Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Mt. Zion United Methodist Church

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 14, 2018

1. Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. Mt. Zion, recognized as the oldest continuing African American Methodist congregation in Virginia, traces its origins to the Old Stone Church, established in Leesburg in 1766. Black members of the Old Stone Church, desiring their own church after the Civil War, purchased land here for $250 in 1867 and built Mt. Zion. The Rev. William O. Robey, who taught in schools for emancipated African Americans, led the congregation. From 1939 to 1968, Mt. Zion was part of the segregated Central Jurisdiction of the Methodist Church. Mt. Olive Church, established by African Americans in nearby Gleedsville in 1889, merged with Mt. Zion in 1984-1985.

Erected 2017 by Department of Historical Resources. (Marker Number F-103.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1766.

Location. 39° 7.026′ N, 77° 33.76′ W. Marker is in Leesburg, Virginia, in Loudoun County. Marker is on North Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12 North Street, NE, Leesburg VA 20176, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker. Lee Comes to Leesburg (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Glenfiddich House (about 400 feet away); Courthouse Yard (about 700 feet away); In Honor of The Loudoun Citizens… (about 700 feet away); Our Glorious Dead (about 700 feet away); In Memory of the Heroic Dead (about 700 feet away); The “I Have a Dream Committee” (about 700 feet away); Loudoun County Courthouse (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leesburg.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Markers for the Old Stone Church and Mt. Zion Cemetery

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 14, 2018

2. Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Marker

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

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 14, 2018

3. Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Entrance

Church Cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 14, 2018

4. Church Cornerstone

Architectural Excellence image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 14, 2018

5. Architectural Excellence

The church was recognized in 2004 as a structure of architectural excellence by the Town of Leesburg's Board of Architectural Review.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2018, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 375 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on November 21, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 13, 2018, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.