Two Centuries of Faith on Dumfries Road
Set along Dumfries Road in the historic town of Dumfries, Virginia, First Mount Zion Baptist Church has stood as a witness to African American perseverance and faith since 1867. What began as a gathering of devoted Christians two years after the end of slavery has grown into one of Northern Virginia's most historic congregations, now serving more than 4,300 members through over seventy ministries in a 108,000 square foot sanctuary and multi-purpose facility. On September 13, 2025, the church made history again when the congregation elected Rev. Dr. Sandra K. James as its twelfth pastor, the first woman to hold that office in the church's 158-year history. She was installed on November 22, 2025.
The church's mission is to "connect people who have a desire to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ," and its vision, "Sharing the Light: From the Promise, to Pentecost, to Points Around the World," captures both its biblical roots and its global outlook. The 2026 theme, "Generation to Generation: Growing Together - One Lord. One Church. One Future," continues that generational focus.
From a Cabin Lost to Fire to a Mortgage Burned in 2022
First Mount Zion's story is inseparable from the African American experience in post-Civil War Virginia. In 1867, a group of Christians gathered with a shared vision of establishing a place of worship and community in the Rock Hill Magisterial District of Stafford County. The Northern Virginia Baptist Association appointed Reverend Jacob Byrd of Stafford as the first pastor, and members supported him and his successors through barter because cash was scarce.
The early years were marked by struggle. In 1873, an internal dispute grew so fierce that the original log cabin was mysteriously destroyed by fire. Under court arbitration, the congregation split. Reverend Byrd and thirty parishioners reconstituted themselves as the First Mount Zion Baptist Church, distinguishing it from the sister church that retained the Mount Zion Baptist Church name. Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Grayson deeded an acre of land on August 14, 1873, and a framed building was constructed. A parcel of land was later deeded in 1925 by Mr. and Mrs. George Washington to be used solely as a cemetery.
Six additional pastors served the church through the early twentieth century, with services originally held only once a month. The congregation worshipped under brush arbors and in homes until 1942, when the United States Government acquired the land through eminent domain for what became part of Marine Corps Base Quantico. The trustees conveyed the property to the Department of Defense in 1944 for $2,025. Members joined Mount Zion Baptist Church in Joplin, Virginia (now Triangle) under a watch-care arrangement.
In 1947, Deacon Lewis Butler and other deacons re-established First Mount Zion under the leadership of Reverend Oscar Jackson, who oversaw construction of "the little white church by the side of the road" on Route 234 in Dumfries. Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Triangle hosted FMZ members during the two-year building period. Reverend Jackson served until his death on August 23, 1956, and Reverend James T. Wynne followed from 1957 to 1961.
The longest tenure before the current era began in April 1962, when Reverend Augustus T. Gaskins accepted the call. With his wife, Evelyn Gaskins, who organized the first Vacation Bible School and served as Minister of Music, membership grew past 600. As Prince William County shifted from a farm community to a Washington, DC suburb, Sunday School classes spilled into the kitchen and church office. A building program launched in 1978 produced a groundbreaking service on August 2, 1980, with Genesis Construction Company of Baltimore contracted to build the new sanctuary. The cornerstone ceremony on July 18, 1981, featured the Rio Hondo Preparatory School of Arcadia, California, the beginning of a forty-five-year faith-based relationship that continues today. Reverend Gaskins retired as Pastor Emeritus in May 1995 after thirty-three years.
Reverend Dr. Luke E. Torian was installed in June 1995. Under his leadership, membership grew from approximately 650 to well over 4,300, and the church developed more than seventy ministries. In 2022, the congregation burned the mortgage on the 2001 church facility. A crepe myrtle tree was planted on October 9, 2022, to honor the church's legacy. Dr. Torian retired on December 31, 2023, after twenty-eight and a half years of ministry.
During the 2020 pandemic, services moved online through Zoom, YouTube, and Facebook, with deacons distributing communion at the church and other locations. First Mount Zion became a community vaccination center in April 2021 and gradually reopened over the following year.
A Historic Installation: Rev. Dr. Sandra K. James
Following Dr. Torian's retirement, the church entered a sacred season of discernment. Rev. Dr. Sandra K. James, the longest-serving Assistant Pastor in the church's history (a role she held from August 2003 to April 2024), was appointed to serve as Acting Pastor. On September 13, 2025, the congregation elected her as the twelfth pastor. Official recognitions followed from Virginia's U.S. Senators, Congressman Eugene Vindman, the Town of Dumfries, the City of Tuscaloosa, Governor Abigail Spanberger, and several civic and sorority organizations.
During her installation on November 22, 2025, Rev. Dr. Alfred Jones Jr., pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Triangle, Virginia, gave the charge. Pastor James's husband, Rev. Ralph James, along with their children, Jonathan and Olivia, committed themselves to support her in ministry. Her installation is celebrated as a milestone for both the church and the wider region.
Sunday Worship: Two Services and Sunday School
Sunday worship at First Mount Zion centers on two morning services in the main sanctuary, with the 8:00 a.m. First Service followed by Sunday School for adults at 9:45 a.m. and the 11:00 a.m. Second Service. An early adult Sunday School meets at 7:00 a.m. for those who want a deeper dive before dawn. Children's Church meets at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel, mirroring the structure of the main sanctuary service to prepare children for the transition to the main service after fifth grade. Little Lambs Nursery welcomes children ages six months to three years at the same hour with an age-appropriate curriculum, games, play, reading, and scripture memorization through song.
Kids' Kingdom meets in person on the first and third Sundays at 11:00 a.m. Salvation Station, the summer version of Children's Church, runs each Sunday in July and August.
All services are streamed live on YouTube, Facebook Live, and at fmzbc.com, allowing homebound members and visitors from around the country to participate. The Deaf Ministry, Hands Sharing the Gospel, supports fellowship among Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing members through sign language interpretation and shared ministries.
Wednesday Night Around the Word
Midweek teaching resumes each September after the summer break. Praise and Worship begins at 7:30 p.m., followed by Bible Study at 8:00 p.m. Both adults and youth attend in person, with youth also able to join via Zoom. The Wednesday gathering is one of the church's oldest rhythms, dating back to the 1960s under Reverend Gaskins's pastorate.
Music and Arts: A Choir Tradition Since 1989
Music is woven into nearly every ministry at First Mount Zion. Minister Sylstea C. Sledge has led the Music and Arts Ministry since 1989, growing it into one of the most dynamic programs in the region. The Mass Choir, formed in November 1989 to unite the church's choirs, sings on the first Sunday of each month and has released recordings, toured across the country, and performed at the National Gallery of Art's "Caroling in the Rotunda" in December 2000.
Other choral and performing groups include the Women's Choir, which sings on the second Sunday; the Voices of Zion youth choir (ages thirteen to twenty-five) on the third Sunday; the Jewels children's choir on the third Sunday; the Men's Choir on the fourth Sunday; and the Unity Choir on every fifth Sunday. Each group rehearses on a regular schedule in the weeks leading up to its assigned Sunday.
Jubilation!, the teen and adult dance ministry, was formed after the 2001 Youth Conference and offers dance styles ranging from classical liturgical to hip hop. The Thunder'n Praise Step Team, with thirty-five members aged six to eighteen, brings the art of step to worship. The Drama Ministry presents Scripture-based plays and skits, and the Mime Ministry performs non-verbal ministry through body movement, sign language, and gesture. The Praise Team leads congregational singing each Sunday morning, with separate directors assigned to each Sunday of the month plus Wednesday evening Bible Study and Women's Ministry fellowships.
The Music and Arts Ministry also includes the Hands Sharing the Gospel FMZ Deaf Ministry, which celebrates Deaf Awareness Day annually on the first Saturday in November, and the church's own Gospel Recording Choir, whose CD, "Give God The Glory," is available online.
Christian Education: Discipleship from Cradle to Senior Saints
The Christian Education Department (CED), led by Rev. Dr. Tracey Dawkins-Holley, envisions "a community of servant believers; grounded in the Word of God; trained and equipped to witness to the world." Its mission is to teach God's Word, train and equip God's people for service, guide children, youth, and adults in spiritual formation, and connect with the community through outreach and evangelism.
The CED offers four structured courses: Spiritual Gifts, an eight-hour introduction to identifying and applying personal gifts; Evangelism, an eight-session training program that prepares members to join witnessing teams; Servanthood, which examines prayer, doctrine, worship, and service; and How to Study The Bible, which teaches members how to chart their own study of Scripture. Members can register through the CED Course Registration Form.
The Sunday School Ministry uses the International Uniform Lesson Series and the Urban Ministries curriculum to provide biblically grounded, age-appropriate teaching for preschoolers through mature believers. Take-home resources and devotion guides help families continue the conversation throughout the week.
Children's Ministry serves preschool through fifth grade with year-round programs, including Children's Church on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. (except fifth Sundays), Salvation Station in July and August, and Little Lambs Nursery for ages six months to three years. Vacation Bible School runs during the last week of July for children in pre-K through twelfth grade. All adults and teens working with children must complete the Volunteer Screening process, which includes background checks, code of conduct review, and training.
The Adult Education track offers the Academic Education Ministry, which provides tutoring, workshops, college visits, and an annual graduation recognition program; the Spiritual Gifts Ministry, which administers assessments and quarterly workshops; and the C.O.R.E. (Center of a Righteous Empire) Young Adult Ministry for adults roughly eighteen to forty.
Youth Ministry: Grades Six Through Twelve
Under the leadership of Youth Ministry Director Rev. Beverly Jiggetts, the Children of God Youth Ministry serves students in grades six through twelve with programs designed to enhance spiritual growth, build healthy relationships, assess spiritual giftedness, and empower youth to impact the kingdom.
Youth Bible Study "for life" meets virtually on Wednesday nights from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom. Youth First Friday, held monthly, has included Game Nights, Movie Nights, Guy Talk and Girl Talk sessions, workshops with guest speakers, and the annual Youth Prayer Dinner in December. The Youth Ministry Prayer Team lifts up requests placed in the Prayer Box in the Teen Tabernacle. The Youth Council gives students in grades six through twelve an active voice in planning and promoting ministry activities.
Other youth programs include Service Projects, Fellowship Outings, Youth Xplosion, and Youth Retreat. The Mary Elizabeth Ministry also mentors youth through service opportunities, and youth are encouraged to participate in the Academic Education Ministry, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Jewels Choir, Voices of Zion Choir, the FMZ Dance Ministries, and the Thunder'n Praise Step Team.
C.O.R.E.: Young Adults on the Road to Excellence
The C.O.R.E. (Center of a Righteous Empire) is the church's young adult ministry for those roughly eighteen to forty. Its mission is to empower young adults to serve, use their gifts, and strengthen their commitment to the church; provide a support network and safe space for fellowship; build lasting bonds; learn about God; motivate members to maintain their walk with Christ; provide purpose-driven guidance; and be a positive influence socially and spiritually.
The C.O.R.E. focuses on four areas: Service (mission trips, community outreach, leading responsive readings and prayers in worship, and Young Adult Sundays); Sessions (workshops, webinars, online chats, and conferences on issues facing young adults); Social (brunch after Sunday worship, dinners, cookouts, movies, concerts, retreats, and holiday gatherings); and Spiritual Growth (Young Adult Bible Study, a spiritual study group or book club, and growth sessions). The Ministry of LIFE meets the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. The Planning Committee meets on the fourth Thursday, and members stay connected through Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Men's, Women's, Married Couples, Singles, and Senior's Ministries
The Men's Ministry supports men in their Christian walk through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship, holding its annual Men's Conference in March and meeting the second Saturday of each month from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The Women's Ministry meets the second Saturday of each month from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. for prayer, Bible study, and fellowship, and hosts its Annual Women's Conference the second weekend in September.
The Married Couples Ministry meets the fourth Sunday of each month from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and offers monthly fellowships that build supportive relationships and resources to make good marriages better. The Single's Ministry welcomes single adults of all ages, meeting the second and fourth Sundays from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. for teaching, fellowship, worship, and workshops.
The Senior's Ministry serves those fifty-five and older with Bible Study, day trips, craft workshops, and safety and exercise activities. The group meets over lunch twice a month, on the first and third Wednesdays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Both members and non-members are welcome, and there is no cost for lunch.
Small Groups: Two Semesters, Many Connections
The Small Groups Ministry, directed by Stephanie M. Craddock, organizes two semesters of small group ministry each year, running from October through January (Fall) and February through June (Spring). July and August are off. Groups of up to fifteen people meet in homes, parks, restaurants, coffee shops, and offices, and members do not need to belong to First Mount Zion to participate.
Small groups fall into three categories: Discipleship (such as Christian Warriors, Circling God's Word, Hungry for the Word, and Kingdom Living in our Culture); Shared Interest (including Daughters of the King, Grill Master's Challenge, Movie Munch n Bunch, Generations History and Legacies, and Common Threads Sewing Group); and Support Groups (such as Celebrate Recovery, Divorce Care, Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Groups, BOD4GOD, Financial Freedom for Millennials, The Smart Stepfamily, and Caring for the Caregiver). Anyone interested in forming a new group can submit the New Interest Group Form, and those who want to lead must be members of FMZ for at least six months and complete Leader Training.
Mary Elizabeth Ministry: Walking with Teen Parents
The Mary Elizabeth Ministry (MEM) provides comprehensive programs for adolescent parents and their support systems through mentorship and peer-to-peer support. Its flagship program, New Beginnings, runs twice a year for eight to ten weeks and assigns adult mentors ("Elizabeths and Zacharias") to expecting adolescent mothers ("Marys") and fathers ("Josephs"). Sessions cover labor and delivery, breastfeeding, postpartum birth control, baby care, parental rights and Virginia laws, continuing education, and inspirational success stories. Each cycle concludes with a formal graduation and baby shower on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m.
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) sessions connect prior participants with new ones, and the Life Skills program offers follow-up support for past graduates. Ministry Beyond the Walls sends volunteers into the community to collect donations, sort supplies, and serve meals at homeless shelters. MEM accepts year-round donations of diapers, wipes, strollers, bassinets, and baby clothing.
Fit by God Fitness Center and Grain of Heaven
The Fit by God Fitness Center, directed by Lori Valkenburg, applies 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 to physical health: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?" Membership is free to FMZBC members who complete enrollment forms and abide by the rules. Members may bring up to two guests per visit, with guests completing a waiver and remaining in the gym area.
Hours run Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with additional Tuesday and Thursday evening hours from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Amenities include a full-size basketball court, indoor walking and running track, treadmills, ellipticals, step machines, bikes, weight machines, free weights, men's and women's locker rooms, steam rooms, saunas, and showers. Programs include Walk and Tone (second and fourth Wednesdays, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.), Open Pickleball, Open Basketball (Thursday nights for ages sixteen and up; Saturdays 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for all ages), and Personal Training by appointment. Walk Across the Holy Land and Footsteps of Paul are virtual walking programs that pair biblical study at thirteen New Testament destinations with five Pauline destinations.
The Grain of Heaven, the church's food services arm under Food Service Director Sherise Campbell, serves breakfast and other meals on Sundays from 6:30 to 10:00 a.m. (with extended hours until 10:30 a.m. on the first Sunday). Since outside food is not allowed in the building, Grain of Heaven supports all seventy-plus ministries with meeting and event meals. Funeral repasts include fried chicken, baked chicken, seasoned rice or macaroni and cheese, green beans, dinner roll, dessert, and drink. The kitchen also shares healthy recipes, hydration tips, and cooking videos throughout the year.
Additional Ministries: Hands and Hearts at Work
Beyond the major ministry departments, First Mount Zion runs a network of additional ministries and committees. The Pastor's Aide Ministry supports the Pastor physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Journey to Joy (Grief and Support) provides emotional and spiritual care for those who have lost loved ones. The Audio Visual Ministry supports worship with quality sound and video. The Flower Ministry arranges sanctuary flowers and deliveries for sick, shut-in, and bereaved members. The Greeters Ministry welcomes guests and directs them to classes and the sanctuary.
The Transportation Ministry offers rides to and from church for those who need them. The Money Smart Ministry teaches personal financial principles through a biblical lens. The Parking Ministry oversees safe and secure parking. The Security Ministry maintains a safe worship environment. SHARE connects members and the wider community to affordable monthly food supplements. The Ushers Ministry serves at the doors of the sanctuary at every service. The Health Ministry integrates faith and health through screenings, advocacy, counseling, and bereavement care. Proverbs Place Child Care & Learning Center provides early childhood education for the broader community.
The Juvenile Detention Ministry sends trained adult servants to the Prince William County Juvenile Detention Home each Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. for Bible study and discussion, and on the second Saturday of each month for recreation and games. Over the years, the church has sponsored the Feed My Starving Children program for three consecutive years, preparing over 200,000 meals annually for Haitian children; provided on-the-ground relief after the 2010 Haitian earthquake; served as a host site and distribution center for SHARE groceries; organized youth mission trips to Nassau, Montego Bay, and Tucson; offered food and shelter to Prince William County victims of the 2012 Tropical Storm Lee; and implemented an intramural basketball league for high school boys.
Getting Connected
The Zone Ministry serves as the primary instrument for ensuring that members are connected and their efforts are channeled for Kingdom building, with deacons and deaconesses extending pastoral care into residential sub-communities called zones. The Servant Resource Center, open after the 8:00 and 11:00 a.m. services on the second, third, and fourth Sundays and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., helps members sign up for service opportunities and register for CED courses. Baby dedications may take place any Sunday at the 11:00 a.m. service except the first Sunday. Baptisms occur every Sunday at the 11:00 a.m. service except the first Sunday, which is reserved for Communion, and are by appointment. Giving is available online.
First Mount Zion Baptist Church is located at 16622 Dumfries Road, Dumfries, Virginia 22025-1920, with the main phone line at 703-670-0184 and the Fit by God Fitness Center at 703-670-0225. The church office is open during the week to assist with member care, benevolence applications, lost and found, and membership number requests.