A Beacon of Light

By Reverend Tracey B. Lyons

Mt. Zion United Methodist Church has been a beacon of light in the Leesburg Community for 155 years. It is the oldest continuing African American United Methodist church in Virginia. It has its roots in the Old Stone Church in Leesburg, Virginia established in 1766. 

The Old Stone Church was a Caucasian Methodist church where Blacks attended services but were not certified as members until 1789. The church split before the Civil War because of slavery disputes, and the Southern Methodists began holding their services in the church’s courtyard. 

After the Civil War, because of slavery disputes, Blacks decided to establish their own church under the leadership of Rev. Robey. The Trustees of the church and Rev. Robey raised money to purchase the land on 12 North St for two-hundred and fifty dollars. An additional two-hundred and fifty dollars was given by the Washington Annual Conference. In 1867, Mt Zion was established as a church.¹

Since its establishment, Mt. Zion has been indispensable to Loudoun County and the Leesburg Community. It supports the needy through monetary gifts and food supplies given to area food banks. At the onset of the pandemic, Rosemary Moten, a member of the church, and her committee visited area homes carrying food to elderly persons who had difficulty getting food due to Covid restrictions. 

This past year the church partnered with other churches to support a young Afghanistan couple who had been displaced during the conflict in their country and came to America with just their clothes. This young couple was also pregnant and expecting their first child. Together we were able to provide a place for them to stay, furnish their apartment with donations from the members, and supply needed transportation for job interviews and doctor’s appointments. 

In addition, each month, we would supply them with the necessary food, rent, and clothing. The members even helped provide for the infant’s needs after birth. Finally, a year has passed, and they can live independently. This family was from another faith, and they needed our help. 

In the United Methodist denomination, we believe that everyone is created in the image of God. And the Biblical scripture it says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34 NIV) So, like God, we should love and care for anyone in need if we have the means to do so.  

My name is Reverend Tracey B. Lyons, and I am the Lead Pastor of three African American churches in the Loudoun County area with Mt. Zion UMC Leesburg being the oldest congregation. In February, with the support of these congregations, I completed interviews and papers to become an Elder in the United Methodist Church, one of a few African American female Elders in the Virginia Conference. I was appointed here in 2017; this was my first appointment. 

My vision for ministry is to love God with both words and deeds, to teach others of God’s love for them, and to compel persons to extend God’s love to others. Mt. Zion has demonstrated that belief. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, said it best, “ Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.”²

1 Church History | Mt. Zion United Methodist Church – Leesburg (mtzionunitedmethodistchurchleesburg.org)

2 https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-author/john-wesley-quotes