Church: History of Mt. Zion Church and Community Dates Back 104 Years , Winn Parish, LA. Source: June 29, 1944 Winn Parish Enterprise Submitted to USGENWEB by Greggory E. Davies 120 Ted Price Lane Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** History of Mt. Zion Church and Community Dates Back 104 Years by Mrs. J. C. Cardozier "Oft in the still night, ___ fond memories ever cling." In the rush and hurry of our every day lives, we forget important events of the past, even those that are responsible for our very existence, our welfare, and happiness, but it has not been so with us people of Mt. Zion. We are proud of Our present success and of the progress we have made, yet we ponder still of our history, rich in tradition , a century ago. The first settlers came to Mt. Zion in about 1840, according to information obtained from the oldest living member of the church, and from records now kept in a musty dome in the Clerk's office at Natchitoches. Clestane LaFleur settled the place, where Thomas Quinalty now lives, in 1840. He was Mr. Quinalty's uncle and he came from St. Landry Parish. John Sapp settled where Mr. N. D. Cardozier now lives. He was an uncle of of Mrs. Hattie Thomas of Montgomery and slave owner and wealthy in his day. They first held services under the trees. Mr. LaFleur donated the land for the first cemetery about 1850 and later Mr. T. T. Shumate donated the remainder of the land. Mr. Clem Wilson settled in about 1845 on the place known as the Uncle George Davison place. He was a devoted Christian and one of the organizers of the Mt. Zion Church. He was the grandfather of Mr. Hershel Hughes and Mrs. Leza McLemore, in fact, all the Hughes and Neals living here. About this time a band of immigrants left Alabama and started for the republic of Texas. When they got to Mt. Zion, they were attracted by the community and decided to remain here. Later they said the beautiful springing branches here reminded them so much of their old home so they abandoned the plans of Texas and became our most valuable citizens. Among these were the McCains, Hicks, and Currys. Rev. James Hicks, Elder and Circuit Rider, became out first citizen. He organized the Mt. Zion Church in 1858. The First church building was made of logs and LaFleur donated the logs. Antony Shaw, relative of Uncle John Shaw, cut and prepared the logs for the building. The people did work and got the building ready for the first protracted meeting which was held in August 1858. Rev. Hicks did the preaching. Among those who helped organize the church and constructed the first building were Rev. Hicks, Henry McCain, S. C. Curry, Clem Wilson, Isaac Mitchell (father of Joe Mitchell), Peter Bird, (Joseph) Monroe Plunkett, Tolliver T. Shumate and the Prathers who lived at Ebeneezer. From the first our church grew and prospered and many great revivals were held in the old log church. Mr. Quinalty says he had attended about eighty protracted meetings at Mt. Zion and remembers well what great revivals were held in the early days. It was a custom then to meet in grave meeting before services were begun. He remembers how all would pray and shout. They met and prayed for rain, health, in fact, they had the faith and went to God for those things they desired most. He says he believes their prayers were always answered. When the Civil War began Mt. Zion was a progressive and well conducted church. Here the mothers, fathers, and sweethearts of many a soldier in gray met and prayed for their safety and salvation. Many members of our church distinguished themselves on the field of battle. Matt McCain was given a distinguished medal for bravery in the battle of Vicksburg. He was at that time a member of our church. He later served in the Louisiana Legislature and cast a vote that put an end to Louisiana's Lottery and although he was offered a stupendous amount of money to change his vote, he steadfastly refused. His remains lie buried near the east side of the present church and together with his father, Henry McCain, Rev. Hicks, S. C. Curry, Clem McCain, Dr. Bice, in fact, most of those who were the "builders" sleep in the shadow of the church which they left to posterity. Mr. Henry McCain and George Horn and other citizens of our community planted the sycamore tree that now stands in front of the church just a few years before their deaths. Mt. Zion not only kept abreast of the time in church work but as the church and school have always gone hand in hand, we have had a school system at Mt. Zion until recent years, second to none. The first school was taught in the first log church, then in a building at the Mt. Zion Springs, then later, in a two story building. We once had a college here that conferred degrees in Arts and Sciences. John Paul, a graduate of Oxford University, England, once was Principal. Prof. C. C. Harris and our ex-state superintendent, T. H. Harris, once taught at Mt. Zion. Mt. Zion is now in the third building of its existence, a modern wooden building which is well kept for a country church. Most of its membership are descendants of these sturdy pioneers who laid its cornerstone in a wilderness over three quarters of a century ago. They laid that cornerstone upon a foundation of sacrifice and faith in Him whose manner of reckoning time looks on a day as a thousand years. Upon this foundation of faith the superstructure has securely rested and weathered the storms of Civil War, the dark days of reconstruction, the panics, depression and epidemics of diseases and we confidently believe it is destined so to repose until time shall be no more.