While its roots go back to 1847, Zion itself was formed in 1870 with the union of Queen Square Presbyterian Church and the "Free" Presbyterian Church, both of Charlottetown. Choosing the name
Zion for the new congregation, they apparently used one of the aforementioned church buildings until purchasing land for a new building in 1906, dedicating their new church in 1913.
Quite a large building, Zion was built of brick with copious helpings of stone trim, with stone lintels and sills on most windows and lines of stone forming a low beltline on the long side of the building. Large arched windows have prominent stone frames, as does the main entrance with quoins running vertically for two storeys around and above the entrance.
Four separate stone beltlines run around the steeple/bell tower, which also has an interesting flat top, not a spire, with a stepped parapet running around its perimeter, stepping down twice from each corner toward the centre. Below, the belfry has more stone surrounding the low gabled vent openings, with small quoins down each side. The openings are covered with what appear to be metal slats with a vertical support of stiffener in the centre. Brick corbelling forms crosses among the decorative stone on each side of the tower.
The church continues to house a congregation which is very active in the community, sponsoring missions abroad and many programs to aid the needy, such as their annual
Spring Sale.
Zion Presbyterian Church
The congregation of Zion Presbyterian Church in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, was formed in 1870 from the union of the Queen Square Presbyterian Church and the "Free" Presbyterian Church in Charlottetown. The Queen Square congregation was formed in 1847, however, a church building was not finished until 1860. The "Free" Presbyterian Church congregation was formed in 1854, and a church constructed in 1856. When the two congregations amalgamated in 1870, the name Zion Presbyterian Church was chosen. Property was purchased in 1906 for a new church building on the corner of Prince and Grafton Streets. The new church was opened and dedicated in 1913. In 1925, the congregation voted to remain within The Presbyterian Church in Canada.
From the Ontario Archives