Zion Baptist Church was organized in August 1843. The church started with about 25 members and had grown to over 70 before the beginning of the Civil war. In 1861, when the Civil War began, Zion Baptist members were scattered, causing the church to close until after the war. In 1868, Zion Baptist began to reassemble and reorganize. Zion Baptist was a charter member of the Watauga Association of Baptists. In 1892, the church voted to relocate from the Big Springs community to Gap Creek. The site across from the present location was selected and property was purchased March 22, 1892, for $12.50 and the deed was written in the name of Zion Baptist Church and notarized January 4, 1895. In the mid-1960s, land was purchased across the street and the present building was constructed. In the 1980s, under the leadership of Pastor C.W. Snodgrass, a fellowship hall was constructed and a new wing added for more classroom and office space. In 2001, the sanctuary and parking lot were enlarged. Dr. D. Alan King has served the church as pastor since 2008. During his leadership, a new 40-space parking lot has been constructed and the sanctuary enlarged. The congregation, Sunday will celebrate its 176th anniversary.