Mount Zion Old School Baptist Church, Protestant church in Gilberts Corner, Loudoun County, Virginia.
Mount Zion Old School Baptist Church is a protestant chapel located in Gilberts Corner, Loudoun County, Virginia. The rectangular brick structure measures about 46 feet by 36 feet, sits atop a stone foundation, and features a simple gable roof typical of 19th-century rural churches.
The church was constructed in 1851 and served multiple purposes during the Civil War, functioning as both a hospital and a military prison. Union and Confederate forces occupied the building at different times during the conflict.
The cemetery holds over 200 graves with a separate section for African American burials, showing how communities were divided by race in the 1800s. Walking through the grounds reveals the social structures of that era written into the earth.
The property is maintained by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and opens on the fourth Sunday of each month, except during winter. Since special events may interrupt regular visits, it is wise to check ahead before planning a trip.
The property preserves a section of the original Carolina Road, a trade route that once connected the region. This location also marks where California soldiers engaged in their only Civil War battle.
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