The History of Mount Zion Presbyterian Church
1850 – Early settlers in Howard Twp. & surrounding area met at homes for prayer meetings and the occasional visit from a traveling minister.
1853 – (June) Accepted a tender from Mr. McIntyre of Aldborough to build a clapboard church on land donated by Ebenezer Colby. Located on Ebenezer St. (back of present lot), the building seated 250 people and cost $1200.
1854 – Ridgetown Presbyterian Congregation was accepted into the London Free Presbyterian Presbytery. Officials were organized and Elders ordained by Rev. Wm. King of Buxton.
1854 – Mr. Charles Grant organized the Sunday School of which he was Superintendent for thirty years. He continued to teach the Infant class until his death in 1891.
1856 – The first couple married in the church were Donald and Janet (McKinlay) McLaren, joined in a ceremony performed by supply minister, Rev. A.W. Waddell.
1857 – Rev. Wm. Forest was the first minister inducted into the church.(February 15, 1857)
1860 – The first Board of Managers was appointed and collectors appointed. In 1862, ladies were appointed to collecting duties, as well.
1864 – Rev. Forest resigned to be replaced by Rev. Wm. Cavan.
1867 – The first manse, located on Erie St S., was purchased for $575.25.
1869 – Paid off the mortgage on the manse and for repairs to the church.
1875 – The lot on which the new Mount Zion church now stands was purchased for $400. from Mr. Gosnell
1878 – A building Committee was elected with Rev. Currie as Chairman and Robert Grant as Secretary.
1879 – The Ladies Aid was organized and on May 20th a cornerstone for the new building was laid.
1879 – As the committee was viewing the completed building Mr. John G. McGregor quoted from Psalm 46 – Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion on the side of the north.
1880 – The church was dedicated in January, 1880, as Mount Zion Presbyterian Church. The first trustees were appointed. Duart became a separate church with Rev. Currie as their minister.
1880 – July – There were problems with the building,
with the roof seeming too heavy for the walls. Ferguson Bros. of Thamesville, were engaged to fix it. They put iron rods through it and built the buttresses to cover them, which gave more support to the walls.
1880 – Rev. G. G. McRobbie was the first minister in Mt. Zion.
1880 – The bell developed a crack and a new one was ordered.
1881 – A Dominion pump organ was installed as their first musical instrument.
1887 – The Women’s Missionary Society was organized.
1889 – The village of Ridgetown asked for and received permission to use the bell for fire protection. Later in the year, they received permission to ring the bell on business days.
1890 – A Young Peoples Society was organized
1890 – The Mission Band, later the Children of the Church, was organized.
1897 – The “U-walk” and the walk on the east side were laid.
1899 – On June 11, a new bell was delivered; a pattern bell in the Key of F sharp weighing 1500 pounds.
1899 – The church was remodelled; outside stairways were removed and the front entrance built as it is today; a side entrance and vestry were added; beamed ceiling, present light chandeliers and sloping floor were put in.
1899 – The pipe organ (purchased from Karns Organ Co. of Woodstock) was installed at total cost of $1200. Pews, brass rail and wooden collection plates were purchased.
1906 – The steeple was badly damaged in a severe windstorm. It was taken down and the tower covered for the time being.
1908 – A young ladies group was organized; reorganized in 1925 as the Mt. Zion Young Women’s Auxiliary; became the Evening Auxiliary until its disbanding in 1995
1911 – The present communion service 
was purchased.
1916 – The tower was rebuilt. A new red brick manse was built adjacent to the south side of the old manse on Erie Street.
1917 – The choir loft was rebuilt as it is today.
1925 – A vote regarding Church Union resulted in a decision to stay by 2 votes. Blenheim became part of the Ridgetown charge and continued with us until 1960.
1926 – The Westminster Guild Society was formed at Mt. Zion and became very active in the life of Mt. Zion.
1929 – Jubilee Services were held. Dr. McRobbie and Rev. G. M. Dunn returned for the occasion.
1938 – C.G.I.T. group was formed. Over the years, three girls from Mt. Zion were chosen to represent Kent County at the Camp Council. This was a great honour.
1945 – Rev. T. Owen Hughes was called to Mt. Zion. During his service here he was elected to be Moderator of Hamilton – London Synod of the P.C.C.
1948 – The pipe organ was rebuilt; the console was moved from the back to the front of the loft and chimes added. It was dedicated to the men of Mount Zion who gave their lives and a tribute to all those who served in both World Wars.
1950 – Rev. Donald MacInnes was called to Mt Zion. Rev. MacInnes is Moderator of Hamilton-London Synod of the P.C.C.
1950 – A centennial (of the congregation) was held. At those services a granddaughter of Rev. Mr. Currie came from Edmonton and a grandniece of Rev. Wm. King who organized the congregation in 1854.
1966 – The Polyphonic Choir of Cardiff, Wales put on a concert in Mount Zion during a tour of Canada and USA.
1975 – Mt. Zion celebrated two centennials; the Presbyterian Church in Canada and the town of Ridgetown.
1976 – Rev. Mervyn Tubb resigned and Rev. Jack Neil conducted his first service on Sept. 12, 1976.
1995 – Mt. Zion W.M.S. disbanded after 108 years.
2003 – Rev. Neil resigned after 27 years.
2006 – Rev. Paul Shaw became a part time minister at Mt. Zion for 10 years.
2017 – Rev. Donald Hill was inducted into service as part time minister in January 2017.