First Zion Rehab

Our Vision: First Zion Community Center

Events | Meetings | Exhibits | Cultural Heritage

In 2016, the Harpers Ferry – Bolivar Historic Town Foundation purchased the historic building used for many generations by First Zion Baptist Church at 1030 West Ridge Street. The Foundation’s first priority was to save and preserve this community landmark for Harpers Ferry and Bolivar so we could honor its important role in the African American heritage of our towns.  Visit our blog entry to learn more about the history of First Zion.

The First Zion Baptist Church building stands as a monument to the thriving African American community that once populated our towns.

In 2021 the Foundation Board of Directors finally accumulated enough support through grants and donations to replace the roof and guttering–the most vital first steps.

Since then, the Foundation Board has chipped away at smaller rehabilitation projects as we obtained funding. In July 2023, The Mills Group LLL selected our project as one of four in West Virginia to receive pro-bono conceptual architectural services. A $100,000 grant from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund enabled completion of Phase 1 of our goals: restoration of the building’s exterior—windows, brick masonry and foundation stones, slate shingles, and wood doors—which was finished in spring 2026. (See list of accomplishments here.)

Now that the Foundation Board has made this giant leap forward in preserving and restoring the exterior, we are moving ahead on interior work to rehabilitate the building into community and performing arts center to serve the Harpers Ferry – Bolivar community. A community charrette was held May 15, 2024, and the feedback we received is being incorporated into the Foundation’s planning.

Phase 2 will see renovation of the ground level interior, to add restrooms, a catering kitchen, and small meeting space. This will open up new opportunities for public use of the building and grounds while we move on to Phase 3, the main meeting and performance hall upstairs.

Fundraising is ongoing, as the list of projects to complete the rehabilitation is lengthy. We invite you to join us in saving this monument to Black history in our community.