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Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church Richmond, Virginia

 

Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church

 

Sixth Mount Zion Baptist was organized in Richmond, Virginia in September 1867 by John Jasper (1812-1901), fellow pastor Peter Randolph, and nine members. Jasper, who would go on to become one of the nation's most well known post Civil War African-American ministers, served as pastor of the church for 34 years and is remembered most for his "Sun Do Move" sermon which he later delivered by invitation more than 250 times -- including once before the Virginia General Assembly. Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church is still active and since 1869 its congregation has met at the same location in Richmond's historic Jackson Ward neighborhood.

Links to the guide to their archives that are housed as part of Special Collections and Archives' Virginia Black History Archives Project, as well as information about John Jasper and their church's history, can be accessed below. For more information about Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, including its history and current church activities, contact Benjamin Ross, their Church Historian.

  • Guide to the Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church Collection housed in Special Collections and Archives.
  • History of the Church - text written in 2005 and approved by Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church historian, Benjamin Ross.
  • John Jasper online exhibit.
    • Text of "De Sun Do Move" sermon.
    • John Jasper Memorial Room. Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church has a room dedicated to the memory of John Jasper in its church and has a large collection of materials documenting its long history. Contact Benjamin Ross, their Church Historian, for more information about their church history and the church's activities today.
  • Historical Quilt. Completed in 1997, this quilt was made by members of the Victory Club of the Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church to celebrate the church's 130th anniversary of the church.
  • The unique Architectural History of the various structures used by Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church. Includes other information about the church's history.