“For My House Shall Be Called A House Of Prayer For All The Peoples”. That’s the powerful message from Isaiah 56:7. It embodies the spirit of Zion Baptist Church.
Let’s step back to 1864. A small group of Christian believers united. They sought a place to worship God according to their conscience. Zion Baptist Church became one of the first Black congregations in Alexandria. This happened shortly after the Union Army’s occupation during the Civil War in 1861. The area was known as “Zion Hill”. It was a longtime African-American neighborhood.
Recently freed from slavery this faithful group rented a small building. It stood at the corner of Wolfe and Union Street. Reverend Gladden guided them. The first trustees included Sydney Dodson and Silas Dickerson. The first deacons included McCaggie White and Reuben Payne. Inspirational women like Sally Beckman and Betsy Watkins also helped build the church. Regular worship services took place under Reverend Gladden’s guidance.
By the end of the Civil War in April 1865 “Zion Baptist” was one of five “Baptist churches of colored people in Alexandria”. Reverend Robert Woodson served as first pastor. Later Reverend Henderson led the church until his death. The young church struggled. Then Reverend Robert Holmes took charge. In 1881 the site on which Zion Baptist Church currently stands at 714 South Lee Street was purchased.
Reverend Samuel M. Johnson completed the new church. He served as pastor for forty-three years. In 1925 he was called to the “Great Beyond”. The church established “S.M. Johnson’s Day” as an annual observance. After Reverend Johnson’s death Zion persevered. Reverend R.D. Botts became pastor in 1927. He inspired his son Professor Joseph Botts to organize a gospel choir. Professor Botts formed the “Chorale Ensemble”. It became well-known in Northern Virginia.
Under Reverend Botts’ leadership Samuel Wilbert Tucker played the piano at Zion Baptist Church. He was a renowned Civil Rights Lawyer. Reverend Botts served faithfully for thirty years until his death. Reverend William N. Thomas became pastor in November 1957. He was instrumental in the renovation of the sanctuary. Zion grew numerically and spiritually.
In 1969 Reverend Robert C. Davis became pastor. He instituted a successful “Building Fund” campaign. In 1987 Reverend John Curtis McLean was installed as pastor of Zion Baptist Church. He organized the Mass Choir of Zion Baptist Church. Reverend McLean resigned in 2004.
Reverend Dr. John Harris served as interim pastor. Then on January 2 2007 Reverend Adam Hansford served a one-year term as visiting pastor. After Reverend Hansford’s term the Deacon Board assumed leadership. In December 2009 Reverend Alphonso Fuelling became pastor.
Zion Baptist Church stands as a testament to faith resilience and community. Its history echoes with the struggles and triumphs of its members. From its humble beginnings to its present-day presence the church remains a beacon of hope.