Yes, George Washington Actually
Did Worship Here!
Back in the days when George Washington was surveying for
Lord Fairfax, he worshipped in the log cabin (built 1740) that was the forerunner of today's Mt. Zion. As to whether
he slept here, (during service) is up for debate.
In 1814, Norborne Parish was established in the Diocese of
Norfolk (VA) to consist of two churches: Trinity, Martinsburg and Mt. Zion, Hedgesville. Vestry meetings were
held in Martinsburg, but Clerk records refer to Mt. Zion as the Mother Church, and Trinity as the Daughter Church.
In 1817, construction of Mt. Zion was begun. The first Service was
held in 1818. Thirty years later (1848), Trinity petitioned the Diocesan Council in Norfolk to divide Norborne Parish
into two parts: #1 being Mt. Zion and Calvary Church, Back Creek; #2 being Trinity, Martinsburg. The petition
was granted.
In the beginning (1818 to 1850+) income was derived in a variety of ways,
the two most substantial were Pew Rental and Subscriptions. Subscriptions appear to equate with today's pledges.
Subscriptions were a legal indebtedness posted before an attorney. In 1817,
Vestry minutes indicate a decision was made to "reserve, for the present, six of the western pews and the gallery for the
use of the poor and strangers."
Since the early 1900's, Mt. Zion has been a yoked parish. Today,
our priest serves both Mt. Zion and St. Mark's, Berkeley Springs.
In 1963, a fire in the church caused the roof to collapse, thus dumping
the glorious prism chandelier onto the pews, smashing it to smithereens. Scorches still remain on the floor near
the current organ. The current organ was purchased in 1998.
A generous endowment from Hilda Lingonfelter and Georgiana Siebert enabled
Mt. Zion to renovate the church and install air conditioning.
