Orion School and Chapel

02/09/2026

Join us at Orion Chapel for an Ash Wednesday service on February 18, 2026. All are welcome.

If you are able, please park at the schoolhouse (350 Orion Lane) and walk to the chapel. There is parking at the chapel for those who have mobility limitations (194 Orion Lane).

11/10/2025

Here's a great, early photo of the congregation at the Orion Chapel performing a baptism. The chapel was completed as the Orion Methodist Church in 1902 on land deeded to the congregation by Sallie Bower Colvard. 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.

Don't forget to join us at Orion this evening from 4 to 6 p.m.! We'll be meeting in the historic Orion Schoolhouse just a few yards away from the chapel for our photo swap and community get-together. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the chapel if they wish!

The schoolhouse is located at 350 Orion Ln, Jefferson, NC.

11/03/2025

We had such a great time sharing photos and stories at Orion this weekend. A huge thank you to Museum of Ashe County History for all the recordkeeping and story telling they do for our county. Thank you to Mallory from the Ashe County Public Library for digitizing and saving photos, to Lonesome Ridge band for the amazing tunes, and to the community for coming together to share. Let's do it again!

11/01/2025

JEFFERSON — On Saturday, Nov. 1 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the historic Orion School and Chapel, in collaboration with the Museum of Ashe County History, will host a

10/18/2025

We can’t wait for this event! Bring your old Ashe County photos and join us for some great live music.

The historic Orion School and Chapel, in partnership with the Museum of Ashe County History, would like to invite you to the Orion Photo Swap and Community Get-Together!🍁📷

Join us on Saturday, Nov. 1st from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Orion Schoolhouse, located at 350 Orion Ln in Jefferson, for an evening of friends, music, and recounting memories. We encourage folks to bring their old photos of Ashe County to be scanned, enjoy some light refreshments, and listen to some tunes by Tim Lewis and Lonesome Ridge. The historic Orion Chapel will also be open for visitors to tour.

Tickets are not needed for this event; however, we ask that guests make a recommended donation of $5 or bring 5 Ashe County photos to be scanned. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Museum of Ashe County History and their mission to preserve local history.

For more information call (336) 846-1904!

We hope to see you there!

02/11/2025

It is still wintertime in Orion.

01/24/2025

When my daughter turned *one* we celebrated her birthday in this beautiful chapel and school house. I always hoped I’d have the opportunity to photograph a wedding there and it happened!

Weston and Cassandra gave me the greatest privilege to be a part of their intimate wedding. This couple’s poetic love story included beautifully written custom vows, a choreographed first dance, and thoughtful touches in the details throughout the day. It really only seemed fitting that we were graced with welcomed snow flurries!

Now when I think about both of my experiences at Orion School and Chapel I’ll smile and think of fondly. It’s truly a special space!

11/25/2024

Orion is officially booked for event rentals in 2025!

As we've said in the past, we feel so lucky to be stewards of these historical and precious spaces. The schoolhouse and chapel hold special spots in our hearts and in the hearts of our community. As someone who had their own wedding here, I recognize how perfect Orion is to hold those celebrations. However, part of preserving them means not overusing and saving time for repairs and rest. With that in mind, we set aside only a few weekends every year to host weddings at Orion Schoolhouse & Chapel.

We’re looking forward to some public events in the coming year, so be on the lookout for those! And of course, feel free to reach out if you are interested in any 2026 dates. ❤️

The best way to reach us is at our website, www.orionschoolandchapel.com/contact

06/10/2024

06/07/2024

Tomorrow’s the big night!

The museum benefit show at Orion School and Chapel will take place tomorrow, Saturday June 8th. Doors open at 5 p.m. Guests are encouraged to come early to enjoy a reception and light refreshments at the Orion Schoolhouse prior to the show.

Starting at 6 p.m. guests to this event will be treated to a gospel & bluegrass concert by Rock Bottom inside the historic Orion Chapel. We’ll also have a selection of artifacts from the Orion community on display for people to see!

The Orion School and Chapel are located at 194 & 350 Orion Lane, Jefferson NC 28640.

We still have a few tickets available, so if you’re interested in attending you can stop by the Museum of Ashe County History’s gift shop to purchase a ticket or click the link below!

https://square.link/u/1cq5J5IU

For any questions about this event, call (336) 846-1904.
Photo: The inside of the historic Orion Schoolhouse.

06/03/2024

Check out this cool ca.1950s photo of Ashe County’s Orion Chapel!

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.

Visitors to the chapel today can still see the pews that were sourced from North Wilkesboro in the early 1900s. At the time the pews cost $2.00 each and were brought up the mountain by wagon.

The public will have the opportunity to tour this historic chapel, as well as the Orion Schoolhouse this weekend during the Orion Benefit Show!

Guests to this event will be treated to a gospel/bluegrass concert by Rock Bottom inside the historic Orion Chapel. Prior to the concert, guests may tour the historic Orion School, enjoy some light refreshments, and check out some artifacts from this unique Ashe County community.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Museum of Ashe County History and its mission to preserve our local history.

Participants may purchase tickets at the museum’s gift shop, or online by clicking the link below!

https://square.link/u/1cq5J5IU

04/08/2024

We’re excited to announce that Rock Bottom will be playing at Orion Chapel on June 8, with proceeds going to the Museum of Ashe County History! We are collaborating to bring you an evening full of music, history, and community.

Come early to tour the Orion Schoolhouse and browse some historical pieces saved from these Orion spaces. There will be light refreshments at the schoolhouse before a concert with Rock Bottom at the chapel.

Bring your family and friends to celebrate these amazing buildings and the history of the Orion community. Tickets are available at https://square.link/u/1cq5J5IU 🎵🎶