Mt. Zion-Warren United Methodist Church has a long and interesting history. Throughout our existence, we have had some strong, influential and dedicated ministers sent by God, who spent their terms of service building and strengthening our church. We are still under the leadership of such a leader who works and builds under Almighty God.

Rev. Elijah Awkward (or Awkard) was the first person recorded to have served as pastor. He is recorded in the Minutes of the Washington Annual Conference as having begun his ministry in the church in 1867. He served Mt. Zion well and died December 4, 1883 and is buried on the hill back of the Mt. Zion Cemetery, in the Awkward plot by the old road. Elijah United Methodist Church in Poolesville, formerly known as Elijah's Rest Methodist Church, was named after him. At that time there were four churches on the charge: Mt. Zion, Warren, Elijah, and St. Paul’s.

The combination church, school, and hall was originally known as the Old Meeting House. The property for this Meeting House was deeded to Philip Spencer and others (Trustees and their successors) in 1867 by James O. Trundle and his wife Annie. The deed was recorded in February 1868, and it describes the parcel as Part Lot 2-Division of real estate of William Trundle. There are three grave sites in this area: the Spencer lot, the Awkward lot, and the Mt. Zion Church lot.

After Rev. Akward's tenure, he was succeeded by Rev. E. W. Wheeler, Rev. Thomas H. Brooks, Rev. Singleton Hughes, Rev. Washington Murry, and the Rev. A. Young. These preachers of God served and preached in the Old Meeting House. This Meeting House was used to educate many throughout the community and it was used for meetings and other gatherings as well.

Six acres of land was presented to Mt. Zion Church and the property was deeded by James W. Butler and his wife Susan L. to the Pastor and Trustees of the Church. This property was deeded for the use of worship and for the building of a parsonage or residence for the preacher in charge and his successors and their families. This was recorded by Rev. Murry in January 1893.

Some of the Class Leaders that attended this church were Richard Lee (father of Noah and Dennis Lee who were born slaves), James Hallman, Thomas Johnson, Daniel Diggins, Enoch Spencer, Noah Lee (born around 1852 and lived 100 years, 6 months, 18 days), and Dennis Lee. The first baby to be baptized at the present site was Mrs. Dora Sims Fisher. The first couple married was Mr. Henry Chase Onley and Miss Mary Fisher.

Around 1885, the Rev. C.H. Arnold became the pastor of Mt. Zion. The present church was built during Rev. Arnold's tenure as pastor. Rev. Arnold married Maurice Fisher and Dora Sims and many others in the community. Rev. Arnold and his family resided in the old parsonage before it burned in 1915. Many of his children went to school in the Old Meeting House and was taught by Mrs. Rachel Miller. Rev. D.L. Washington succeeded Rev. Arnold as pastor.

Rev. Samuel Cole succeeded Rev. Washington as pastor. Rev. Cole was a hard worker and a businessman. Rev. Cole accomplished many things during his tenure as pastor. During Rev. Cole's pastorate, the District Superintendent, Rev. D.D. Turpeau, divided the four churches of our charge into two charges with two churches on each charge. Mt. Zion was paired with Warren Chapel at Martinsburg, which became Warren United Methodist Church.

After Rev. Cole's tenure, the Rev. Walter Dorsey served during the years of 1920-1923. Rev. Dorsey did many wonderful works for the church in the name of Jesus Christ. In 1924, Rev. John Roan and family came to serve in this part of the vineyard. Rev. Roan was a great preacher and teacher and worked hard with the youth and adults. In 1928, Rev. Walter Williams was sent to lead the congregations to another level in ministry. Rev. Williams served for four years, and during his tenure 2.5 acres was deeded to the Trustees of the church by the Poole, Warfield, and Mayor families.

After the departure of Rev. Williams, the Rev. John C. Norris came to serve and work with us. Rev. Norris served this part of the vineyard for five wonderful years and will be remembered well for his cane and story telling of events that happened before he came to serve. In 1937, Rev. Joseph Stemley came and remained with us for twelve years. During Rev. Stemley's leadership the church was remodeled on the inside. The bell tower and vestibule was added.

In 1949, Rev. Howard Wallace was appointed as the leader of the church. In 1952, Rev. William E. Lee came to serve the church. During Rev. Lee's tenure, Mt. Zion and Warren was thoroughly organized. The first Methodist Men's Group was formed; the first Usher's Board was formed; the first Finance Committee was formed and various other committees and commissions was formed. Rev. Lee worked hard to improve the church. In January 1959, he was called home from labor to reward. Rev. Luther Brown was appointed to lead the church after Rev. Lee's death.

In June of 1959, Rev. George Allen was called on to lead the people to the next level in ministry. Rev. Allen was dedicated and faithful during his tenure at the Barnesville Charge. Under Rev. Allen's tenure many things were done. The church was painted inside and out, floors redone, roof repaired and grounds improved. The educational portion of the church was erected in 1964. Under Rev. Allen's leadership the church became involved in many community actions. In 1972, Rev. Allen and the congregation bricked the church and added an extension to the front. Rev. Allen served for 16 years in this part of the vineyard.

In 1975, Rev. Pearlena Woolridge became the pastor of the Charge. She was instrumental in making many changes in the offices of the church. Many new positions were added and filled. The layspeakers were increased to five and some female trustees were added. The parsonage was modernized and the church received monetary donations from many people to accomplish this task.

In 1979, Rev. Odell Carr was appointed to the Charge. He and his wife worked as a team to serve the Charge (Rev. Carr's wife was also a preacher, Rev. Alice Carr). During Rev. Carr's tenure many new things were added to the church and parsonage. Various pulpit items, carpeting, lights and fans were added. Rev. Carr worked hard in the vineyard until he became ill in 1982 and he passed from labor to reward in 1983. His wife served as the pastor until the end of the Conference year.

In 1983, Rev. Homer Bullet, a retired pastor became the next pastor to lead Mt. Zion and Warren charges. During his time many changes were made to the church and parsonage. The church kitchen was renovated, handicapped ramp built, parking lot was paved, new pews were purchased, and the parsonage porch was screened in. During this time the pews were dedicated and the church celebrated 100 years of ministry. Rev. Bullet served until 1991. He died in 1992.

In 1991 the church received the Rev. Lawrence K. Bropleh as their pastor. The church grew under Rev. Bropleh and many ministries were added to the church. In 1993, Rev. Bropleh became the churches full-time pastor. Many community actions and outreach was done under the leadership of Rev. Bropleh. Many improvements were made to the parsonage and the church under Rev. Bropleh's ministry. In July 1993, the churches on the Charge voted to merge as one Church in Jesus Christ. On October 25, 1993 the church became Mt. Zion-Warren United Methodist Church. Rev. Bropleh led the congregation well during his tenure and he moved on to further his ministry in 1998.

In 1998 Rev. Joan Coates took over as pastor of Mt. Zion-Warren United Methodist Church. Rev. Coates served the church faithfully until July of 2001. Many ministries were done during her tenure. Many new members were added to the church while she was leading this congregation. In July 2001, the Rev. John Chaney became the pastor of the church. During his leadership many things were accomplished and the ministry continued to grow. Rev. Chaney served until July 2002.

On July 1, 2002, Rev. Bryan K. Fleet took over as the pastor of Mt. Zion-Warren United Methodist church. The church has begun to move to the next level in Jesus Christ and ministries are flourishing in the life of the church. We have added the Liturgical Dance Ministry, and many new ministries are forth coming. We are trying to live as a church "Where Everybody Is God's Somebody."