The Second Mount Zion Baptist Church, Caroline County, Virginia, was organized in 1866 in a brush arbor under the leadership of the Rev. Willliam H. Stephen.
The church had a membership of 264 members. The first deacons were: Moses Mines, Winston Bowling, Andrew Rollins, John Smith and Henry Johnson. After serving in a brush arbor for a short time they built a log church.
In 1884 Rev. James S. Minor of Spotsylvania County, Virginia, was called to serve as pastor. After serving a short time more deacons were added to the board. As time moved on the congregation outgrew the log church and in 1884 they built a frame church. After a few years of Rev. James Minor’s pastorate, the members decided to build a larger and better church. Rev. Minor passed into the Great beyond in the Spring of 1915 while still our pastor.
Rev. Deborx of Richmond, Rev. R.L. Harrison of Delos, Virginia, Rev. B. I. Davis of Spotsylvania County, and Rev. H. W. Washington of Noel, Virginia, served from 1936-1944.
Rev. Robert L. Smith of Washington, D.C. became the pastor on January 27, 1946.
Many improvements were made during his pastorate. Ministers following Rev. Smith were: Rev. Rosamond Kay, Rev. Lacy Williams, Rev. A. Johnson and Rev. Thomas W. Morris. The church grew during the pastorate of these ministers.
Rev. Ragland was installed as our twelfth pastor on May 22, 1966. He led the congregation in 1973 to erect the present brick edifice at a cost of $800,000. The church paid-off its indebtedness and burned the mortgage November 1981. The steeple and bell chimes were added in 1982 and 1983 a new Hammond Concert organ was purchased. Several music groups and organization have been established. Membership has increased by more than 700. Our church manual was published, the Bus Ministry was organized and the library was dedicated in 1989. Presently, three ministers have been licensed to preached, two of whom have been ordained by our church and are now pastoring. As the history continues to be made at Second Mount Zion, we pray that God will lead us in the future as he has in the past.
