Zion Episcopal Church was founded in Rome, New York, in 1825 as a mission of Trinity Episcopal Church in New York City. At that time, all of New York State was one diocese and the bishop, who was also rector of Trinity Church, was The Rt. Rev. John Henry Hobart, a great Anglo-Catholic bishop who brought the Episcopal Church into the modern world and who is now remembered on the Church's calendar on September 12.
Rome, NY is the place the Erie canal began, one crew digging east and one digging west, and 1825 was the year the canal opened for business. Shortly after the canal opened, Bishop Hobart visited Zion Church via the canal.
For 200 years…
Making a joyful noise.
The present organ, the church's fifth, is a tracker organ from the Noack Organ Works of Georgetown, Massachusetts, built in 1976 as part of the renovations in honor of the 150th anniversary of Zion. Treasured by generations of Zion musicians and choir members, this unique instrument continues to ring out on Sunday mornings.
A building from the past, building our future.
The present church building, with its distinctive bell tower, was constructed in 1850 under The Rev. Henry B. Whipple, Ph.D., LLD, the first rector of Zion Church who served from 1849 to 1857. A famous missionary, Whipple would later become the first Bishop of Minnesota.
In the 175+ years since it was built, Zion’s sanctuary has continued to encourage and support the spiritual lives of the evolving congregation that has met here ever since it was constructed. Its neo-gothic style was designed by architect Richard Upjohn, the foremost church architect of the mid-19th Century. It is the oldest church building in the City of Rome, and among the city’s architectural treasures.
The campus of Zion Rome preserves the Upjohn family architectural legacy. The sanctuary was enlarged in 1866-1867 and the parish hall was added in 1885 by Upjohn's son and grandson, respectively.
When the church was built, all its windows were opaque glass. Zion's beautiful stained-glass windows, including two from the Tiffany studios, began to be installed in 1873.
Rooted in the past; connected to the community; looking to the future.
Zion has an illustrious history and a deep connection to Rome, NY. The congregation has worshiped here and served God in the surrounding community for 200 years. Two of the many outstanding rectors who have served this parish have gone on to become bishops in the Episcopal Church, Bishop Whipple and the Rev. Stephen H. Jecko, who was rector of the parish from 1977 to 1984.
In 1977, the first woman ordained in the Diocese of Central New York, Beverly Messenger-Harris, was ordained at Zion Episcopal Church by The Rt. Rev Ned Cole.
In August 2025, Zion celebrated its 200th anniversary with a worship service and reception. The Rev. Pilar Parnell, (pictured right) who grew up attending Zion, preached at the Eucharist Service.
In her sermon, Rev. Parnell credited the longevity of the congregation at Zion to a unique culture forged by a “vision of the love of God and compassion for others,” a “culture that grows when a community follows Jesus with hearts to hear and know, that the love he calls us to, lives in abundance and not scarcity. It is the very thing that has sustained this church community for 200 years and it will be the very thing that sustains it for 200 years to come.”
We look forward to seeing what this next 200 years will bring, and we invite you to join us in this vision of God’s abundance.
In 2024 a Tornado ripped through downtown Rome moderately damaging Zion’s building and seriously damaging several other church buildings on the surrounding streets including First Presbyterian of Rome (pictured left).
In the aftermath of that storm, the displaced congregation of FPC was invited by Zion’s congregation to worship and use office space in our building.
This arrangement has developed into a fruitful and Spirit-filled partnership. Though we are thrilled that FPC will soon be able to worship in their own historic building again, the community at Zion is also sad to see them leave. It has been a joy to support them in their rebuilding efforts!
