MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH


     The Minutes of the Bethel Association are silent as to when the Mt. Zion Church joined the Association, but its name appears for the first time in the Minutes of 1860 when the Association was held with the Cuthbert Baptist Church.  R. Thornton was reported as the pastor that year and H. A. Rish of Ft. Gaines, Clerk.  Robert Jones and H. A. Rish were the delegates.  Its membership was reported as 59 whites and 3 colored, making a total of 62.

     The pastors to serve this church have been as follows:

     R. Thornton in 1860 and 1861; no report in 1862 and 1863.  R. A. J. Powell began his pastorate there in 1864 and served for five years; J. S. Parker became pastor in 1869 and served until 1882.  J. W. Malone succeeded him and served for six years.  Then came L. Culbreth as pastor for 1888 and 1889.  W. D. Hammack then became pastor and served four years.  No report in 1894, 1895 and 1896.  J. I. D. Miller served in 1897.  W. D. Hammock then came back again and served 1898.  No report in 1899 and 1900.  J. E. Dykes began his pastorate in 1901 and served until 1906.  No pastor reported in 1906 and 1907.  J. W. Sauls was pastor in 1908, and 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912.  No pastor reported from 1913 to 1917.  W. D. Hammock served in 1917.  No report in 1818.  H. M. Meleon served in 1919.

     This is the last report received by the Bethal Association from Mt. Zion Church. It has been dropped from the roll of membership as being extinct.  The church house is still there and in fair condition and once each year on a Sunday the old members of the church assemble in this old church building and have all day service conducted by one of its old pastors, W. D. Hammock.

     The Clerks who have served this church are as follows:  H. A. Rish 1860; D. Mashburn to 1872; T. M. Killingsworth to 1879; E. S. Ward in 1879; J. F. Rish to 1886; E. A. West to 1888; W. C. Belisle to 1892; W. T. Hammock to 1898; Oscar Beard in 1898; C. A. Belisle to 1907; C. J. Cox to 1910; W. E. Pounds to 1913; no report until 1917; W. T. Gentry to 1919.

     This old church was situated a few miles west of Bluffton and for many years was a great blessing to the community.  Most of the people have moved out and gone to the nearby towns and left this once populous community destitute of white people.  However the church in its day served its people well and there are now many old people living who are happy for the Sunday on which they are to return each year to the old church and again hear their old pastor proclaim the Gospel.

(page 209-210)


"History of Bethel Association - Including Centennial Meeting"
Centennial meeting held with Baptist church at
Edison, Georgia, October 25, 26, 27, 1932
A. L. Miller, Edison, Ga., Moderator.
W. H. Joyner, Coleman, Ga., Clerk

Complied and Edited by
Alexander Lee Miller
Moderator of Association
1909 -- 1934
 

 

Contributed by Donna Eldridge <DonnaEldrid@aol.com>

Copyright © 2004 Ed Gordon <edeye1@hotmail.com>