For 160 years, Zion Poplars Baptist Church has stood as more than a place of worship. It has been a gathering place for families, a source of strength during difficult times and a lasting piece of Gloucester County’s history. The church, located at 7000 T.C. Walker Road in Gloucester, will be celebrating its 160th anniversary during Sunday’s services. Founded in 1866, the church traces its name to the seven poplar trees where its earliest members gathered to worship before a church building was constructed. Today, as Zion Poplars marks its anniversary, members are reflecting on its rich history while looking toward the future. Emily Sue Jones, the church clerk and Sunday school superintendent, has attended Zion Poplars since she was a young teenager. “I started going with my uncle when I was about 14 or 15,” she said. “I had been a member of Rising Valley before I joined Zion Poplars, but I have family here. My cousins were members, so the church has always been part of our family’s st...