Mt. Zion Church History
The complete authentic history of the Old Mt. Zion Baptist Church is unattainable as many of the members at that time were unable to read or write and there was no one to record the meetings. To the best of our knowledge, Old Mt. Zion Baptist Church was organized in 1847 A.D. and was located on the Ramsey Plantation. Since the church has been organized, it has brought forth good fruits. She is the Mother of five churches:
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Zion Branch,
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Zion Fair,
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Zion Hill,
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St. John Devine, and
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Greater Young Zion.
Since its existence, Mt. Zion has had fifteen pastors:
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There is no exact record of the years of each pastorship.
In order to attend worship services, many of our members had to cross over other plantations. Some of the plantation owners were not happy about people trespassing on their property. Because of the hardship endured to our members due to the distance of travel and having to leave or cross the various master’s property several churches branched out.
In the year of our Lord July 19, 1868, twelve members left Old Mt. Zion Baptist Church to form Zion Branch Missionary Baptist Church. Some of those members were: A. Kneece, Moses Mason, Jerry Minor, Bell Roberson, and Sister June Lockhart.
In the year 1870, 42 members left to organize Zion Fair. They included:
William Stephen Lizzie Roberson Peter Williams Dolly Cray
Abram Givens Calley Riley Omer Roberson Octarie Corbett
Belson Holland Laurie Dicks Cyrons Hickson Estell Corbett
Peter Stewart Lucy Bryant Charley Gibson Edner Williams
Henry Corbet Jane Coleman Charley Washington Ada Brayboy
Verge Hall Adeline Stephens John A. Bruce Callie Washington
Hessie Stancey Julia Corbett Robert Simpkins Mary Bates
Glove Coleman Deneny Bush Anderson Lampkins Anderson Morris
A. B. Walker Aron Barton Ormas Kelly Tom Walters
Harrison Chavous Berry Bradley Manuel Willey
Reverend T. Walker
In 1884, under his leadership, 42 members left to organize Zion Hill Baptist Church. Those members were:
Bryant Bates Rivauna Bates Mary Williams Gerald (Jerod) Bates
Anna Bing Julia Williams York Cannon Louise Cannon
Agnes Williams Bryant Bates Frances Channel Frances Williams
Joseph Corbitt Delia Corbitt Mariah Wigfall William Eubanks
Eleanor Drayton Israel Green Hannah Eubanks Stephen Green
Lucy Green Tom Hill Willie Hill Moses Jackson, Sr.
Lizzie Jackson Moses Jackson, Jr. Carolina P. Lattimer William J. Jackson
Rebecca E. Lattimer Matthew Lattimer Mary Patterson Pierce Patterson
Sallie Rouse William Smith Gerogian Smith Omster Twiggs
Betsey Tanksley Henry Wigfall Carolina Twiggs George Williams
Mary Walker
Reverend J. Boyd
During his leadership, the church experienced severe hardship, but the church membership grew rapidly. The church relocated from the Ramsey Plantation to our current place of worship.
Two churches branched out during his tenure. In 1889, six families headed by Brother Alex William, Head of Committee at Tim’s Branch under a Brush Harbor, organized St. John Divine. The other families were Phil Oliver, Jake Baron, Milledge Evans, William Reynolds, and George Corbett.
On November 17, 1902 twelve members, who were living in Augusta, Georgia asked permission to organize a church there because their transportation would not permit them to attend as regularly as they desired. The church was called the Young Mt. Zion Baptist Church; today it is called the Greater Young Zion. Some of the twelve members were Deacon Scott Jefferson, Sister Mollie Williams, Brother Sherbin Turpin, Sister Nellie Turpin, Sister Indiana Smith, Sister Lizzie Beaman, and Brother Elliot Bing.
Rev. Boyd worked faithfully as Pastor of Mt. Zion for 31 years. In 1925 he was called from labor to his reward. The church was without a leader until 1926.
Reverend Jesse Middleton
In 1926, the congregation called Rev. Middleton as Pastor and he served for four years.
Reverend W. H Vaughns
In 1930, Rev. W.H. Vaughns became Pastor. During this leadership, he ordained three deacons; E.L. Coleman, George Newman, and George Ingram. He served as pastor for four years.
The first deacons to be ordained were Joshua Patterson, Peter Lockhart, York Cannon, and Jacob Allen. The year was unattainable.
Reverend J.R. Riley
In 1934, Rev. J.R. Riley was called as Pastor. Many souls came to Christ under his leadership. He organized the first choir in the church in October 1954. It was called the Junior Choir and today it is known as the Senior Choir. The Church continued to march forward. It had several phases of remodeling during his tenure. The structure was bricked, re-floored, central heating and air installed, choir stands, and vestibule including powder room and supper room, basement with restrooms and the cornerstone was laid in front of the church.
He ordained the following deacons: Willie Allen, Isaiah Woodward, James S. Burns, Golie Walker, Harry Ingram, Frank Gardner, Willie Johnson, Wesley Runnels, and Levi Laws. During those days, we would march from Mt. Zion singing Hymns and Songs of Praise on the 2nd Sunday in September to Hollow Creek for Baptism until Reverence Riley installed a pool at the church. Rev. Riley served faithfully as Pastor for 3 years. Due to failing health, he resigned.
The church was in need of a pastor. Rev. Milton Key served as interim pastor. A committee was formed to review the needs of the church. The committee went to the home of Lic. Lewis J. Tanksley to see if he was interested in becoming pastor of this Church. He accepted the offer.
Reverend Lewis J. Tanksley
Rev. Tanksley was ordained in 1975 at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Evans, Georgia. He became our pastor in March of 1977.
During the pastoring of Rev. Tanksley, the church continued to progress. He organized the Trustee Board and the Deaconess Board. He ordained the following deacons: Calvin Hazel, Fred Walker, James Ingram, Harry Newman, Wilbert Newman, Warren Aaron, and Matthew Miller. He received one deacon from Ninety-six, SC., Deacon Fred Perry.
On January 11, 1970, a youth choir was organized. It was later called the Mt. Zion Young People with Sister Anna Bell Runnels as advisor and Deacon Willie Johnson as her assistant. It was renamed the L.J. Tanksley choir and is known today as the Mt. Zion Gospel Choir. In 1976, the J.R. Riley Choir was organized in honor of the late Rev. J.R. Riley.
As we continued to be blessed by the Lord, we purchased a public address system, remodeled the choir stand and basement, added new carpet throughout the church, added walking and wheelchair ramps, and installation of the baptism pool. We also added a 4th Sunday service. After serving 11 years as Pastor, Rev. Tanksley resigned in 1987.
In 1988, we were without a pastor. We had several ministers to carry on with the service. Rev. Milton Williams served until God sent us a Pastor in January 1989.
Reverend Henry Ingram, Sr.
Rev Ingram came in January 1989 and was installed March 1989,
The Church continued to grow. Under Rev. Ingram’s leadership, the following progress was made:
1989
Organized Willing Workers Ministry, Hospitality Ministry, Pastor’s Aide and Bible Study
1990
Pews covered, 100 padded chairs purchased, copy machine and typewriter purchased, secretary room added, and new furniture was purchased for the Pastor’s Study and a kitchen sink and hot water heater were installed.
1991
Ceiling fans, two scones and three chandeliers (one donated by the Later Sister Josephine A. Simpkins in honor of her loved ones that passed on).
1992
Purchased an electric keyboard with speaker and computer equipment. Deacons Marshall Walker, Alex Schoultz and Abraham Smith were ordained.
1993
Purchased a Hammond Organ.
1994
Tim Schoultz, George Williams and Willie Hazel ordained as deacons and purchased a marquee.
1996
2nd Sunday in October broke ground for Fellowship Hall.
1997
Dedication of Fellowship Hall. Water cooler donated to the Fellowship Hall by Ella Green and others. Deacon George Ingram donated eight tables to the church for the Fellowship Hall in memory of his mother, Mrs. Estelle L. Ingram; father, Brother Albert Ingram, Sr.; and brother, Brother Albert Ingram, Jr.
1998
Initiated Children’s Church.
1999
Marco Brooks Initial Sermon. Piano was donated to Mt. Zion by Coach Butch Jacobs. A set of drums was donated to Mt. Zion by Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Graham (Pamela Ingram Graham). A youth Ministry for the Children’s Church was organized. Re-carpeted the church.
2000
A freezer was donated to Mt. Zion by Deacon Wilbert Newman. A wheelchair was donated to Mt. Zion by Mrs. Carol Wehner. Debra Harden donated desk and chair to Mt. Zion. Reorganized The Home Missionary Ministry. Paving of the Parking Lot.
2001
Initiated the Program Committee, Educational Committee and Planning Committee. Pastor Support Ministry organized. Removal of out house and Society Building. Clearing of land and trees.
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Records of ministers ordained at Mt. Zion who have passed on are Rev. W.M. Drayton, T.W. Walker, John Brown, A. Bell, George Ingram, and J.R. Riley
On December 9, 1984 Sister Annie Bell Stallings donated the Christian Flag in honor of her father and the United States Flag in honor of her son to help keep their memories alive. Brother Josh Newman, who was a sexton, along with some of our earlier members, cut down trees to build benches to sit on. Some of those benches are still in use in the balcony of the Church.
Some of the Mothers of the Church are unknown by name, but some of the Mothers were Sister Gracie Hicks Newman, Sister Marie Coleman, Sister Josephine Walker and our current Mother is Emily I. Hazel. Our oldest active member is Sister Katie Miller.
After Rev. Henry Ingram resigned the church went through a strong period of prayer time. Several ministers shared the word with the congregation but it was strength of the Deacon Ministry coupled with the preaching of Minister Mary J. Ingram that kept the church together and the members who prayed that a better day was coming. We are thankful for our Deacon Ministry, our son of the house Rev. Abraham Smith, and our Daughter of the house Minister Mary J. Ingram. Without them and our trust in God we never would have made it.
Reverend Paul H. Bush
In September of 2010 Rev. Paul H. Bush was asked to come and preach for the months of November and December. Rev. Bush accepted the request and on January 9, 2011 the Deacon Board and congregation of Mt. Zion, elected Rev. Paul H. Bush to be Pastor.
Since becoming our Pastor Rev. Bush has brought several new ministries to our church and we are still growing. April 4, 2011 marked a historical event in the life of Mt. Zion as we begun EVERY SUNDAY SERVICE! We praise God for moving on the hearts of the people to embrace such a leap of faith.
Pastor Bush has shared his 3, 5, 8, and 10 years vision plan with the church that have set all our hearts on fire. Several things have already come to pass. The Love and warmth that he and First Lady (Michelle Bush) brings to our church family has quickly caught on and spread throughout our congregation.
Since being called as our pastor in January of 2011 Pastor Bush has helped Mt. Zion to receive 46 members to our flock; 16 by letter; 17 by baptism; 8 restored; 3 by Christian experience; 1 re-dedicated; 1 watch care; sadly we have lost 6 by death.
Besides the many ministries that have been added to the church we have Monday night classes from 6:30-8p.m. and Wednesday night Bible study 6:30-7:30p.m. We have installed new wiring systems, alarm systems, new carpet, and covered our pews. A new bathroom has been installed with many other updated improvements. Also electronic equipment has been purchased to help bring our church into the state of the arts.
On July 29, 2012 Pastor Bush and the Mt. Zion church family ordained Rev. Mary J. Ingram into the gospel ministry.
In 2012 God added to our church family 5 new members by letter; 6 by baptism; 9 by Christian experience; 2 restored; which gives us 22 new members his year. Sadly, we have lost 7 by death. This brings the total of 68 new members under the leadership of Pastor Bush in the last 2 years
In 2013, remodeling has provided us with 2 new classrooms, and the entire downstairs being painted with paneling being added to the fellowship hall. We now have a website at www.mtzion125.com, we are on Facebook at mtzion125, and we have Wi-Fi capability.
In 2014, our membership grew over the last year with 7 by letter; 4 by baptism; 3 by Christian experience; 1 by watch care; and 4 by re dedication; which grows our membership by 19 and a total of 87 new members connecting and re-connecting with our church family over the last 3 years.
What an honor in June 2014 we were able to bring on 4 new deacons (Alonzo Moore, Terence Williams, William Ford, Johnny Elam Jr) and 4 new deaconesses (Valarie Elam, Joyce Ray, Marilyn Harrison, Teresa Wilson).
August 2014 to August 2015 our memberships has grown over the last year with 3 by letter; 1 by baptism; 5 by Christian experience; 1 by watch care; and 3 restored; which grows our membership by 13 this year and a total of 100 new members connecting and reconnecting with our church family over the last 4 years. We lost 3 by death. In addition, we added a roof to the church, air conditioning to the fellowship Hall and a utility house.
As we continue the establishment of Kingdom Building in 2014 we were blessed to get our own Healthcare Marketplace not only for our members but for our Nation. Anyone in the United States of America can shop for healthcare at www.christianministryhealthexchange.com (what an honor to serve our nation).
August 2015 to August 2016 our membership continued to grow with 4 new members: 2 by Christian Experience;1 by baptism; 1 restored by baptism. We lost one member by death.
Pastor Bush continues to empower, enrich, and equip the members of Mt. Zion to become all that God is calling us to be in such a time as this.