Green Valley in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Established 1866
Photographed By Kevin Vincent, October 7, 2013
1. Mt. Zion Baptist Church Marker
Inscription.
Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Established 1866. As soon as the smoking guns of the Civil War were finally silenced, a group of former slaves banded themselves together in what was then known as Freedmen’s Village, a government reservation in the area of Arlington National Cemetery, and founded a Baptist Church. This Church was named The Old Bell Church. From these humble beginnings in the year 1866, the Mt. Zion Baptist Church was born. It is the oldest of the Black congregations in Arlington. Today it is a magnificent temple, a light shining in the darkness, “A city set on a hill” reaching out to the masses in an attempt to fulfill the works of the Master, “To heal the sick, feed the poor, clothe the naked, comfort the sorrowful and bring deliverance to the captives.”
As soon as the smoking guns of the Civil War were finally silenced, a group of former slaves banded themselves together in what was then known as Freedmen’s Village, a government reservation in the area of Arlington National Cemetery, and founded a Baptist Church. This Church was named The Old Bell Church. From these humble beginnings in the year 1866, the Mt. Zion Baptist Church was born. It is the oldest of the Black congregations in Arlington. Today it is a magnificent temple, a light shining in the darkness, “A city set on a hill” reaching out to the masses in an attempt to fulfill the works of the Master, “To heal the sick, feed the poor, clothe the naked, comfort the sorrowful and bring deliverance to the captives.”
Erected by Arlington County, Virginia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.
Location. 38° 51.201′ N, 77° 5.281′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Green Valley. Marker is at the intersection of South Kenmore Street and South 19th Street, on the right when traveling south on South Kenmore Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3500 South 19th Street, Arlington VA 22204, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2013, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. This page has been viewed 759 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 9, 2013, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
