1781: The first section-a memorial to Francis Asbury showing a Bible at the top. Born in England in 1745, in the year 1781 at age 36 and the first Methodist Episcopal Bishop, it is recorded he visited Philip and Mary Mason Tabb of 'Toddsbury', a 3,000-acre plantation on the North River which, at that time, included this Activity (Hill).

1785: The second section-a memorial to Mary Mason Tabb. At the top is a crown with a cross through it. Mary Mason befriended Bishop Asbury when he came down from the North on his Circuit Rides and gave him lodging in her home. Being a Godly woman, she gave this Hill and its first Methodist 'Meetinghouse' built in 1785. This building was two stories with a galley for the slaves. A hitching porch extending the entire southwest side.

1790 to early 1800s: The third section-a memorial to Revs. William McKendree, Stith Meade, and Leroy Cole. At the top of this section is the descending dove, symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Surely the Holy Spirit descended with mighty power during the ministry of these three outstanding local Methodist preachers. These may have been Mt. Zion's brightest ays. From Bennett's Memorials we read, "signs of revival began which enveloped Gloucester and Matthews Counties. These indications increased in numbers and importance until on *Whitsunday 1797 at Mt. Zion, a chapel erected by Mrs. Mary Mason Tabb, a lady of wealth and refinement, the friend of Asbury and a mother in Israel, a most extraordinary work broke out. "While I was preaching," says Stith Meade, "my own soul being overwhelmed by a supernatural power, an awful trembling shook the place throughout the congregation. The revival began instantaneously. The slain of the Lord fell on every side. The wail of the pentitent, mingling with the shout of the convert and the songs of the children of God, made music such as angels delight to hear. For more than a week the people crowded into this place in vast numbers. The word preached every day was immediately attended by the power of the Holy Ghost. The flame kindled here spread through the circuit like fire in dry stubble. Eager multitudes thronged to the meetinghouses." Stith Meade continues, "Meetings were often kept up the whole night and in the daytime, hardly ever closed under five or six hours. The work of the revival went on in the mansions of the rich, cottages of the poor, and even in the cabins of the slaves." More than 500 were added to the Gloucester circuit during the year McKendree later became bishop.

*Whitsunday commerates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.

Apr. 15 1800 Wed.: From Bishop Asbury's Journal: Quote... "at Mt. Zion, Jesse Lee came in before us and had begun to preach; I had a headache and fever, so said but little." He then visited the Tabb plantation.

1810: Financial records for Mt. Zion are recorded by the Annual Conference since 1810.

1817: Quarterly Conference held at Mt. Zion on June 21st.

1816 to 1845: From 'Sketches of the Virginia Conference' we learn of John Wesley Howard. There were many Methodist preachers from this Howard family. Besides his Uncle Thomas (at the time of his death a Presiding Elder in Virginia Conference) and Father, James W. (a local preacher), John had two brothers who were local preachers on the Gloucester Circuit. He grew up in Mt. Zion where he says "we had Sabbath School for many years." Here he became a class teacher. In the year 1845 he was ordained to preach and joined the Norfolk Conference. In his book "From Saddle to City," Rev. Butts states that the Howards are buried at Mt. Zion.

1845 to 1894: Mt. Zion continued as an active and vital church as shown by the Conference Journals through the ministry of Revs. Joseph E. and J.E. Potts in 1894.

1898: However, four years later, in 1898, Rev. D. G. C. Butts who was appointed the Gloucester Circuit, found Mt. Zion 'Meetinghouse' no longer in use. Before he was 21, Rev. Butts had served at Mt. Zion as a junior preacher under Rev. E. M. Peterson. Rev. Butts reviewed Bishop Asbury's Journal and found 'Mt. Zion Meetinghouse' in which 'the great awakening' in Gloucester began 100 years ago. Hundreds had passed this way, the main thoroughfare between Gloucester and Matthews, but had never seen the old church on the Hill. Rev. Butts found the property owner, unraveled the legal kinks, and held a re-opening service before he left the charge.

1907: A few years later, during the pastorate of Rev. J.E. DeShazo, the original 2 story 'Meetinghouse' grieved Rev. Butts. Quote... "it would have stood 100 years and more as a memorial to the zeal of McKendree, Meade, and Cole."

1910 to 1962: During the period 1910-1940 Mt. Zion's membership averaged 98 to 100. But, as the older members passed on and the younger folks moved to other areas, membership decreased to 40 by the year 1962. Also, in 1957, Mt. Zion (down to 44 members) and Singleton (110 members) became a separate charge. During these lean years the church continued the Lord's work aided by an active Woman's Missionary Society organized in 1936. Two members worthy of mention who served Mt. Zion 50 years during these lean years are Mr. and Mrs. J. Lloyd Clements, who first came to this church in 1922 and labored until their deaths in 1967 and 1972. In addition to raising six children in Mt. Zion, Mr. Clements cut the hill with team and sickle mower, was recording secretary, and during the depression years provided his school bus for transportation for some members. Mrs. Clements was treasurer, taught a Sunday School Class, was president of Woman's Missionary Society, and took her monthly turn cleaning the church. She sang solos (A cappella) at Easter, Woman's Missionary Society meetings, and other occasions-oldies such as 'Light in the Tomb,' 'Come Angel Band,' 'Deliverance Will Come,' and 'Little Is Much When God Is In It.' This couple also provided their home for oyster suppers and lawn parties to meet the church's financial needs, as well as fellowship.

1962: Now down to 40 members, Mt. Zion borrowed from the Bank of Gloucester and, together with Singleton, built a parsonage at Schley. (Mt. Zion 1/3 and Singleton 2/3). Thanks to the sacrifice of our members, this debt was paid off in 4 years; 10 years later sold out to Singleton.

1974: Then 42 members borrowed from the Bank of Gloucester and with the knowledge and labor of members and friends, refurbished the Sanctuary and added Sunday School classrooms and a basement. This loan was paid off in 10 years. The corner stone was given by Richard Bridges. On land given by Wm. Stephen Field II, a new road was constructed on the North side of the Hill.

1981: Mt. Zion and Locust Grove became the Gloucester-Matthews Charge and by June 1982 had built a 2-story, debt-free parsonage valued at $84,000, ownership 50/50.

1982 to 1985: Under the leadership of a young outstanding minister, Rev. Kenneth W. Newsome, Mt. Zion now has climbed to 80+ members, has an active youth group of 16 members, and an active Woman's Prayer Group of 11 members. Cindy, Rev. Newsome's lovely, dedicated wife, led a very successful Vacation Bible School in June 1984 (attendance 50). She also teaches the Beginners' Sunday School and expects to become a teacher in the local public school system in the Fall of 1985.

Please look up if you are passing on the highway below Mt. Zion at night- during Lent, you will witness a large shadow of the Cross; at Christmas, a large shadow of the Star. If you visit us at Christmas, you will rejoice in the 'Hanging of The Greens'.