Mt. Zion Baptist Church uncovers pieces of its history in 60-year-old time capsule

A time capsule sealed inside the walls of Mt. Zion Baptist Church for more than 60 years was opened Oct. 21 as the church prepares to demolish an older wing of its building. Placed behind the building’s address placard when construction was completed in the early 1960s, the capsule was nearly forgotten until congregation members who remembered its existence alerted Rev. Marcus Allen. The community gathered to open it ahead of the demolition and the construction of the church’s planned Family Life Center. “It was emotional at first because you get to see what those who came before us did. The Black church built this church on Madison’s South Side more than 60 years ago, and seeing the work they put into it, knowing we’re about to tear it down and build something new, is powerful,” Rev. Allen said. “It inspires us to do the work needed today to take care of our community, just as they intended to do.” Mt. Zion s address placard is removed to get to the time capsule behind it.(Photo by Om