Mobile in Mobile County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Big Zion African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

— Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage Trail —

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 24, 2023

1. Big Zion African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Marker

Inscription. This congregation originated in 1842 with a group of slaves who worshipped in their masters' church, a Methodist congregation. They were required to move to a small house provided for them. Their perseverance and faith held them together through adversities and three other temporary places of worship. This site was purchased in 1860 about which time they voted to transfer from the Methodist charge to the A.M.E. Zion connection. A wooden shed and parsonage was first constructed. In this shed was held the first ordination in Alabama of a Negro minister by a Negro bishop. The present structure was begun in 1867 by Rev. E.D. Taylor. It was remodeled in 1896.

Erected 1972 by the Historic Mobile Preservation Society. (Marker Number 5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Notable Places • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) Church, and the Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage Trail of Mobile series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 30° 41.142′ N, 88° 3.094′ W. Marker is in Mobile, Alabama, in Mobile County. It is at the intersection of South Bayou Street

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and Church Street, on the left when traveling south on South Bayou Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 S Bayou St, Mobile AL 36602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Alabama’s Gulf Coast

and in Mobile Bay.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

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: James W. Roper (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Eugenie Marx (about 400 feet away); The Quigley House (about 400 feet away); Home of Raphael Semmes (about 500 feet away); Old Church Street Cemetery - 1819 (about 500 feet away); The Bee Hive (about 800 feet away); The Kennedy-Cox House / Joshua Kennedy Jr. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Emerson Institute (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mobile.

Big Zion African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 26, 2015

2. Big Zion African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,171 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 24, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 2. submitted on August 1, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.