History

(Scroll to bottom to see photos)

Carland-Zion was born out of revival in 1890. A group of Brethren in Christ (BIC) had migrated to Michigan from Canada and held revival meetings in a one-room school house (Scott Schoolhouse) about one mile north of the church's current location.

The early BIC (known originally as "River Brethren") were a separatistic people. Born out of the Anabaptist tradition (Mennonites, Amish, etc.), the group taught the importance of living a life separate from the world and emphasized such things as plain dress and simplistic living.

What separated the BIC from other Anabaptist groups, however, was their belief in an experiential faith. This "pietist" belief taught that people's lives can and were radically changed by an intimate faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. Later in their history, the BIC also adopted tenets of Wesleyan thought, including an emphasis on the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. For more on Brethren in Christ history and doctrine, visit the denomination's website, www.bic-church.org.

In the first part of the 20th century, the BIC launched world missions and began to see the necessity of reaching their friends and neighbors with the good news. This led to a gradual decline in the separatist teachings of the group as they began to embrace their communities with the life-changing message of the gospel.

Carland-Zion was no exception. A large growth spurt took place in the 1960s as the group began to proactively evangelize their community. Although many ups and down followed, the group of believers that make up Carland-Zion church today come from a wide variety of traditions within the Christian church. While we continue to emphasize the importance of simple living, an intimate relationship with Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit in a person's live - our main goal is to spread the Good News that Jesus loves you, He died for your sins, and He wants to know you as your best friend and Savior!

At the dawn of the 21st century, Carland-Zion once again experienced a large growth spurt that continues to this day. At present, approximately 100 people call our church home, with an average Sunday attendance of around 60. We aren't a mega-church, and don't plan to be one. But, we are an authentic group of believers who care about you! Come and join us this Sunday and find out for yourself!

Building History

The church building was built in 1891 and originally consisted of only what is now the sanctuary. It was a simple structure and met the needs of the congregation for many years.

In the 1950s, a Fellowship Hall was built next to the church building. It contained a large gathering room and a kitchen. At around the same time, the parsonage was built on nearby land. In the early 1960s, the Fellowship Hall and the original church building were connected with a new structure that included bathrooms, and office, and Sunday School rooms. At that time the sanctuary was reversed. The original entranceway became the platform and pulpit area, and people entered where the pulpit once sat.

Pictures of the early church are mostly non-existent because the early BIC shunned photography as "worldly." Below are two photos that come to us courtesy of the Brethren in Christ Archives in Grantham, Pennsylvania. The first is a photo of the parsonage, with the south side of the church visible behind it. The second was taken inside the sanctuary in the 1940s and shows the original platform on the south wall as well as the stove pipe once used to heat the building.

Photo 1

Photo 2