Mount Zion United Methodist Church

The Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, built in 1893, is significant both for its long association with the black community of Belton and as an example of a vernacular interpretation of the Gothic Revival style. Built by an African-American congregation, the church is one of the few surviving early black churches in the Bell County area. Contextually, the building relates to Community and Regional Development in Belton, specifically the rapid growth the town experienced during the peak years of the cotton boom around the turn of the century and the related growth of the black community in Belton during this period. The church meets National Register Criterion A, significant in the area of Ethnic Heritage for its long-term association with an African-American congregation from the late years of the 19th century, and as a focal point for the black community in West Belton since that time. The building also meets Criterion c, in the area of architecture as an intact vernacular interpretation of the Gothic Revival style.

The Mt. Zion United Methodist Church was built in 1893 by a largely African-American congregation in West Belton. Little is known about the construction of the church or its early history. The building is situated on the western bank of Nolan Creek in what was at the time one of the largest black residential neighborhoods in the city. Before the Civil War Bell County had an economy largely based on ranching and a relatively small black population--21% in 1860. After the war, there were few jobs for freed blacks and tremendous oppression. As cotton emerged as a principal cash crop later in the century, blacks were able to work in the labor-intensive growing and processing jobs and the black population grew; however, they were allowed to live only in segregated communities in the less desirable areas. West Belton, across Nolan Creek from downtown, became the largest black neighborhood. The church served--and continues to serve--as one of the foci of the black community.

Although simple and restrained in its ornamentation, the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church is an interesting vernacular interpretation of the Gothic Revival style in the area. Few Black churches from the 19th century have survived intact. This structure is presently in poor condition with a modern addition which detracts somewhat from its architectural integrity; it is nonetheless a very good example of the sort of modest churches erected by African-American congregations.