Our History

Heavenly inspired and feeling the need to expand Christian work perhaps motivated the late Elder John H. Williams to organize the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 1888, on the southwest corner of Basil and Pine Streets in Mobile, Alabama. Elder Williams pastored this new church for a brief period of time. Succeeding him was Elder U. M. Gardner, whose stay was also brief.

In 1890, Elder Scott Tate, who served the church for twenty-five years, became the pastor. The Sunday School, Senior Choir, and Missionary Society were born under the skillful guidance of this spiritual overseer. During the Tate era, the following officers served: Sis. Manda James (Mother of the Church); Deacons: George Austin, John Wesley, Cornelius Hardy, Emanuel Napier, and Sterling Moody; Church secretaries were Sisters Lula and Lue Jackson; Church Musicians were Sisters Delilah Richardson and Mary Ella Cain. A business firm purchased the facility housing the church. The services were then temporarily housed in a store on the southwest corner of Adams and Pine Streets.

1900's

Striving and sacrificing continuously, the members of the church later purchased the remaining portion of the lot and were soon able to erect a small church. Here, the members sang the praises of thanksgiving; and, in 1916, the late Elder Joshua James succeeded Elder Tate. The James’ administration lasted for four years with many of the same officers from the Tate era serving in key positions. From 1920 until 1923, the church was under the leadership of the late Elder Fortner. During this administration, the church moved to its present site at 1012 Adams Street.

In 1924, the late Elder Jacob McQueen, Sr., succeeded Elder Fortner. For sixteen years, this able minister led the church to greater heights. He was the inspiration that led to the organization of the B.Y.P.U. (BTU) in 1925, designed to promote advanced training for the youth. The Christian Prayer Band, the Queen Esther Club, the Loyal Workers Club, Young Men’s and Young Women’s Progressive Clubs were initiated during his administration as service organizations of the church. Under this skillful leadership, Brothers Henry Figures, Uriah Murphy, James Wooten, Isaiah Pettaway, D. S. Williams, James Madison, Jolly Bracy, Emanuel Napier, Willie Clark and Solomon Harris served on the Deacon Board. Sister Mary Etta Cain and Brother Shepherd Smith were the musicians. Brother Clarence Cain served as church clerk.

Impaired health forced the retirement of Elder McQueen; and in 1941, Elder C.A. Raulston was assigned the task of spiritually ministering to the needs of the church. It was under his leadership that the church began to send messengers to our state and national conventions and conferences. Pastor Raulston served for four years with the aid of many of the pioneer officers. Professor C. C. Coleman was added to the staff of musicians. Additionally, Elder S.M. McCree was chosen as assistant to Elder Raulston. Elder Raulston resigned in May 1944.

From June 1944 to March 1945, Elder S.M. McCree was the interim pastor. On Wednesday night, after the first Sunday in June 1945, the church met in general session to elect a pastor. The recommendation of the Pulpit Committee led to the election of Elder Samuel M. McCree as pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. In 1946, the church officers under the adept leadership of this young minister, initiated plans for construction of a new church. In 1950, after four years of labor and sacrificing untiringly, the membership moved into a new and modern brick edifice. Other building projects and properties acquired under his leadership included several parcels of land; a brick veneer parsonage (1951) later converted and named the Marcia P. Payne Learning Center; the educational building and areas in this building later named the Charles Shepard Fellowship Hall, the Sis. Charlotte M. Sigler Hall and the Sis. Ruth H. Jackson Library.

Under Elder Samuel M. McCree’s pastorate a number of ministries were organized: including the Trustee Board (1946); Flower Club (1952); Laymen’s Movement (1953); Youth Department; Nurses’ Aide Guild; Matrons; Day Care; Trusted Partners; and the Bus Ministry. The Music Ministry expanded with the organization of the Angelic Chorus, Choir Number 2 and Number 4, Youth Choir, Male Chorus and the Voices of Hope Choir. Special projects, programs and appointments during Elder McCree’s pastorate greatly enhanced the church’s mission and included weekly Bible classes; increased tithing among members; recognition of senior citizens; recognition of fifty year plus membership (1993); the ordination and licensing of more than 25 ministers; and the naming of a Youth Minister; Youth Director; Women Trustees; Security Commission (1999); Scholarship Committee; By-Laws Committee; and an Education Board.

2000's

Elder Samuel M. McCree served as pastor for 56 years until his retirement on January 1, 2001. From January 1, 2001 to July 12, 2002, Elder Herbert Taylor, Associate Pastor; and Youth Minister George Henderson served and ministered to the spiritual needs of the Congregation.

On July 12, 2002, Reverend Montgomery Portis, Jr. was elected to pastor Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He accepted the appointment graciously and assumed his pastoral duties on Sunday, August 18, 2002. Reverend Portis was installed as pastor on Sunday, September 15, 2002. His pastorship began as the church was about to celebrate 114 years of history, veracity and stamina as a Baptist Church. He delivered the message for this observance that had the theme: “A New Beginning: A New Heart and A New Spirit.”

Building upon a firm foundation laid by his predecessors, Pastor Montgomery Portis, Jr. continued to move the church forward with “A New Beginning, A New Heart and A New Spirit.” Under Pastor Portis’ first year of leadership at Mt. Zion, the church experienced growth in winning souls to Christ and in every other area of the church in meeting the needs of its members through worship, teaching, spiritual guidance, fellowship, stewardship and benevolence. The following God-inspired initiatives to aid the overall health of the church and to promote its growth were implemented: New deacons trained and elected; New deaconesses trained and named; Weekly evening Bible Classes renewed plus mid-day and youth classes offered; Mid-day Communion served; Communion served to incapacitated members; Training renewed for Deacons/Deaconesses; Roles expanded for Deaconesses; Seniors Ministry added; Current ministries expanded; Church By-Laws amended; Trustee Board elected by ballots; Ministry heads elected by the membership; Full time administrative assistant and secretary employed; Buildings/Land Staff employed; Social Services Director (volunteer) named; Librarian/Historian (volunteer) named; Computer training classes offered; Monthly Executive Board Meetings held; Ministry-based budgeting developed; Tithing; Offering and Stewardship promoted and increased; Flood damage repairs from the bell tower to the ground floor managed and supervised; Facilities improved including sanctuary enhancements; Men’s and Women’s restrooms added with physically disabled accommodations; Security systems upgraded; Automated Communication procured; Cost effective air conditioning/heating systems installed; Classroom space expanded; Library space expanded; Computer systems upgraded; Resources inventoried; and Church’s finances and accounting made accessibility to membership.

This brief narrative is evidence of the improvements, expansions, and spiritual growth of Mt Zion through the years. Today, Mt. Zion Baptist Church remains vital and strong with a membership of 500. The 115 years of this church’s existence reveal a bold commitment to Christ.

Note:  A detailed narrative of Mt. Zion Baptist Church is not available because of the scarcity of chronological historical data on its members, church leaders and ordained ministers. It can be assumed that the ancestors of some of the present members of this church were instrumental in its foundation and continuous membership roles.

Address.

1012 Adams Street
Mobile, AL 36603

Tel. (251)432-2997  Fax. (251) 433-1642