Downtown in Asheville in Buncombe County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 4, 2025

1. Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Founded in 1880 by Rev. Robert Rumley and moved to present location during the tenure of his successor, Rev. Jacob Nelson. Rev. John Hairston oversaw further expansion and installation of large pipe organ. Present building was designed by Vanderbilt's architect, Richard Sharpe Smith and constructed in 1919 by African-American master brickmason James Vester Miller and his company.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 35° 35.643′ N, 82° 32.964′ W. Marker is in Asheville, North Carolina, in Buncombe County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Eagle Street and South Spruce Street, on the right when traveling east on Eagle Street. The marker is attached to the brick wall behind the Mt Zion Missionary Baptist Church sign. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 47 Eagle St, Asheville NC 28801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historical Black Churches in Asheville (within shouting distance of this marker); The YMI & William and Georgia Roland (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Asheville's Enslaved People (about 300 feet away); "The Block" (about 300 feet away);

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James Vester Miller (about 400 feet away); Brick Artisan (about 400 feet away); Stephens - Lee H.S. Educates Legends and Heroes (about 400 feet away); Ashe Monument (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Asheville.

Full view of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Marker indicated by arrow image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 4, 2025

2. Full view of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Marker indicated by arrow

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 4, 2025

3. Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church cornerstone

Inscription:
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Rebuilt 1919
Rev. J. R. Nielson Pastor

Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 179 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 5, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.