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In 1939, William Edward McCullers, who was the great-grandson of John Leach, started a drive to raise money to remodel or rebuild the old church. The first money was raised by the sale of the old Johnston Academy building, established on the church grounds in the late 1800s. Several hundred dollars was raised, but World War II was declared and the building plans had to be postponed.

In 1948, under the pastorate of Rev. N.P. Edens, the building plans were again taken up. The plans were drawn up and approved by the Duke Foundation, and Herbert Wrenn was hired as contractor.

The second sanctuary was fashioned along the Ancient Gothic Cathedrals, which were in the form of a cross. The old part of the church was brick veneered leaving the original structure intact. The new part was built of cement blocks and brick veneer.  The stained glass windows are of gothic style and depict the symbols of the Methodist church. The new church was dedicated to the glory of God on June 24, 1951. Many friends and former members attended this dedication, and following the service a fellowship dinner was served on the grounds under the big oak trees.

Information taken from "Mt. Zion Methodist Church and Her People 1809-1966," Vol. 1, Merdyth McCullers Lane.

Since the article above was published in 1977, Mount Zion parishioners have continued to do God's work by expanding our missions and facilities. 

The members soon realized that the enlarged Sanctuary and the use of the east side of the old church for classrooms was not adequate for the growing membership.  Some means of expansion needed to be made.  In order to make room for this expansion of the Church plant, more land was needed.  The Rev. J.D. Autry and wife Clara offered two acres adjoining the church property.  Instead of selling the land, they deeded it to the Trustees of Mount Zion Church (2.4 acres) “for and in consideration of $1.00 and other valuable considerations” as was recorded on February 20, 1956, in the Johnston County Book of Deeds. The church men built an annex which was adjoined joined to the Sanctuary by a breezeway containing three Gothic Arches.  It was dedicated to Tom L. McCullers in 1960.  The Annex was divided into Sunday School classrooms using folding partitions.  During fellowship events the partitions were retracted to accommodate larger groups.  

Another three decades passed and the growth of the church continued.  In the late 1980s a long-range planning committee was charged to assess the current and future facility needs of Mt. Zion.  The committee's work yielded a multi-phase construction plan with the next phase being the addition of a Sunday School wing.  This project consisted of a two-story brick addition on the east side of the existing sanctuary.  It included over eleven Sunday School classrooms and staff office space.  It was consecrated in 1991.  The Annex partitions and a hallway were removed to create what is now known as the Fellowship Hall.  The kitchen was also remodeled.