From the early years of meetings at the Wilson compound, to the current location built on land willed to the church by Mary Ash, a 1792 settler who worked as a washer woman, we learn about the lasting legacies of John Ellis, Anthony Elliott, JB Elliott, 'Old Rixby' Elliott, and John Frederick under whose tenure major organisations of the church were developed including the Choir, Women’s Church Aid, the Dorcas Association, Ladies Industrial Society, the Young Men’s Union, Boys Brigade, the Trustee Board and the Kindergarten Society.
Under the Wesleyan Methodists, Zion Wilberforce street was placed in a Circuit arrangement together with Maroon Church, College Chapel Rawdon Street and for a long time Spafield Church.
Sources: "The history of Zion Methodist Church, Wilberforce Street" written by the late Professor Emeritus Cecil Magbailay Fyle - extracts by Brian W. Samuels. 220th Anniversary booklet produced by the Zion 220 Committee, curated by Mr. Paju Hamilton. Readings from interviews with Zion church members, including conversations with the late Mama Mokeh Hamilton and Norman Thomas' reflections on the bicentenary celebrations of the church for an oral presentation on Chapel Sunday, 2004. Presented by Natacha Leopold. Written and Produced by Barbara Morgan. [Image: Early Zion Choir, Freetown]
[Sermon excerpt - Rev H. Samuels during the Dec 5, 2021 unveiling and dedication of the new organ // Music - Zion Methodist Church Wilberforce Street Choir (2021/22)] [Interlude- A scene from the Theatre Calgary/National Arts Centre co-production of 'da Kink in my Hair, by Writer, Director and Producer Trey Anthony] [Music: Everything Is Everything, Lauryn Hill - 1999 Ruffhouse and Columbia Records]
(00:00) Introduction
(01:37) On the history of the congregation
(03:05) Descendants introduce us to the Church's earliest Trustees
(08:10) Early Chaplains including West Indians Rev. Ralph Taylor and Rev. John Frederick and their families
(11:35) Branching out and establishment of the various Baptist and Methodist congregations
(13:54) History of the Ladies Industrial Association
(16:20) Church stewardship, building and school
(17:38) Descendant Prof. Hector Morgan reflects on his boyhood and Zion family through the years and shares excerpts from the 2004 booklet on the Church's history
(26:30) Remembering the 1992 bicentenary celebration
(27:40) Current trustee and leader Mr. Gerald Hastings-Spaine shares his story, memories and perspectives on advancing the church's legacy for the future
(36:25) Closeout
This podcast is a fully volunteered effort toward the Zion Freetown 230 initiative.
Help with mental health- https://www.massgeneral.org/psychiatry/guide-to-mental-health-resources/for-bipoc-mental-health; https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Black-African-American; https://ilpa.org.uk/members-area/working-groups/well-being-new/well-being-resource-hub/mental-health-resources-for-black-people-and-poc/