Mount Zion
Welcome to our church. We hope you will enjoy looking round our special place of worship and feel the warmth of God’s presence and peace as you linger within.
This church, originally named West Hook Chapel, was built in 1852 with stones from a local quarry overlooking the river. The villagers quarried the stones themselves and farmers from Hook and Freystrop transported them by horse and cart to the site, which was a gift from Sir Owen Scourfield, who was described as the Squire of Burton.
Hook was a community of miners, farmers and fishermen whose courage, faith and determination helped to build the Chapel, which became a Sister-Church of Middle Hill Chapel.
An original collection box from 1850 can be found displayed on the piano at the front right-hand side of the building.
In 1900 the entrance to the church was altered and in 1912 a wall and railings were erected around the outside perimeter. The brick pillar jambs were paid for by the church members who bought ‘penny bricks’ (1d) as a contribution to the overall cost.
Extensive renovations were made to the building in 1926 and this was also the year the name was changed to Mount Zion.
A vestry was added in 1930.
After the end of the Second World War, a Remembrance Plaque was mounted on the front wall of the church, alongside the pulpit stairs, to commemorate the men from the village who lost their lives in the Two World Wars.
The wooden Christening Font displayed on the table was donated to the church in memory of Bandsman J. James, trumpeter, from the Bandmaster and members of Hook Silver Band.
During the Centenary celebrations of 1952 an electric organ was bought and a special dedication service was held. The front choir pews were removed to accommodate it, and the organ is still used today for every service.
Various items of the church furniture were bought and dedicated in memory of past Deacons, Elders and members of Mount Zion.
In 1971 the members decided to join the United Reformed Church and leave the Congregational Union of Churches. Middle Hill Chapel decided to stay, thus ending nearly 120 years of sisterhood.
In 1984 a new Sunday school hall was built to accommodate the growing number of children and young people attending Sunday school and various weekly meetings. An extension was added in 1987.
To celebrate 150 years of worship at Mount Zion, the children of the Sunday school designed and made two ceramic plaques in 2002. These can be seen displayed on either side of the inner main church building. One tells the story of the life of Jesus and the second depicts the story of Noah and the Great Flood.
A selection of framed photographs can be viewed in the vestry. These give an insight of past Ministers, Deacons and Elders of the church and special visiting speakers and celebrations enjoyed during our history.
Mount Zion continues to be an active fellowship with morning Sunday school and evening preaching services every Sunday, Woman’s Guild every other Wednesday and Roots and Shoots Bible and prayer group every other Tuesday. During term time the Sunday school hall is used for Puffins Playgroup every morning except for Friday.
Between April and November every year a mini-market and coffee morning is held on a Friday from 9.45-11.00am. We hope you will be able to visit us for a coffee break during your visit to our church.
What is going on in our church?
A preaching service is held here every Sunday evening at 6.00pm. Our minister is Rev. Colin Foreman and if he is preaching at one of the other churches in our pastorate, we have a visiting minister to take our service.
On Sunday mornings the children meet in the Sunday school hall at 11.00am for Sunday school.
On alternate Wednesdays, Ladies Fellowship meets in the church at 7.30pm there is always a guest speaker from all walks of life.
Every alternate Tuesday at 7.30pm in the Sunday school hall ‘Roots and Shoots’ meet for a very lively scripture study.
From the first Friday after Good Friday to the end of November, we hold a Mini-market and Coffee Morning again in the Sunday school hall, a chance to meet with friends over a cuppa. Home-grown produce is on sale and although it starts at 10.00am you have to be there early otherwise you’ll miss the best of those wonderful homemade cakes!!!
Puffins Pre-school is held in the Sunday school hall, Monday to Thursday 9.15 – 11.45am during term time. Puffins are Quality Assured and Estyn inspected.
Tadpoles Toddlers meet every Monday 1.00 – 3.00pm also during term time.
Throughout the year we hold various special services, celebrations and functions, there is something for everyone and our doors are open to all of you. So please come and join us, you will be very welcome.