It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Zirconia, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I'm so happy to have such a professional and reliable agency that I can refer”
“Always Best Care Seniors Services provide the personal touch in-home care! From our initial”
“Highly professional and very caring. A great company”
“I love this company. They are always very responsive. They truly care about the ones”
“Wonderful service, very helpful, great communication.”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me the peace of mind. They are”
“My husband has dementia. They have helped me continue to work and feel comfortable in”
“Very great place to work! The staff is very supportive!”
“This place is absolutely amazing to work for!! The office team is so welcoming and”
“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are”
“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”
“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”
“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy”
“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice”
“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack”
“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do”
“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the”
“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I”
“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great.”
“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never”
“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my”
“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here,”
“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the”
“I'm so happy to have such a professional and reliable agency that I can refer my caregivers to and know that they will receive the service they need to assist with the care of their loved ones with dementia,”
“Always Best Care Seniors Services provide the personal touch in-home care! From our initial call inquiring about services, to meeting the owner Jim Smeaton to discuss our unique family needs, to the caring compassionate and understanding caregivers we are thoroughly impressed. Its such a relief knowing our loved ones are receiving the care they deserve.”
“Highly professional and very caring. A great company”
“I love this company. They are always very responsive. They truly care about the ones that they care for.”
“Wonderful service, very helpful, great communication.”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They are reliable, and the caregivers are sweet and attentive.”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me the peace of mind. They are always able to be reached and are willing to work with you.”
“My husband has dementia. They have helped me continue to work and feel comfortable in knowing my husband is safe with excellent care. The office listens, really hears and is helpful to support and meet needs. Our caregiver, Chip, has become family. He was very personable, attentive to needs, brings extra in music, stories, making sure to pay attention to the patient and give accordingly. He is always kind and gracious. We are blessed to have them.”
“Very great place to work! The staff is very supportive!”
“This place is absolutely amazing to work for!! The office team is so welcoming and helpful anytime I call or come in, and my clients are wonderful! It’s more like helping a friend all day instead of working like clockwork!”
“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”
“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”
“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”
“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy just being in there in their organization .. my google is under Stephanie young but my last name is now Duarte . Young was my married name , I’m divorced now”
“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice and welcoming. I’m excited to join the team and see the great things they have in store.”
“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack thereof. It is regarding his cooperation regarding the service. He tends to not wake the caregiver for assistance during the night time. I would give specific names of individuals in this organization that I would request over others.”
“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”
“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the care of ABC Senior Services. I have had the privilege of enjoying the care of Lois C. She is the best advertisement for your agency. When I am asked, which happens frequently, about my experience with ABC, I refer to Lois as being your prime example of the type of care they can expect from you. She goes beyond just basic care and does all she can to help remedy any problem we have. I love that I can trust her and feel safe having her share my home with me. She is very professional yet very "down home", a rare combination. You should be very thankful she is on your "team"! Because of her, I have no problem recommending your company to all who ask.”
“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I have had a couple of very good people, one of which I have now. When I was getting going with them, I had a couple of people I would never like to have again, but that has all been ironed out.”
“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great. But they could be more proactive. They need to be better at communicating.”
“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never worked for a company that was so dedicated to clients and caregivers. Everyone is always happy, clients and staff. I am blessed to work here.”
“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my health, so it's been a blessing to have them taking care of him for me. I appreciate that the caregivers are friendly.”
“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do. They've helped the most just by being here.”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here, and doing what they're supposed to. They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do.”
“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the Always Best Care team. I have watched the staff there change lives for the better, not only for clients but each other as well. It is a pleasure to be a part of this team, nothing compares to it!!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Tuxedo Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Flat Rock, NC or visit Historic Johnson Farm, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Zirconia, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Zirconia, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Zirconia, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
ZIRCONIA, N.C. – Customers to the new Bully's Market in Zirconia are often surprised to be greeted at the door by two laid-back brown-and-white bulldogs, Jackson, 6 and Dutchess, 5. Other than sleeping, the dogs' duties at the market include greeting customers and smiling for photos.“Customers love the dogs,” said Bully's co-owner Sam Brinkley on a snowy Wednesday morning. “The customers go nuts. They take pictures with the dogs. We have other families who bring in their bulldogs and take picture...
ZIRCONIA, N.C. – Customers to the new Bully's Market in Zirconia are often surprised to be greeted at the door by two laid-back brown-and-white bulldogs, Jackson, 6 and Dutchess, 5. Other than sleeping, the dogs' duties at the market include greeting customers and smiling for photos.
“Customers love the dogs,” said Bully's co-owner Sam Brinkley on a snowy Wednesday morning. “The customers go nuts. They take pictures with the dogs. We have other families who bring in their bulldogs and take pictures, and we have pictures of them on our Facebook page, Bully's Mrkt.”
Sam's wife and market co-owner, Angie Brinkley, said their “bullies” are part of the community culture at the store, along with friendly service from their son, Paul, and a brother-in-law, T.J. Black. At Bully's, local musicians wander in, sit down and play extemporaneously. Live bluegrass music has developed into a regular thing on Sundays, but other than that, musicians come in to play whenever they feel in the mood.
The Brinkleys like it that way. When the couple opened Bully's in early January, “We wanted this to be a country, community store where locals can come in and do what they want, and now they've started coming in,” Angie Brinkley said. “Musicians come in a play and drop off their CDs. Authors have come in with books. It's becoming very much a community store.”
Sam Brinkley added that they are in search of “local wares,” including furniture, crafts and local foods to add to the market's mix of groceries, live bait, propane, tobacco and beer.
The 3,000-square-foot store has a spacious “beer cave,” a large walk-in cooler featuring dozens of beer brands. The beer cave often draws customers from South Carolina, where stores don't sell beer on Sundays.
“Within a 10-mile radius, there's no place for beer or groceries on Sundays,” Angie said. “We're the only little convenience store open here.”
The Brinkleys have never operated a convenience store before. Angie Brinkley is a full-time office assistant for a motorcycle distribution center in East Flat Rock. Sam Brinkley owns a home-based credit card processing company in Zirconia.
The market was previously called Good Times Market until the Brinkleys purchased it in November after learning that it was shutting down. The couple knew people needed the store as a place to stop for bread, milk, beer and other common goods.
“We decided to open it back up and operate it for the community,” Angie Brinkley said. “In this area, this is a close-to-our-heart market.”
Plus, the couple “always wanted to have our own business and we have a passion for our bulldogs,” hence the Bully's Market name, Angie Brinkley said.
They also have a strong relationship with their son, Paul, who has Asperger's Syndrome.
“We couldn't bear the thought of, if we passed away, he wouldn't have his own job,” Angie Brinkley said. “We wanted to do something that would leave him a legacy. He works here all week long and people love him. They will come in and sit and drink coffee with him. They will come in just to see him and I think that's a beautiful thing.”
Originally from Candler, where they graduated from Enka High, the Brinkleys spent time in Florida but said they were glad to move back home about two years ago when a family member became ill.
They now feel very much at home and are planning community events for the months ahead.
“We want to try to kick off the summer season with a nice big barbecue for the public,” Angie Brinkley said. “Play corn hole, have music and barbecue (from the cafe next door, Good Times Cafe). We want to let everyone know we're here for them.”
“We have a running list of special orders that we're happy to order for our customers,” Sam Brinkley added. “We want Bully's to be a warm hug when people come in.”
Bully's Market is located at 2185 Old Highway 25 in Zirconia. They are open seven days a week — Monday though Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 828-778-5299.
ZIRCONIA, N.C. – Inside Mountain Valley Baptist Church on any typical Sunday morning, about a dozen children walk, run and even skip to the front of the sanctuary to offer dollar bills for the church’s missions fund. Their parents and some of their grandparents always sit nearby, beaming with pride as they watch.The weekly offering is only one of many activities children enjoy at the church. It’s also only one of the many reasons Mountain Valley is home to a thriving congregation of both longtime members and new fami...
ZIRCONIA, N.C. – Inside Mountain Valley Baptist Church on any typical Sunday morning, about a dozen children walk, run and even skip to the front of the sanctuary to offer dollar bills for the church’s missions fund. Their parents and some of their grandparents always sit nearby, beaming with pride as they watch.
The weekly offering is only one of many activities children enjoy at the church. It’s also only one of the many reasons Mountain Valley is home to a thriving congregation of both longtime members and new families.
On Feb. 1, the church will mark its success. And it will honor the day 100 years ago when a few men and women came together in a small, windowless cabin on the edge of a cemetery to create the church.
Mountain Valley Pastor Shannon Owen said the church intends for the centennial service to be a day of celebration.
“We’re celebrating everything God has done for the church in the last 100 years and also looking forward to everything God will do in the future,” he said.
A variety of special activities are planned for the day.
Members will dress in vintage clothing similar to the type worn when the church came together in 1915. They will also put on a skit to re-enact the day leaders in the community met to organize the church.
An antique pulpit from the church’s early years will be used during the celebration service, and old church photographs will be available for inspection. Mountain Valley members will also share a meal to honor church founders and their vision for the church they created.
Owen said he is preparing a special sermon for the service.
“It will be a sermon reflecting on the past but focusing on the future,” he said.
The history of Mountain Valley Baptist Church is documented in two spiral-bound books a church committee compiled. The first book records the church’s history from 1915 to 1973. The second records the history from 1973 to 1998.
The church, which was originally named Poplar Springs Missionary Baptist Church, was organized in 1915 out of necessity, according to the first history book.
“Due to bad roads and lack of transportation, other than mostly horses and wagons, the people realized a need for a church in their own settlement,” according to the book. “On January 31, 1915, a group of ministers and deacons from neighboring churches and some of the people of the settlement met in a little long cabin at the Pearson Graveyard for the purpose of organizing a church, thus Poplar Springs Missionary Baptist Church was organized.”
The 14 members of the new church then began attending services in the cabin, which had no floor, no windows and no heat. The cabin was home to the church until members constructed a new building on the site in 1919.
Over the next several years, as membership grew and road conditions improved, the church decided replace the building with a new one closer to the mountain road. The new church, which was renamed Mountain Valley Baptist Church, opened in 1933.
In 1972, the church built its current facility, also near the road and not far from the 1933 church.
Mountain Valley now has a membership of about 230, with about 140 people attending services on most Sunday mornings.
Church member Jan Maybin joined Mountain Valley in 1954 and served on the committee that created both history books.
She said her work researching the church’s history helped her see that the church has always been made up of people who care about one another and who make the church a central part of their lives.
Members throughout the church’s history have shown their commitment to each other through their contributions when someone in the community dies.
“Everybody brings food in,” Maybin said. “It was always part of the church.”
The church also has continued an early tradition of providing gift bags for all those who attend its annual Christmas play. The paper bags are filled each Christmas with candy, frit and nuts.
Homecoming celebrations at Mountain Valley are also popular, festive events each year, Maybin said.
She said she has been pleased to see that in recent years new families have joined the congregation, along with many descendants of the church’s original founders.
“We’ve got an abundance of young people,” she said. “We’re getting more young people and couples from different areas. It’s great. It’s really helping the church.”
To make room for the growing membership, Mountain Valley bought 20 acres of property in the community in 2012. The church plans to build a new $1.5 million church with a 300-seat sanctuary, a Sunday school wing and a gymnasium on the site.
Owen said he thinks the founders of the church in 1915 would be pleasantly surprised by the current congregation and its plans for the future.
“If I were them, I probably would never dream of the church we’re planning,” he said. “But they would rejoice that the Lord had blessed the church so significantly that we could build a church like that.”
The 100th Anniversary Celebration at Mountain Valley will begin at 11 a.m. Feb. 1.
For more information about the church, visit www.mountainvalleybaptistchurch.org.
Please support us by turning off your adblocker.
Get unlimited digital access, along with subscriber-exclusive content, and more.
828-676-2939
