| Repository: | Western Reserve Historical Society |
| Creator: | Mt. Zion Congregational Church |
| Title: | Mt. Zion Congregational Church Photographs |
| Dates: | 1947-2004 |
| Extent: | 0.40 linear feet (1 container) |
| Abstract: | Mt. Zion Congregational Church was founded on September 11, 1864, when nineteen men and women formally gathered in Plymouth Church on Prospect Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. The predominantly African American congregation has moved many times throughout its history, including locations downtown, in the Central and Fairfax neighborhoods, and its current location (2014) in University Circle. Mt. Zion's congregation played a significant role in the settlement of freed slaves in Cleveland after the Civil War, the founding of the Cleveland Chapter of the National Association of Colored People (NAACP), and the founding of Eliza Bryant Village. The collection consists of approximately 300 black and white and color photographs depicting church activities. |
| Picture Group | PG 598 |
| Location: | closed stacks |
| Language: | The records are in English |
Mt. Zion Congregational Church was founded on September 11, 1864 when nineteen men and women formally gathered in Plymouth Church on Prospect Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. All of the existing Congregational churches in Cleveland sent representatives to witness the founding of Mt. Zion and welcome the new church into the denomination. Mt. Zion built a small brick building for worship and meetings and installed Reverend J.H. Muse as its first pastor.
As a Congregational church that primarily catered to African Americans, the large influx of Baptists and Methodists coming into the Cleveland area from the southern United States left Mt. Zion in a precarious position until the arrival of new pastor Rev. Sterling Brown in 1885. Under Brown's leadership, the congregation grew steadily and enthusiastically. In 1888, the church building was remodeled to accommodate the growing congregation. The building was destroyed by fire in 1923, however, and the congregation moved to an former synagogue at East 55th Street and Central Avenue. In 1938, due to the conditions brought about by the Great Depression, the church moved again to a smaller location at 9014 Cedar Avenue.
The building on Cedar, never intended to be a church, was not adequate for religious purposes. When an opportunity presented itself to sell the building in 1950, the church took it and obtained temporary quarters at the Cedar branch of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). Following this move, Mt. Zion also lost its pastor and began a search for a new leader to rally the church. In June 1953, Reverend Richard T. Andrews, Jr. was chosen as the new pastor, ushering in a new era of prosperity.
In 1954, Mt. Zion purchased property and a large house on Magnolia Drive in the University Circle neighborhood with the objective of constructing both a sanctuary and a fellowship house. A bombing on the vacant property before construction began only served to increase the congregation's determination to construct the new buildings, and ground was broken in 1955. The new complex was dedicated in the fall of 1956.
Mt. Zion Congregational continued to grow and thrive at its new location. The church is still located on Magnolia Drive as of this writing, and the congregation recently celebrated its 150th Anniversary.
click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Mt. Zion Congregational Church
The Mt. Zion Congregational Church Photographs, 1947-2004 and undated, consist of approximately 300 black and white and color photographs depicting church activities.
This collection is of value to those seeking information on Mt. Zion Congregational Church, one of the oldest and most important African American churches in the Cleveland, Ohio, area. Though there are several unidentified and undated photographs, the majority of the photographs are dated and list the individual names or group name of those depicted. Of particular note are the photographs of various boards and committees, which will provide information regarding the leadership of the church. The church's rich history of music is also extensively depicted in the choir photographs. Those studying the history of religion and the African American community in Cleveland, Ohio, particularly in the University Circle neighborhood, will find this collection useful.
None.
Related MaterialThe researcher should also consult MS 5231 Mt. Zion Congregational Church Records.
Separated MaterialThe photographs contained in this collection were removed from MS 5231 Mt. Zion Congregational Church Records.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
[Container ___, Folder ___ ] PG 598 Mt. Zion Congregational Church Photographs, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio
Gifts of Mt. Zion Congregational Church in 1984 and 2005.
Processing of this collection was made possible by a gift from Gina Hamister. Processed by Jessica Marra in 2014.
Mt. Zion Congregational Church Photographs 1947-2004 undated |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Boards and committees 1950-2004 | |||||||||
| 1 | 2 | Choirs 1956-1999 | |||||||||
| 1 | 3 | Heritage House 1985-2003 | |||||||||
| 1 | 4 | Junior League 1955-2000 | |||||||||
| 1 | 5 | Sunday School 1947-1994 | |||||||||
| 1 | 6 | "The More the Merrier" Club 1947-2004 | |||||||||
| 1 | 7 | Unidentified undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 8 | Youth activities 1944-1980 | |||||||||