NATCHEZ — On Sunday afternoon congregants packed the pews of Zion Chapel No. 2 Church in Kingston — just like they’ve been doing for the past 150 years.

Singing hymns and filling the small church with prayer, churchgoers celebrated the church’s 150th anniversary Sunday.

Deacon Clarence Green has been a member of the church for more than 20 years and said the strong bond between the members is what has held the church together for a century and a half.

“We’re all here for the same thing,” Green said. “We’re here for God. And we’re joined by that.”

According to church literature, the founding members of the church held the first services under a bush arbor, a pavilion made from branches and shrubs, until a log cabin could be built.

Green said from that cabin the members of Zion No. 2 have been through at least four other buildings on the same plot of land.

“It’s a wonderful history that we’re all proud of,” he said.

“It’s a special place.”

But for Green and his fellow church members, the church is about more that just the building.

“This is the church,” Green said pointing to the congregation.

“Not the building. It’s the people that make the church.”

And for some church members, Zion No. 2 is the only church they’ve known.

“I’ve been a member of this church just about as long as I’ve been alive,” Ida Morris said waiting for services to start. “I can’t imagine being anywhere else. This is my church.”

And being a member of Zion No. 2 is a point of pride for church members, Morris said.

“It feels awesome to be part of something like this,” she said.

“To know you’re part of history like this is wonderful.”

The church has had regular services for 150 years, and those services will continue, the deacons say.

“We’re going to have church here today no matter what,” Deacon Willie McMorris said to the congregation. “That’s certain.”