ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A group in Mount Dora is working to save a piece of the city's African-American history: Mount Zion Baptist Church, whose original structure was built in 1896.
The church is located in unincorporated Orange County, just south of the Lake County line.
Termites have invaded the pews and the floor, which has become unsteady.
The church is deteriorating, and supporters are working around the clock to save it.
The tiny, abandoned Mount Zion Baptist church is tucked among the trees on Old 441 and is struggling to survive.
“I have always dreamed that someone would come along and help to keep it going,” said member Beaulah Babbs.
Babbs, 80, owns the church, which was a pillar in Mount Dora's African-American community for generations.
“When I walk in here, I can still see my mother and my father, who was so dedicated to this place,” she said.
The church was burned down and rebuilt in 1926, and has moved three times.
Babbs said it’s difficult to see the decay down every aisle, including squirrel nests in the hymnal racks.
Vandals pilfered the rest of the church, recently stealing the kerosene chandelier, seen in an undated picture.
“It'd been there 80 years and now that's gone,” Babbs said.
David Cohea wants to help. The county doesn't have a historical commission and defers to the state.
“Before we could make any decisions on what could happen, it needs to be at least secured. So we got a door on, we put locks on, we boarded up windows,” said Cohea.
Another resident with experience in restoration is also helping out.
“This should be used as a church or community facility and not allowed to disappear,” said resident David Macmillan.
A community workday is planned for Saturday to help preserve history.
“My dream is for it to be restored and used for a good purpose, and for the spirit that I grew up with here to be in here again,” Babbs said.
The supporters’ goal is get the church listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
If you'd like to help at Mt. Zion's community work day Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m, email to savemtzionchurch@gmail.com.
Just let organizers know what you can do and when you plan to come out.
You can see photos of the historic church below:
Cox Media Group
