By Robert Chappell – Madison 365 –
Mt. Zion Baptist Church began in 1911 above a harness shop on East Washington Avenue, organized as a mission by a handful of pastors from Chicago and Milwaukee. The rent was $10 a month. A minister traveled from Chicago to preach on Sundays for $10 plus room and board.
Next month, the South Madison congregation, now the second-oldest and largest predominantly Black church in Madison, will celebrate 115 years with a month of themed Sunday worship services, a new building design reveal, and a grand community worship service to close it out.