Zion Episcopal Church

Did Wynant Van Zandt foresee the legacy he would create when he donated land for Zion Episcopal Church in 1829? Here we stand, before Zion Episcopal Church in Douglaston, Queens, a testament to community and resilience. Zion Episcopal Church isn’t just a building. It’s a story etched in stone and stained glass, echoing with the voices of generations past. This church, perched atop a hill overlooking Douglaston and Little Neck, has witnessed the ebb and flow of history since its doors first opened in 1830. The original structure, sadly, fell victim to a devastating fire in 1924. But from the ashes rose a new Zion Episcopal Church, ready for Christmas service just a year later. Designed by Aubrey B. Grantham, the present building, along with the rectory and grounds, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, part of the Douglaston Hill Historic District. Zion Episcopal Church has always been more than just a place of worship. In the late 1860s, it became an unlikely hiding place for the loot of a bandit gang led by Jefferson Knight. Ironically, Knight had once been a coachman for the church’s rector. The church’s history also includes notable figures like Bloodgood Cutter and the family of Thomas Merton. While Merton later converted to Catholicism, his father served as the organist at Zion Episcopal Church, a fact he noted in his autobiography, *The Seven Storey Mountain*. Zion Episcopal Church has always been deeply intertwined with the community. The annual Strawberry Festival, a tradition since 1830, exemplifies this connection. It serves as both a fundraiser and an outreach event, bringing the community together. Another beloved tradition is the annual St. Francis Blessing of the Animals service held each October, a heartwarming event for parishioners and non-parishioners alike. Zion Episcopal Church also opens its doors to various community groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous, the Douglaston Community Theater, and the Great Commission Church of New York, a Korean congregation. The grounds of Zion Episcopal Church hold a poignant piece of history. During the widening of Northern Boulevard in the 1930s, graves of Matinecoc Indians were disturbed. Their remains were reinterred in the churchyard in 1931 beneath a monument inscribed, “Here rest the last of the Matinecoc.” Among the many stories whispered through the churchyard, one stands out. Sergeant John H. Starkins, a Civil War veteran and recipient of the U.S. Medal of Honor, rests here. His bravery at Campbell Station, Tennessee, in 1863 earned him this distinction. Even the silver screen has found its way to Zion Episcopal Church. The church served as a filming location for the movie *First Reformed*, starring Ethan Hawke. As you leave Zion Episcopal Church, remember its mission statement. It declares itself “inclusive not exclusive,” a place that “calls everyone to follow Christ.” The church strives to respect each other, ensuring there are “no second-class members.” Zion Episcopal Church continues to embrace its rich history while looking towards the future, a beacon of faith and community in the heart of Queens.