BEAVERCREEK — Mount Zion Church in Beavercreek celebrated its 175th anniversary Nov. 22.

Chaplain Maj. Gen. Steven A. Schaick, chief of chaplains, Department of the Air Force, Pentagon, gave the sermon on “Grace.” Schaick served as Mount Zion’s first minister of youth and young adults From 1986-1988.

The anniversary’s theme was “God Is Faithful.” It included a video presentation of the history and legacy of Mount Zion from the founding by the Rev. David Winters in 1845 to the present. The perseverance of the church and the faithfulness of God through prosperous years and times of trial were demonstrated.

The Rev. David Winters was known as the Apostle of the Miami Valley. He rode 2-3,000 miles a year through fields on horseback. Once settled, Winters held outdoor worship services and planted 15 churches in the 1800s. During his 60 years of ministry, Winters rode 106,000 miles, preached 8,000 sermons, baptized 3,000 converts, confirmed 2,400 members, performed 5,090 marriages and 1,300 funerals. In August 1845, he and members of Beaver Church built Mount Zion at the corner of Indian Ripple and Fairfield roads. Until his death in 1885, Winters pastored seven churches at one time and was Mount Zion’s pastor for 40 years.

In 1912, the original wooden church building was replaced by a yellow brick building. Until the congregation grew to five-weekend services and required more space, it stood on the hill overlooking Beavercreek. In 2008, a new church building was built at 428 Shepherd Road. Located in Beavercreek Township near Sugarcreek Township and Xenia, the church offers multi-generational worship services at 9 and 11 a.m., a nursery, programs for children and youth, small group Bible studies, ministries inside the church, and service outreaches to the surrounding community.