Remembering Our Past
Despise Not Small Beginning…
Mt. Zion Baptist Church History
1924-2024
“Celebrating 100 Years”
Mt. Zion Baptist Church was established on Chestnut Avenue, now known as “F” Avenue SE, in the
basement of Rev. & Mrs. O’Kelly’s home in 1924.
Some of our earlier ministers were Rev. Johnson and Rev. Bonds. It was during Rev. P.R.D. Gore’s
leadership in 1930 that the church’s name was changed to Holy Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Other ministers
who served were Rev. R.W. Williams and Rev. J.H. Tate. It was also during this period, according to
available records, that the church voted and was accepted as a member of the Alexander Union Missionary
Baptist Association.
The church called Rev. Pole in 1953.
In 1954, the church called Rev. R. W. Ramsey of Mooresville, NC to serve the church family. Under the
leadership of God and Pastor Ramsey, the church grew in number and spiritual fervor. Many auxiliaries
were formed and added to the church. In 1966, under Pastor Ramsey’s leadership, we moved to a new
location on Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard and the church was renamed Mt. (Mount) Zion Baptist Church. He
served as our minister for over twenty years.
Rev. Alfred Wright of Hickory, NC came to us in 1977. It was during his administration that the church
made even more progress. Under his fourteen year leadership, the church became a member of Mountain
and Catawba Missionary Baptist Association. Following his resignation, Rev. Emanuel Covington of
Hickory, NC served as our Interim Pastor for the next twenty-two months.
The church grew in membership under the brief fourteen month tenure of Rev. William Barber, Jr. of
Kannapolis, NC. Others who served as Interim Pastors and “fill-ins” during 1995 were Rev. Thomas
Logan of Newton, NC, Rev. Kenneth Smith of Shelby, NC and again, Rev. Covington.
On December 5, 1996, the church called Rev. Larry D. Benton of Stanley, NC to lead our congregation.
He officially took over the pastorate on January 1, 1997. We saw growth and progress under Pastor
Benton’s leadership. We are continuing to grow spiritually and our church saw many renovations achieved which include a van ministry, our first woman trustee, updates to our buildings and the completion of a Habitat for Humanity House.
On June 1, 2008 through March 31, 2023, the church called and we were under the leadership of Reverend James Lamont Reeves. Under his leadership, we purchased 4.7 acres of land; he was instrumental in forming the Kingdom Alliance Fellowship, which secured a grant to provide community events. In addition, during the summer of 2013, we fed more the 4000 meals to our community through the Kennedy Foundation. Other growth under his leadership included the establishment of our Outreach ministry which include the Brotherhood Breakfast that provided physical and spiritual nourishment to community members on each Wednesday prior to Covid, and currently with our Meals on Wheels, and Blessing Boxes. We have and continue to partner with our sister church, Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church with additional outreach projects; Resurrection Day Festivals, Vacation Bible School, Hallelujah Nights, and joint Christmas worship services. Rev. Reeves was instrumental in making sure or Worship and Arts Ministry sought and continue to seek ways to provide access, via technology, to our worship service for those who cannot physically worship with us.
Various other ministries continue to strive towards sharing the word of God through Morning Devotion/Prayer Line, Bible Study, Sunday School, and Children’s Church.
On March 1, 2024 God blessed us with a shepherd, Reverend Steve Caldwell from Rome GA, to continually lead this flock in the way of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are excited and awaiting all the magnificent things God will do through this shepherd, the one He has sent us.
Mt. Zion Baptist Church is continuing our efforts to grow for the cause of Christ and we continue to be an instrument in the hand of God. Thus, we present to you,
Our History, a reminder of who we are as we praise God for our being here 100 years. Let us remember, “ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK WE STAND.”
The Church Today