Historic Black Church to Lead March to Cemetery

As part of its 200th anniversary celebration, Mount Zion United Methodist Church, one of Georgetown’s historic black churches, will lead a march to Mount Zion Cemetery, next to Rock Creek Park, this Sunday, Oct. 18.

Marchers will gather for a libation service, an ancient ritual of pouring water, to honor their ancestors. The cemetery opened in 1808; interments stopped in 1950. Today, it awaits restoration work by the church and other community groups.

The day will begin at Georgetown Dumbarton Methodist at 3133 Dumbarton St. NW. There, pastors and Revs. Mary Kay Totty (Dumbarton Methodist) and Johnsie Cogman (Mt. Zion Methodist) will begin a dialogue and start the march along Dumbarton Street to Mount Zion United Methodist Church at 1334 29th St. NW. A “worship experience” will be at 11 a.m., Cogman told The Georgetowner. There will a press conference at 12:15 p.m. Drummers and singers will commence the march to the cemetery at 27th and Q Streets at 12:30 p.m. After the libation service, marchers will return to the 29th Street church for refreshments and conversation—popcorn included.

Please see The Georgetowner’s cover story about Mount Zion Cemetery.