Mt Zion Church

Mt. Zion Church

Mount Zion Baptist Church is located South of Ft. Gaines on the Ft. Gaines-Bluffton Road. It was organized in 1856 and was called "Little Sisters". Early families active in the church were: Foster, Killingsworth, Hammack, Hubbard, Martin, Belisle, Land, West, Culbreth. The first pastor recorded is R. Thornton in 1860.

Photo by Lindy Lee Hard

Clay Co GA Deeds Bk E, p617
Clay County, Georgia
April 15, 1882

This is to certify that we the present owner's of the Estate of G
R Holloway deceased doth grant to Iverson Wimberley as pastor in charge the
privileges of rebuilding Mt. Zion Church destroyed by the recent cyclone and
so long as the Church is used exclusively as a house of sacred worship the
Denomination which he represents are priviledged to occupy unmolested. In
keeping with the established rule of Mr. Holoway we reserve the right to
dictate and if necessary abolish the church in case it is used for political
purposes or in any other way other than as a house of worship. To this end
we would write and humbly pray that God in his power and mercy will bless
the church protect it from the fury of fuly? cyclones vouchsaft to its members
peace prosperity and good will on earth and eternal life and happiness hereafter.

[signed] Van Holoway, Annie Dobbins, W O Dobbins
[witnesses] A P Ingraham, CSC Clay Co GA
Signature of W O Dobbins acknowleged
before me
[recorded] Nov 7th 1885

The original church was constitued 28 June 1856 as a "Missionary Baptist"
church.
From the original Record Book
Church Constitution (pgs 3-4)
Georgia Clay County
"We the following presbytery do hereby certify that we this day met together
and after a minute examination did constitute the following brethren and sisters (to wit)
Robert Jones, John Newberry, John W Bradly, Mary A Land, Harriet Million,
Martha A P Lofton, Elizabeth Henderson, Mary Ann Jones, Elizabeth Jones and
Winnie Truett into a baptist church of christ which shall be known and
distinguished by the name of Little Sisters Church.
Witness our hands the day and date above written.
Presbytery// John Martin, Richard Y Lofton, W W Odom"

Articles of Faith (pgs 5-6)
Rules of Decorum (pgs 6-10) lines drawn through name "Little Sisters"
Covenant (pgs 11-12)-- At the end of the covenant are the words "We the
members of Mount Zion Church Cheerfully Agree"

A few years ago Original Record Book was at the the Clay county public
library in Fort Gaines, and to my knowledge is still there, but has never
been microfilmed. I have never seen any microfilm of it at at GA archives or listed in any
of the Baptist repository holdings.

Lindy Hard
3rd great granddaughter of Richard Y Loftin [named above]

Thanks Lindy for this Deed!!

Mt. Zion Church Cemetery

More Pictures of Mt Zion

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Last Updated 13 March, 2008

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