Many Black churches followed suit and added Zion to their names.
I grew up near this one, landmarked just a few months ago. Centennial AME Zion Church:
(1933) http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalital/6979644925/in/photostream/
(Today) http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalital/6979644941/in/photostream/
North Jersey historic preservation efforts tend to focus on the Revolution and early Dutch era, so I am positively delighted they were able to save this gem from becoming yet another parking lot.
"The church was built in 1896 by the descendants of freed slaves and is beloved for both its history as well as its charming architecture. Historical experts say the building is significant because of its association with the 19th century African American freed slave community of Skunk Hollow, now known as Alpine, and its relationship with Bishop Alexander Walters. Walters was born a slave, became a founder of the NAACP and subsequently spoke at the church’s dedication.
The church is praised for being one of the few tangible reminders the area has left of the freed slave community that had settled in the region."
Closter church, a symbol of slave emancipation, gets historic landmark status