MT. ZION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY
As we celebrate the 114th 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.
The history of this great church reflects a record of God’s grace and mercy, a commitment to Biblical teaching, and an outreach to provide solutions to those who would profess and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. From its’ humble beginnings to its’ present status. Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church always has provided unparalleled spiritual, brotherly love and social justice for humankind.
The history of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church is one of many hardships, trials, tribulations and well-earned rewards. Men and women have sacrificed time, effort and money to establish a monument where the children of God can worship. 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 known as the McBride’s Barn. A new brick church was built and dedicated on Washington Street.
The Church from its inception and for a greater part of its early existence was guided by the Rev. R. B. Littleton. Rev. Littleton was a very able preacher, scholar and natural philosopher, who incidentally was ordained a minister at the beginning of the Church. This ordination service was conducted by Rev. Key.
After the death of Rev. Littleton, the pastorate was assumed by the Rev. Timothy Saine in the early 1930's. Rev. Saine served Mt. Zion until the transitioning of his wife. He then moved with his daughter to Alabama.
Rev. J. A. Caldwell took the reins in the early part of the 1940's and served the church well in all capacities. The church progressed greatly and affiliated itself with the State and National Conventions. Later under his pastorate, the church on Washington Street was completely renovated, including the completion of the basement and Sunday School classrooms. The Rev. J.A. Caldwell served untiringly until his death.
The Rev. J.P. Jones supplied the pulpit of the church after the death of Rev. Caldwell and was elected pastor of the church in 1957. Rev. Jones was the youngest pastor in the history of the church. He was a very inspiring young minister. Remodeling of the church was done during his tenure. Rev. Jones served until the fall of 1960 when he accepted the call to Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Rev. Nesbie Alston was then elected pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 1960. The church made rapid progress and enjoyed a lively relationship with the Rev. Alston and his family. On August 26, 1962, the Rev. Alston delivered his farewell sermon as pastor of Mt. Zion and accepted the charge at Gospel Temple Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee.
The church secured the services of the Rev. Peter Northern and Rev. L. E. Theus until the Rev. C. R. Williams was elected pastor of the church in 1962. Rev. Williams, a forceful minister brought many good and progressive plans to the church and the membership continued to grow. Rev. C.R. Williams served until September 13, 1964.
The vacant pulpit was temporarily filled by various ministers throughout West Tennessee until the Rev. Bobby Erskine Anderson (Rev. B. E. Anderson) came to supply the pulpit. He was elected pastor of the church May 19, 1965 and was installed October 3, 1965. This young minister, whom God sent to us, along with his family, has done so much for the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Through his leadership we were able to move to 201 West Chester Street, and we continued to make many accomplishments too numerous to name at this location. However,to list some accomplishments at this location, the church made renovation both on the exterior and interior and secured additional adjacent properties to provide for the membership. Other properties nonadjacent to the church was purchased on North Royal Street, which include a 4 apartment house, 2 bedrooms house and a 4 bedroom 2 bath house. Though renovated through the years, the original church building, which was built in 1817 stood until 2003, when the last services was held 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. Therefore, we decided to renovate. On the 1st Sunday in May
(May 4, 2-003). 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 repairs, 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.
Celebrating God’s blessing the rebuilt Mt. Zion and our first worship service was held April 9, 2006.
On December 31, 2012, our Leader and Pastor Rev. B. E. Anderson stated that May 19, 2013 due to health issues, will be his last Sunday as Pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He also stated that he have been blessed and has had much love with Mt. Zion for 48 years. He appreciated everything, however he realizes that this would be hard for some of us, but it's extremely hard on himself and Mrs. Anderson. The last thing that he would want to do is leave Mt. Zion.
"THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA"
On Saturday, January 4, 2014. The church elected a new leader. Rev. Curtis Mormon was elected, a man with much enthusiasm, along with his family, spouse and three sons. Pastor Morman realized that the church was entering a generational difference. A man community driven, changing things to the fact that God is calling us to go outside the walls of 201 West Chester. Reverend Morman has been spreading the message of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for many years.
Sunday, February 2, 2014, Rev. Curtis Morman delivered his first sermon as Pastor of Mt. Zion. His subject: "Don't Panic the Situation Is Under Control", Joshua 1:1-9. This was the beginning of a new era.
Sunday, March 31, 2014, Rev. Curtis Morman was installed as Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church's 8th pastor after 50 years with Rev. Anderson.
Today, we are continuing to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
