Sunday, the rural Floyd County church, located at 2464 Ind. 11 near Lanesville, will celebrate its milestone with a pitch-in meal followed by a special service. The festivities begin at noon.

“It’s still around after all these years,” said Morris “Hank” Gunn, whose great-great-great grandfather started the church. “It’s where God’s word is preached. That is the main reason why it has stayed so many years.”

Gunn, and his sister, Margaret Schicker, who also is a member, are both proud that members of their family still belong to the church their descendant started.

“It’s overwhelming,” Schicker said. “David Gunn started the church and there are still Gunns going there today. We are a small church. We don’t have a large congregation.”

Gunn said the average attendance at the church is around 40. He said while the church is small in numbers, it is large in other ways. Schicker agreed.

“We try to do a lot for the community,” Schicker said. “If a family needs food, we supply food and do what we can. We just love God and try to do what he wants us to do.”

The church had to be rebuilt in 1946 following a fire. Many of the former pastors are coming back for Sunday’s celebration.

Graddy and his wife, Edna, were married in the church in 1960. He said there has been quite a few changes made over the past 48 years, including a new addition. He also said there has been some debate whether the church is older than 150 years.

“I am from a rural, small church in Kentucky and I like small churches,” Graddy said. “My wife and her mother and grandmother went up there before I did. You know everybody.”

“People are more like family here,” Gunn said. “We all know one another.”

Sunday’s celebration has been in the planning stages for almost a year.

“We’re expecting a big crowd,” Schicker said.

        

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