Mount Zion Kicks Off 200th Anniversary Celebrations

As part of its 200th anniversary celebration, Mount Zion United Methodist Church, one of Georgetown’s historic black churches, held a march to Mount Zion Cemetery, next to Rock Creek Park, Oct. 18. The symbolic walk began at the “Mother Church,” Dumbarton United Methodist Church. Led by Pastor Johnsie Cogman, marchers gathered at the old cemetery for an African libation ceremony, an ancient ritual of pouring water, to honor their ancestors. The cemetery opened in 1808; interments stopped in 1950. Today, it awaits restoration work by the church and other community groups.