The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-09-20
NOTABLE CATH
ERING AT ZION
CENTENNIAL OF THE ESTABLISH
mENT or THE CHURCH cELE-
DRAFTED WITH IMPRESS
sIvE EXERCISES.
Something OF The History OF The
S Church And Its People.-Hospi-
tally For The Hundreds.

That was a notable gathering at
Zion Friday when the descendants of
those sturdy pioneers who came over
the mountains 100 years ago, gathered
to celebrate the centennial establish
ment of the churchSin which they had
worshipped through ten decades.
More than 1000 people gathered UNI
der the mighty cakes and elms and in
the handsome old church. They were
| representative men and women of all
the walks of life and they came not
only from Maury county, but from
other counties and from other states.
The exercises were impressive, and
at noon the far-famed hospitality of
those good people was seen at its
best, Long tables, covered with
snowy linen, almost groaned under
the wealth of good things to eat, and
/ 1t is safe to say that when the great
crowd gathered about they had never
seen the good things of life in greater
abundance or more temptingly ar
ranged.
Zion church and its people has been
potent for good since the organization
of the county. Its people have won
fame and name for themselves in the
councils of this and other states, in
the pulpit, at the bar, and in fact
wherever they have made their home
they have been recognized as right
living, right thinking citizens. It's
members have followed closely the
rough-heWn doctrine of their forefath-
ers, and wherever they have wand
cred, have faced the end confident and
serene in their faith.
In 1905 a hardy band of pioneers
representing some twenty families,
set out from Williamsburg, $. G. and
reaching Nashville, camped there I'M
til fall, when they moved to Frank
lin, Tenn. The following spring a sec
ond colony Joined them, and they then
removed south of the Duck river, set
Ting on fine tract of land, consist
ing of $3.50 acres, which has since
been known as the Zion or Frierson
neighborhood. This trace which has
proven to be exceptionally fertile, was
purchased from the heirs of Gen.
Green, the hero of the revolution, at
the rate of SO per acre.
During the winter of 1867 log
church was built as near the center OF
the above named tract as possible,
and in the spring of 1907 the families
of the pioneers were brought forward
It is said that on the journey OF
these families from Williamsburg,
they became divided into two parties,
those who owned their own wagons
and teams, led by the Rev. Jas. w.
Stephenson, and who declined tol
travel on the Sabbath, and those rent
ing horses, who were thus forced to
spend their Sundays on the journey.
"Parson" Stephensons party arrived
one hour late, in excellent spirits. and
without the loss of a limb-pin," while
those who had travelled continually
had been lost in the forest, and
reached Zion no sooner. but with iad-
ed teams and broken wagons.
The log church already erected was,
however, dedicated and the communi-
ty organized as church before they
built permanent homes for them
selves.
In 1873 the log church was replaced
by brick structure, which in time
became too small and was replaced by
the present commodious brick build
ing in 1849. Notwithstanding its
age this is an exceedingly handsome
church, truly colonial in design, with
an open vestibule, and white stone
columns. 1t Is situated ON an excel
lent elevation, surrounded by a grove
and graveyard, covered with blue
grass, and containing large forest
trees. Around the church and grave
yard is. handsome iron fence with
limestone pillars. which was placed
here as the result OF a beQuest OF
Mrs. Ed Armstrong, deceased
The exercises we're simple and
Mr.. d. F. Fulton was
master of ceremonies. DR.. A. G. Din
widdie OF Columbia delivered the
opening prayer. Rev. s. p. Halves,
he present pastor of the church. de-
iyered the address of welcome. Mr..
sam Stephenson read an historical
manuscript, bringing out many inter-
,sting points regarding the church and
Is people. 1.-The Organization and
Past History of Zion Church" was the
subject of very able address deliv'
red by Hon. w. S. Fleming of Co