History
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ABOUT MZBC
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The present brick sanctuary was built in 1854, but Mount Zion Baptist Church traces its history back to March 13, 1774, when it was constituted with eleven charter members as Piscataway Church. The Church of England was at that time the established religious body of the state of Virginia.
On the same day Piscataway Church was organized, a warrant was issued to apprehend all the Baptist preachers present. Accordingly, John Waller (who is considered the planter of Piscataway), John Shackleford, Robert Ware and Ivison Lewis were arrested and taken before a magistrate. Their trail took place in Tappahannock. The Essex County courthouse building “before whose bar these godly men were arraigned” is now incorporated in the church plant of Beale Memorial Baptist Church. The old criminal jail, in which Waller and two of the others (one was dismissed) were imprisoned, was burned during the Civil War.
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It is commonly believed that Piscataway Baptist Church was first located south of Latane’s Mill on or near the present site of Beulah Baptist Church, organized as a daughter church in 1873. In 1818 the Baptist Society of the county of Essex and parish of South Farnham and their successors were deeded land next to Piscataway Post Office by Captain Robert Gaines Haile, Sr. for the purpose of building a meeting house. Waller J. Parker’s 1912 church history describes this building as “a wooden structure erected on the other side of the road a little to the right of a point opposite” the present building.
The name of the church was changed from Piscataway to Mount Zion in 1856. The land on which the present building stands was a grant from Henry Waring Latane’.
James Greenwood was the church’s first pastor and served for 37 years. He was imprisoned for preaching in Middlesex and King and Queen. Elder Greenwood was described by Robert Baylor Semple as “the most spotless of all religious characters.” Under his leadership Bruington was constituted as a daughter church in 1790.
Elder Philip Montague was pastor from 1811 until his death in 1852.
It is recorded that this faithful minister baptized more persons that any other in Virginia, a total of 2,812. Philip was succeeded by his son, Howard W., who was renowned for his zeal, eloquence, and strength. Howard’s ministry ceased with his death in 1876. Thus, a period of 102 years was covered by these first three pastors.
Ephesus was formed as a daughter church in 1844 and Howertons as in 1856. Howertons and Mount Zion churches were a joint field from 1946 until 1968 when they called full-time ministers.
The building of the current structure at 5141 Dunbrooke Road was built in 1852 out of sand cast brick with two and three-foot-thick walls. This was a reaction to the fire that took the wooden building just before. The builders were determined that the new church would never be destroyed, and it looks like this sturdy secure building will be here for another two hundred years.
A few architectural elements one might find interesting are the charred wood boards that mark where one of two coal burning stoves used to stand. The old chimneys are still marked on the tin roof by square patches. We have a baptismal pool that is built under the pulpit and is uncovered with every use. There is also a twisting staircase to the balcony that was added after the first construction, and the fret work on the front of the balcony where each piece looks to be individually made. There is more history to be learned just from our cemetery.
A new education wing was built in the 1960’s. During the excavation of the fellowship hall a three-day storm came and washed out the existing transept wall near the parking lot. The transept chandelier hung exposed to the elements until the wall could be rebuilt.
In 2004 the new Parker Fellowship Hall was built. This addition was dedicated in memory of Aller Johnston Parker and Annie Broaddus Parker and their descendants by their grandson Hugh C. Parker, Jr.
Those visiting Mount Zion Baptist Church are extended a warm welcome. We are happy to have you with us today and hope you will come again.
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