Zion Episcopal Church Yard

Zion Episcopal Church Yard. . The Rector and parishioners welcome you to Zion Episcopal Church and Churchyard. The history of this place reflects the history and growth of Charles Town as an area settled by people moving west and from the north to the greater Shenandoah Valley in the 18th and 19th centuries., While the oldest gravestone dates to 1788 and was most likely moved to the property in the 19th century, the church building in front of you was built in 1851 following a fire which destroyed the first building that dated to 1815. There is much visible symmetry in the building architecture. There are doors from the north and south leading into the narthex, the central aisle divides the nave and sanctuary and an equal number of stain glass windows are along each side of the church. Following the Civil War, the church had years of growth and periods of financial challenge. The steeple was not added until 1891 and the bell weighing 1,328 pounds first rang for Easter in 1892. The interior side balconies were removed in 1899 and the interior was renovated in 1949., The Churchyard is the final resting place of notable people and local residents. The gravestone of Mary Ann Morsell who died in 1831 has a poem dedicated by her friend, Francis Scott Key. Members of the Washington family have lived in the area since 1750 with over 70 Washington family tombstones in the churchyard. Over 20 of them were born at Mt. Vernon. including the last owner, John A. Washington, who died in 1861. Colonel Lewis Washington, taken hostage by John Brown during his raid of Harpers Ferry is buried here., (Side bar) , You are welcome to walk among the graves. The styles are varied ranging from the flat table design, to more elaborate period monuments, to simple stones to a Celtic cross. Also take note of the old trees in the churchyard that anchor the space and cast soft shadows throughout the year. The stone wall was built in the 1850's. The front wall was replaced with an iron fence because of the ice and snow that remained on the brick pavement during the cold months making a treacherous approach for town parishioners walking to church. On the outside of the north wall are several iron rings where horse and carriages would be tied., The Churchyard Committee continues to raise money for the care and upkeep of the Churchyard and donations are welcomed to support the ongoing need for restoration and preservation.