Our History

The rich history of Cory Zion Church reaches back to 1880 when Harriet Morris decided to begin a Sunday School at the old Goosenibble School House because there were no churches in the immediate area.  

The following year, in 1881, that small group organized as the Newlite Christian Church but became better known as simply Zion.  Although there have been a few denominational affiliations over the years, we are a non-denominational church now.

Pastor Richard Johnson was hired as the church’s first minister.  The church’s first building was built in 1892 about 5 miles southeast of Cory. To keep the church from being called by the name of the school, members Jacob Gard and John Pittenger placed the word Zion over the door (see above picture).

In 1920 the building was moved to its current location on West County Road 300 South. In 1940 a basement was added along with other improvements. Since then, additional space and structures have been added – including an enlargement of the auditorium, added classrooms; a multi-purpose building with a kitchen and a basketball goal, a second-floor youth room; and an outdoor play area for young children.

A large “memory tree” which holds the name of people in whose names donations have been made  upon their passing hangs in our foyer.  Many of those names are part of our legacy of faithful followers at Zion.  In the back hallway are framed pieces of the history as well.