Rossville AME Zion Church was founded by free people of African descent in 1850 to be the center of commnunity life for a thriving African American Community that became known as Sandy Ground. Free blacks came to the South Shore of Staten Island, New York seeking a new life. 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th generation descendents of the founders still worship at Rossville. Lthought he community has undergone tremendous change, people still come to Rossville seeking a new way of life.