Welcome to Zion Memorial United Methodist Church!  Founded in 1830, Zion is one of the oldest congregations in the foothills region of Western North Carolina, and the mother church to many area ministries that have grown and developed into independence over the past Century and a half.

The first church at Zion was a log-type structure located about three and one-half miles east of Morganton.  Later on, in 1875, a new church was erected about one-half mile east of the old log church.  This church, in English Country Gothic design, stood until 1941 and served also as a schoolhouse during the week.  The present church, erected in 1941 and then re-erected in 1989, sits on a high bluff about 2 miles west of the town limits of Drexel.

Worship and fellowship are high priorities among Zion parishioners, with Sunday Church School each Sunday beginning at 9:45 a.m, followed by the Morning Worship Service beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The staff at Zion include the pastor, a part-time choir direct and organist, as well as a lay leader who aids the pastor in many tasks.

Zion Memorial United Methodist church is a community of faith seeking to inspire and encourage the reconciliation of all people to God and to each other through Jesus Christ.