Mr. Brown used the power of the water rushing over the dam to turn the millstone. The mill house was a 4 1/2 story structure. Brown's Mill served the people north and west of the L&N Railroad in Warren County and had customers from Butler and Edmonson Counties as well. Mr. Brown was one of the largest land owners in the area. The William Brown family had worshipped at Green River until they had a "falling out" over a doctrinal issue and decided Greencastle needed its own place of worship and that it would be structurally larger than Green River Union. Therefore, the building at Mt. Zion was constructed four feet longer than Green River Union. Mr. Brown donated three acres of land to be used for worship and a burying ground. Some of the workmen who constructed the original church house were slaves owned by William Brown. The foundation stones, steps and mounting blocks were quarried from the bluff behind the building where scars from the workmen's tools may still be seen. The building was constructed from yellow poplars that grew on the steep hillside nearby. The walls and ceiling were plastered with sand from the river which was mixed with hog bristles for binder. There were two sets of doors at each end of the building between the posts. The ladies sat on the side next to the river and used the doors on that side. The men sat on the opposite side.
Also located near the river at Greencastle, was a hotel and saloon, run by Commodore Burchfield, a store, a post office, a blacksmith shop, a school taught by Ben Ellis, and a doctor, S.B. Johnson, M.D.
According to Mr. Charles Davenport, great crowds of people attended the Mount Zion Church. One early preacher was Levi Morgan. His thirteen children made up the choir. The Mount Zion record book listed 197 members in the year 1883.
On September 29, 2002 the church observed its 150th year of establishment. Minister David Eadens preached the sermon with nearly 300 people in attendance. Many members adorned themselves is clothing styles from the 1800's. Numerous preachers from Mt. Zion's past attended the service and events of the day. A ribbon cutting was held after the service to dedicate the addition of a new fellowship hall, nursery, two classrooms, and a women's restroom. A dinner was held shortly after on the grounds of the cemetery. A book of Mt. Zion's memorable events was compiled and passed out to members and visitors. It was a great day for the church at Mt. Zion.
On August 15, 2008 we sadly lost our 156 year old building to fire. The fire was determined by ATF officials to be arson. While it saddens us to lose decades of history we pressed forward and looked to the future.
On Sunday, April 12, 2009 (Easter Sunday), Mt. Zion opened the doors to the new building for the first worship service. With 180 people in attendance, the worship service was very emotional and uplifting. We praise our God for His love and for the strength of the Mt. Zion congregation. It is our aim that we always continue to work together to better serve the Lord.
