Zion

Zion, the Musical, was a play commissioned by Theater in the Square, and first performed in Marietta describing a time near the end of  the Civil War.  It was decided that 88 former slaves, who had attended their masters' First Baptist Church of Marietta, should receive a piece of property nearby and be encouraged to start their own church.   

I want to avoid citing pieces of history without any historical "fact-check".   What I do know is that the story and music of this play was moving, memorable and harmonious, and still carries a message today to people representing a wide range of cultures.

Zion, the original church structure built in 1888, stands just off the Square, housing the "Old Zion Heritage Museum" with stories of the significant contribution local African-Americans made to the history of Marietta.  Zion Baptist Church stands nearby, still influencing the spiritual, civic and social growth and development of the community it serves.

This month, it seems a fitting time to respectfully revisit this reality. 

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