As we celebrate the 115 Anniversary of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, we pause to recognize the countless men and women who have given their time, talents, and financial resources in doing God’s work.
In order to have an appreciation of Mt. Zion as it is today, we must take a retrospective view of this great church and works done by its founders, pastors and members. How far you have come is equally as important as how far you have to go. This brief history points up some of the circumstances that brought this into existence.
In 1910 a few dedicated and divinely inspired individuals met in the Bush Arbor community and saw a great need for a spiritual shrine as a focal point for Christian growth. Their actions were favorable and pleasing to God and in the spring 1910 Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church came into being. With its humble beginning in a tent located in what was then known as Askew Flat. The second place of worship was in a building on the southern end of Bolivar Street. This building which had once been a store, was occupied until it failed to satisfy the needs of the membership and their desire to continue to spiritually prosper. The church then moved from Bolivar Street location to Eureka Street into a new wood framed structure. Fire destroyed this building and the church temporarily occupied what was then know as the McBride’s Barn. A new brick church was built and dedicated on Washington Street.
Though renovated through the years, the original church building, which was built in 1817 stood until 2003, when the last serviced was conducted on the first Sunday in May. Rev. Anderson had formed a committee to prepare for extensive renovation. But God was the leader, and He knew what was best for us. The building was old. Therefore, we decided to renovate. On the 1st Sunday in May (May 4, 2003). The Spirit of our heavenly Father was very present during our worship service. With Sunday school 9:30 a.m., Morning worship at 11:00 a.m. and evening worship at 6:00 p.m. Around midnight a natural disaster we though came in the form of a tornado and destroyed the building as we knew it at 201 West Chester. Our church was standing, however the roof was gone, and much of the church was totally damaged. Far beyond repair, reducing our original windows constructed of one-half inch glass, set in concrete, the basic color blue. Each window depicts an event from the life of Christ or an event from the Bible. We are yet proud of the remaining 15 windows, original 20.
Our present church located at 201 West Chester, was reconstructed, and our first worship service was held April 9, 2006.