Johnsontown Church Preservation
PRESERVING A LEGACY THROUGH HISTORIC CHURCH PRESERVATION.
HONORING THE JOHNSTONTOWN COMMUNITY AND MOUNT ZION FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
ABOUT OUR MISSION
Who We Are
The Mount Zion Freewill Baptist Church Preservation Foundation is committed to historic church preservation and to honoring the sacred legacy of Mount Zion Freewill Baptist Church, affectionately known to generations of the Johnsontown community as Johnsontown Church. This historic church, with its accompanying cemetery, has served as the spiritual and communal heart of Johnsontown since its construction in 1898. Over 125 years later, it remains an active place of worship, continuing to serve the congregation and the community that has gathered there throughout the years.
In March 2018, Mount Zion Freewill Baptist Church was officially designated a Jefferson County Historic Landmark, highlighting its exceptional significance to the history of Jefferson County, West Virginia, and the larger narrative of African American freedom, faith, and community in America. This important designation affirms the church's status as a structure worthy of public investment for its preservation and protection.
Raising funds and awareness
The Foundation was established to raise funds from the public, government sources, private foundations, and corporate donors to support the physical restoration and preservation of the Mount Zion Freewill Baptist Church, alongside its historic cemetery. This effort also aims to enhance the broader historic church preservation initiatives within the Johnsontown community and its historic properties.
Building and preparing our Foundation
The Foundation was established to raise funds from the public, government sources, private foundations, and corporate donors to support the physical restoration and preservation of the Mount Zion Freewill Baptist Church, alongside its historic cemetery. This effort also aims to enhance the broader historic church preservation initiatives within the Johnsontown community and its historic properties.
How You Can Help
The Foundation was established to raise funds from the public, government sources, private foundations, and corporate donors to support the physical restoration and preservation of the Mount Zion Freewill Baptist Church, alongside its historic cemetery. This effort also aims to enhance the broader historic church preservation initiatives within the Johnsontown community and its historic properties.
gallery of johnsontown church preservation initiatives
PRESERVATION INITIATIVES
Collaborative Partnerships
We established a collaborative partnership with the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission, working closely with their team to document, preserve, and honor the history of the Mount Zion Freewill Baptist Church, its cemetery, and the founding Johnsontown community.
Electrical Repairs
The Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission funded essential electrical repairs at Mount Zion Freewill Baptist Church, including new wiring, lighting, and panel upgrades, as well as a new Potomac Edison utility pole. This important work, carried out with meticulous care, underscores the commitment to historic church preservation while also serving the needs of the Johnsontown community.
Discovering Unmarked Graves
A ground-penetrating radar survey of the Mount Zion cemetery, sponsored by the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission, uncovered seven unmarked graves. This significant discovery further reinforced our Foundation's commitment to the historic church preservation efforts in the Johnsontown community, ensuring that every individual laid to rest at the Mount Zion Freewill Baptist Church is honored.