Woodstock in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Mt. Zion Methodist Church

Photographed by Linda Walcroft, December 11, 2018

1. Mt. Zion Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. Inspired by visits from traveling preachers, African Americans organized what would become Mt. Zion United Methodist Church ca. 1867. The congregation acquired the framework of a former German Reformed Church in 1869, moved it to this site, and used it to construct a sanctuary. In a town segregated by race, this church was the center of the African American neighborhood and hosted religious, educational, political and social events. After black residents campaigned for a school building, Woodstock's first African American public school was built on the church lot in 1882. The congregation constructed a new sanctuary here in 1921 under the leadership of Rev. W. H. Polk.

Erected 2018. (Marker Number A-126.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 38° 52.952′ N, 78° 30.149′ W. Marker is in Woodstock, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. It is at the intersection of North Church

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Street and E. Locust Street, on the right when traveling north on North Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 158 N Church Street, Woodstock VA 22664, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1LT Charles Bare Gatewood (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mabel Lee Walton and Sigma Sigma Sigma (about 600 feet away); The oldest business in Woodstock (about 600 feet away); Fanny Stone (about 600 feet away); Civil War Superhighway (about 700 feet away); Town of Strasburg (about 800 feet away); Town of Woodstock

Mt. Zion Methodist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Linda Walcroft, December 11, 2018

2. Mt. Zion Methodist Church

(about 800 feet away); Shenandoah County Courthouse (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Woodstock.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2018, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. This page has been viewed 393 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 24, 2018, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.