Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church

Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church (1978)

Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church (2016)

Site Name: Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church

Date of Construction: 1869

Reason for Construction:  Sixth Mount Zion was founded after the Civil War because there were few churches in the South for black people to freely and peacefully worship.

Site History: Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church was founded by Peter Randolph and John Jasper on September 3, 1867. The church originally congregated in an abandoned Confederate horse stable on Brown’s Island, a simple building that was typical of early black churches in the Reconstruction era. The church was moved from Brown’s Island to a former white Presbyterian church which relocated due to the growing African American population in Jackson Ward, which was contracted by John Boyd. The move to their current location in Jackson Ward was due to over expansion in the building caused by the popularity of John Jasper’s “De Sun do Move” sermon. John Jasper (July 4, 1812–March 30, 1901) was one of the most prominent post-Civil War black ministers, and attracted many blacks to the church due to his popularity. In his sermon, he described the “fundamental truth of the Bible and the power of God”, which gained the attention of both white and black people in throughout the nation. He attracted more than 2,500 members to the church, which eventually served as a religious center for the residents of Jackson Ward. The church today has been recognized by two historic highway markers, one by the church itself and and another in Fluvanna county where John Jasper was born. The site is also recognized on the National Register of Historic Places as well as the Virginia Landmarks Register. The church also has a nationally recognized museum, making it one of the smallest in the country.

Area History: Jackson Ward Historic District is one of the most famous historically black neighborhoods in Richmond and throughout Virginia. It is one of the only two districts in Richmond that are National Historic Landmarks. African Americans began to enter Jackson Ward in the early 19th century, and by the 20th century, the majority of the neighborhood was occupied by blacks. It was, and still is, home to many successful black people and businesses, such as Maggie Walker, who founded the Penny Savings Bank, and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, a famous actor and dancer.

What about the site has changed?: The modern day church was renovated in 1925 by African-American architect Charles T. Russell due to the age of the building, and the many repairs that the building required. There were other renovations done such as the expansion of the sanctuary, the addition of two towers and an education wing , and the redesign of the entrance. He also renovated the building in the Gothic Revival style, to show the dignity that the church represents.

What about the surrounding area has changed?: During the 19th century, many whites began to move out of Jackson Ward because of the increasing black population in the area. Now, it is one of the most prominent black communities in the Richmond area. Many of the buildings today have been restored to compensate for their old age; however there are a few that have been abandoned and vandalized, due to it being in a city environment. Today it is the last surviving residential area in downtown Richmond. Interstate 95 also had to build around the church in order to avoid demolition of the landmark, and the church can now be seen from the highway. After the highway was built however, it created a split between the tight-knit community of Jackson Ward and destroyed many buildings in the area, resulting in many black families to leave for other black neighborhoods in the Richmond and Virginia area.

Reflection: As a member of Third Street Bethel AME, another historically black church in Richmond, it was interesting to learn about the history of Sixth Mount Zion and how the history related or differentiated from the history of my own church. It was also interesting to learn more about Jackson Ward and the history it has.

Sources:

Richardson, Selden. Built by Blacks. Edited by Maurice Duke. Richmond, VA: The Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods, 2007.

National Park Service. "Jackson Ward Historic District." National Park Service. http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/richmond/jacksonwardhd.html.

Library of Virginia. "John Jasper." Library of Virginia. http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/trailblazers/2012/?bio=jasper.

African American Registry. "The Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church of Richmond Founded." African American Registry. http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/sixth-mount-zion-baptist-church-richmond-founded

Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church. "About Us- Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church." Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church. http://www.smzbc.org/about-us.html

Authors: Vanessa Johnson