Donate To Help Restore Historic Mount Zion PBC

Request: Help Restore Historic Mount Zion Primitive Baptist Church of the Radicue Primitive Baptist Association, Elder Kenneth Lucas, Moderator.

Mount Zion PBC members are working to raise money to restore the church. All donations will support the preservation planning, construction, and the nomination application to place the church on the National Historic Registry. Please help Mount Zion PBC church members return to their home church and preserve a cultural/historical site in Princeville, North Carolina.

Historical Background:

Mount Zion Radicue PBC was established in 1871 by Abraham Wooten in Princeville, North Carolina, circa 1885. Princeville is the first town in the United States to be chartered and independently governed by African Americans. Mount Zion was the first church built in Princeville and is the earliest architectural representation remaining. In 1896 a bust statue of Abraham Wooten was erected on the church’s exterior honoring the founder and original congregation. It is believed that this is one of the oldest statues in North Carolina honoring African Americans. Several of his descendants live in Princeville today, including Ms. Mattie Jacobs, the Mother of Mount Zion.

Mount Zion PBC has faced flooding for over a century yet remains an integral cultural, historical, and religious landmark in Princeville. In 1999 Hurricane Floyd resulted in widespread flooding across eastern North Carolina. The water reached the rooftops in Princeville. Mount Zion PBC was completely submerged by flood waters. The church was rebuilt after the 1999 flood and returned to service. That was until 2016, when Hurricane Matthew made landfall in North Carolina. This resulted in the Town of Princeville and Mount Zion PBC flooding. The flood water reached approximately 10 feet at the church. Mount Zion PBC began the restoration process following the flooding. Due to damage from the flood, the church had to remove and discard the inner wallboard up to the water market and all interior fixtures, including pews and the pulpit furnishings. Since 2016, members of Mount Zion PBC have not been able to hold service at the church.