A laconically plain country church, Mount Vernon United Methodist, in the Scott County community of Maces Spring, follows the pattern of scores of rural religious structures scattered through the Virginia hinterland. This particular church, built in the 1890s, gains fame for its association with the Carter family, famed country music performers. The Mount Vernon Methodist Church was a cornerstone in the lives of A. P. Carter and his wife Sara, and their kinswoman, Maybelle Carter. All three were devout Christians and active in the life of the church. Local church music was an important influence in their careers, and many of the songs they recorded were hymns and other religious pieces. A. P. Carter developed his vocal talents here as a boy singing in the church choir. The church is still attended by Carter family members. A. P. and Sara are both buried in the church cemetery. Listed without a formal nomination in the registers under the Carter Family Thematic nomination Multiple Property Document (MPD) form.