The historic 1851 Mt. Zion Baptist Church, sitting alongside Rt. 50 east of Gilbert’s Corner, will open its doors to the public on the 4th Sundays of the month beginning on April 26th, from 1p.m. to 5p.m. It will be open each fourth Sunday of the month through October.
Used as a place of worship by members of the Old School Baptists from 1851 until 1980, Mt. Zion Church and its adjoining cemetery witnessed fighting during the Civil War, but also served in the aftermath of battle as a hospital for the wounded and as a final resting place for some who fought in the war. It’s also known as the first, and frequent, meeting site of Confederate guerilla fighter John Singleton Mosby and his Rangers, and saw intermittent use as a barracks and prison during the war.
As in past years, the 4th Sunday programs will highlight the Civil War history of the church, but visitors will also hear of its early beginnings as a place of worship in the Aldie community. Local historian Wynne Saffer will share the church’s history, as well as that of the adjacent cemetery. Volunteer Jim Cromer will be on hand to interpret the use of the site as a field hospital after the cavalry battles of Aldie, Middleburg and Upperville in June of 1863, and historic graffiti found on sections of the interior walls will be on view. According to Site Manager Tracy J. Gillespie, “Mt. Zion is one of several sites where soldiers from both North and South spent time, recuperating from wounds or illness. Perhaps as a way to say ‘I was here and I mattered,’ they sometimes signed their names and regiment affiliation on the walls.” Mt. Zion is one of five sites featured on the Northern Virginia Civil War Graffiti Trail.
Admission to the fourth Sunday programs & tours is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.
For more information, contact Tracy J. Gillespie at [email protected] or call her at Aldie Mill Historic Park, 703-327-9777. Mt. Zion Historic Park is owned and operated by NOVA Parks. For more information, visit www.NOVAParks.com.
Recent Stories
DOSWELL, Va. – Kings Dominion is hitting the big 5-0 this Saturday, May 3, and the park is throwing a day-long celebration to mark the milestone.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Broadway actor and Fredericksburg native Tug Coker is stepping into one of the most iconic roles in American theater—Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird—as he makes his hometown stage debut at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts.
STAFFORD, Va. – The Class of 2025 is stepping into their future with confidence and pride. Today we celebrate all the paths ahead—college, military, and career.
MANASSAS, Va. – About 270 homes in Manassas are without electricity as city crews work to fix a faulty underground electric cable.
Empower Your Future: Leadership, Mentorship, Education, and Networking — Calling middle and high school students for FREE Educational Summer Programming!
LLT STEMpower Camp at Marymount University
Middle School Students | Two Sessions:
July 7–11, 2025
Inspired by local physicians who were among the nation’s first to adopt the concierge medicine model, Northern Virginia is now a hub for its surging popularity. These leading physicians are redefining the patient experience with same-day appointments, direct availability, unhurried visits, and deeply personalized care:
After almost 40 years in practice, Manassas-based Internist John Cary, MD’s change to concierge medicine enabled focused attention for each individual, and the launch of his innovative diet program for those with type 2 diabetes. “The goal is to promote enough weight loss to reach an acceptable A1C of 6% with no medication,” he explains. “Achieving that can take several months of very close follow up. As I tell my patients, we are in this together.”
Jay Tyroler, MD considers his patients quite literally as family. “I believe there’s nothing more honorable than helping patients when they’re sick, or scared, or feeling vulnerable, and I care for them exactly as I would my loved ones.” Whether for a specialist referral, urgent health issue or ongoing follow up, “My patients know I’m always just a phone call away.”
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
