History
Orion School, around 1894.
The community of Orion was named by farmers who worked lands both on and off the mountain, since the climates are distinct and are suitable for a diversity of agricultural production. It is thought that Orion got it’s name from being “up near the stars” in the mountains.
The Orion School served the community as both a place of learning for children and community meetings from the mid-1800’s until the 1940’s.
The congregation at the Orion Chapel was organized on February 10, 1886. This first group of people gathered at Orion School until the construction of Orion Methodist Church was completed in 1902. Sallie Bower Colvard deeded 110 poles of land (.7 acres) as the church site, approximately 200 yards from the schoolhouse.
Still present in the chapel today, the pews were sourced from North Wilkesboro. The pews cost $2.00 each and were brought up the mountain by horse and buggy. The pulpit and chancel rail came from another church in Jefferson, NC and are both older than the chapel itself. The walls of the chapel are American Chestnut wood from before a blight struck the trees. Most of the windows in the chapel contain the original pressed glass.
In 1978, the declining congregation merged with a larger church in Jefferson. The chapel was eventually passed down to Edith Colvard Crutcher, who restored the interior to it’s original state. We have a deep appreciation for the Colvard family, their part in the origin of the Orion Chapel, and the great care that gave in restoring the building.
Watch the video below to hear Edith (Edie) Colvard Crutcher speak about her memories of the Orion Chapel.
This video was produced by Appalachian Memory Keepers.
