Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church traces its history back to the year 1827, thirty-six years before
the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. It was founded by a small group of "free Africans" as they were called
at that time, who pooled their meager resources and purchased the first piece of real estate to be owned by African
Americans within a two county area. Some in that group of "Founding Fathers" were unable to even write their names,
consequently their marks (X) are found on the original handwritten deed, that conveyed the track of land to the African
Methodist Episcopal, Mount Zion Church, located on Division Street in the town of New Brunswick, New Jersey. The date of
this transaction was October 1827.
A building was subsequently placed on that lot and this humble building became the nucleus and the center around which
the affairs of the African American community both evolved and revolved for the next 140 years.
The original building was replaced by two succeeding larger and more commodious buildings during this 140-year period.
In the year 1967, during the celebration of the 140th Anniversary of the founding of the church, a commission was set up
to make a self study of this institution and determine what was to be its plans and program for the next 140 years.
The result of this study was that the congregation had outgrown its present facility and had no more space to expand its
programs and ministries at the Division Street location.
The congregation then decided to negotiate with the City of New Brunswick to purchase a parcel of land, owned by the
Housing & Redevelopment Authority as the site for the construction of its proposed new edifice. This site was deliberately
chosen by the congregation because of its location, right in the heart of the inner city, and bounded by the U.A.W. Senior
Citizen Complex on one side, the Memorial Homes (Projects) on another side, and the Hoffman's Senior Citizens Building
directly in front of the church.
The U.A.W. complex has apartments for 213 senior citizens, the Hoffman Pavilion has apartments for 148 families, and there
were at that time 646 families with more than 300 children residing in the Memorial Homes. Our church perceived it to be
its mission to provide a wholesome, healthy and safe environment for those citizens who reside in the heart of the inner city.
Subsequently, in October 1987, during the celebration of the 160th
Anniversary of the founding of the church, the dedication of a 41,000 square
foot church and the Fellowship Hall became the centerpiece of that celebration.
March of 2001 marked the end of the illustrious ministry of our beloved
Pastor Henry Alfonso Hildebrand, the youngest from the "Tribe of Hildebrand"
who have been in God's service for generations and are known and beloved
throughout the world of African Methodism. For 37 years (a true precedent and almost unheard of in the A.M.E. Church),
Pastor Hildebrand had shepherded and nurtured Mount Zion from its humble
beginnings at the Division Street church to our palatial home here at 39
Hildebrand Way (formerly known as 39 Morris Street). A true visionary and servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, Pastor Hildebrand challenged us to develop a new paradigm and a broader vision for the future. He was the driving force behind our relocation and transformed Mount Zion church into a "community church" that has served both the religious and secular needs of the city of New Brunswick. Pastor Hildebrand earned the respect and admiration of everyone in and around the community from the various denominations and from the political offices throughout the state. Mount Zion A.M.E. Church stands as one of the flagship churches in the First Episcopal District and is one of the hosts of choice for The Annual New Jersey Conferences.
As of May, 2001, Mount Zion for the first time in 37 years has a new pastor, The Rev. Joseph A. Hooper.
A talented, energetic, and truly anointed preacher of the gospel, Pastor Hooper strives to build upon that
which our beloved Pastor Hildebrand started. With the emphasis on spiritual growth and a high reverence
for scripture, Mount Zion has seen unprecedented growth in souls saved, membership growth, Bible Study
attendance, and finances which rivals any other period in our churches history.
He has also re-energized our young base (ages 18 - 40) and is attracting that base from throughout the
tri-state area. When you come and hear him preach, you will know why!
Mount Zion is still growing, changing, and evolving into what God would have us to be - a lighthouse for all to see and be guided to. If you are looking for a church home, we encourage you to consider us and to lend your talents to assist us in becoming that lighthouse!"
