The celebration at Mt. Zion Church in Akers, Missouri, took place on Sunday, Dec.14 at 2 p.m. It marked the 11th year since the National Park Service (NPS) granted the Akers Community permission to resume using the church building.
Hymns and prayers fell silent in the Mount Zion church building for over a half- century after the Current River stopped flowing freely between farms, just like the rest of the river that flows south into Arkansas. The river a mile below Mount Zion became part of the NPS Ozark National Scenic Riverways, and the working farms vanished, including the church congregation. This section of the river was called the “Upper Current River,” but we always referred to it as the Current River, as it appears on maps.
The windows of Mount Zion Church were decorated with cedar, ornaments, and new Christmas bows. The Christmas tree was decorated with lights and ornaments, including a new style that showcased photos from the past few Christmas services, as well as pictures of people who have placed traditional ornaments on the tree and attended a Mount Zion Christmas Service in the last 10 years.
A spokesperson was asked from the National Park Service at Ozark National Scenic Riverways (OZAR) in Van Buren, who responded to the inquiry. Judy shared the great news with the congregation at the Mount Zion Christmas event.
Mt. Zion church work is tentatively planned for this year, shared Judy. Basically, it includes a variety of tasks, including upgrading electrical systems, adding more outlets, installing exterior lights, improving ADA/ABA access, installing outdoor water, interior repainting, floor refinishing, replacing metal roofing, and repairing cracks (tuckpointing) in rockwork.
William ‘Will’ Terry from NPS OZAR was further quoted on the project status in the communication.
The following is his reply that, also shared:
“I would tell the folks interested in Zion that as a park, we are doing our part to try and execute this work in the late spring and summer this year. However, funding for this effort comes from a regional source, and it is not yet available for this fiscal year due to factors outside of our control.
“What that means is that we're proceeding with compliance and all the tasks required to move forward. While we are tentatively scheduled to receive this funding in FY26, we won't know for sure until the NPS budget is finalized for the year. We remain hopeful that it will be forthcoming and that the project could move forward in the spring.”
A few years ago, Will Terry restored the floor, bringing the old wood at Mt. Zion back to life. Entering Mt. Zion that Sunday brought back memories of when Will Terry and Will Gray used to step onto a gymnasium floor to play basketball. Each floor shone as brightly as Mt. Zion did that Sunday afternoon, with the sun streaming through the window. Will Terry’s pride in refinishing Mount Zion’s floor was just as great as it was on the floors where the “Wills” played basketball.
Judy Maggard Stewart continues the tradition of opening the Mount Zion Celebration, greeting over sixty people in the congregation, inspiring the community pride and involvement after her brother Eugene “Gene” Maggard's passing from COVID-19.
Akers Ferry is dry-docked in front of where Eugene and Judy Maggard Stewart’s mother was the postmistress of Akers, Missouri, at the end of Missouri State Highway K, where the road crosses the Current River, where the ferry previously crossed, and near the location of the Ford on the River.
Judy expressed heartfelt thanks to Friends of Mount Zion, local historical groups, and the NPS, recognizing their vital support and making supporters feel appreciated.
She said, "I am so thankful to be able to use this building again since 2014, and that we have a team of organizations (Friends of Mt. Zion, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Ozark Riverways Foundation, Dent County Historical Society, Ozark Heritage Project, and the Shannon County Museum) to put on cultural events, 11 Christmases, Mother's Day, Akers reunions, open house, musical jam, and one private event, my 50th wedding anniversary."
Judy highlighted how our Ozark Mountain community collaborated to build this 77-year-old Cobblestone church, which holds deep historical significance and fosters pride and unity in the Akers Community.
Ervin Taylor gave the opening prayer.
The Mahan Trio, guest musicians from Houston, included Leslie on guitar, Seaman Don on mandolin, and their daughter, Sydney, who sang Christmas carols. Afterwards, they invited the congregation to join in.
The Howell Family filled one of the pews. They were Donald (Pete) and Janice Howell, parents of Leslie Howell Mahan and her sister. The Howell/Maggard Cabin is one of the last structures a boater sees on the Current River and is located just before the old Welch Spring Ferry Crossing. Ruth Maxwell held a photo of Grandma Howell standing in the Current River during a baptism.
Seaman Don attended Eminence Public Schools, where Judy was his first-grade teacher and her husband, John Stewart, was his high school math teacher.
Bridget Liggett, Judy’s daughter, sang “The Old Country Church,” as the Mahans and the congregation joined in while Leslie and Seaman Don accompanied with music.
Matt Milligan gave the Christmas message.
Dr. Eric Mansfield, with The Ozark Heritage Project, said the closing prayer and impersonated George Purcell, Judy’s grandfather, using his cane to quiet anyone who spoke too long during part of the program when most people shared their connection to Mount Zion.
Judy said that during the year, two people died: Winford Ray Boyett and Richard Purcell. Each man was instrumental in wanting to preserve the church building and maintain our Akers Cemetery.
Judy said Richard Purcell was always eager to donate and help clean Mt. Zion in preparation for an event. He served on the Akers Cemetery board for years until his passing. He platted the cemetery, helped with its upkeep, and made it clear that others needed to do their part.
Richard was the grandson of Elmer and Hattie Dooley Purcell, who also helped build this structure. Judy said Winford always came up with ideas for fundraisers to help restore Mt. Zion.
Winford crafted models of Mt. Zion and the Ozark Cabin, which were displayed in shadowboxes alongside a tomahawk his dad, Jayson, found at Jason's Place Campground while plowing near a cherry tree. Jason's Place was Winford's family farm.
He sent Judy family records of his father, Jayson, and his mother, Ada Boyet, who were masons that used the ribbon method between the stones when building the native cobblestone walls around Mount Zion.
The Boyet Family records that Winford sent Judy will be found in the genealogy library at the Shannon County Museum so that future generations can see them. Ervin Taylor is Winford’s nephew.
The Akers Community was very creative, not only constructing Mount Zion Church but also the Ozark Cabin to rent to tourists to help support the church.
Cookies, chocolate, and coffee were served during fellowship when Santa Claus arrived, and the event concluded.
Judy’s grandchildren, Presley Jane Stewart and Ridge Stewart, were the first in line to talk to Santa Claus, each carrying a brown bag with an apple, an orange, peanuts to hull, and wrapped candy, continuing a Christmas tradition at the Old Country Church, uphill from the Current River.
