About First Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church

January 1940, a snowstorm destroyed the house on Craven Lane. The church was now faced with the task of finding a temporary place to worship until a new building could be erected. The Rev. Mrs Gill offered the Mt Zion Holiness Church on Oliver Street as a place of worship until a new sanctuary was built.

After much searching , available property was found at 1301 Burton Street. There was a small wooden house located on the property. The church voted to purchase the property for $3000.00. The pastor and men of the church donated many hours of labor converting the small 20 X 20 ft. building into a temporary worship place for the church family. Still the desire to build a sanctuary was very strong on the pastor and congregation heart.

Brothers Herbert Stewart donated land that he owned to the church. The land was adjacent to the church property. Brother Stewart made the donation in hopes of making the church’s dream a reality. Deacon Earnest Williams provided some of the financial resources and raaw materials, such as coal for heating the church.

In order to generate funds for the new sanctuary, every family was asked to daonte one weeks wages. In answer to this plea, Deacons Fred Culp and Goins Walker, Brothers Oscar Wiggins, Herbert Stewart, and John Powell were a few of the leaders in this effort. Rev Stewart donated one year of his Salary toward the realization of this goal.

For four years, the membership held fundraisers to create the money needed to purchase materials for the new sanctuary. Many hours of labor and much love was put into the construction of the new sanctuary. Finally, the Sunday arrived when the church family would enter the new sanctuary. The joy was short lived, for Rev Stewart became ill and died. Rev. T. M. Martin, an assistant to Rev. Stewart became the fourth pastor. Rev. C.N. Evans was the fifth pastor.

In 1945, Rev. F.G. Lowery of Rock Hill, SC was called as the sixth pastor. The membership continued to expand and more deacons were added.

The members pulled together to raise money to build a choir loft, purchase new pulpit furniture, carpet and make repairs as needed.

Through the years, as the membership grew, more deacons were added. They included Brothers Sam Pittman, Ernest Williams, Joe Hampton, Douglas Aaron, William Hughes, Thad McCleave, John Eaves, Sr., Haywood Womble, Thomas Sowell, and John Pittman.

The Gospel Choir and the Youth Choir were organized by Deacon Sam Pittman and the Musical Choir was organized by Rev Lowery and Sis. Vera Eaves. The Young Adult Missionary was started under the direction of Sister A.L. Pittman, who later became Sr. Missionary Department President.

The church would remain at 1301 Burton Street for more than 30 years before it became a victim of urban renewal. Again the church committee was sent out to seek a new location.

The committee discovered the Advent Christian Church building at 1515 Remount Road and a parsonage on Cowles Road were available. In early 1971, the property was purchased. In June of that year, the First Mount Zion Baptist Church had it’s first service at it’s new location. It was a joyous occasion. Under the pastorate of Rev. Lowery, the congregation grew rapidly. In 1973 the church realized it needed a larger facility.

After 32 years of dedicated service, Rev. F.G. Lowery retired in 1977. The congregation had to seek a new pastor. C. V. Owens , pastor of Suck Creek Baptist church for 22 years, was called by the church as the seventh pastor. He began his pastorate in October 1977.

The church began discussions about the prospect of building a new sanctuary and an educational building. An 8:00 am worship service was started to take care of the 11:00 am service overflow.

Ground breaking for the new education building was held the first Sunday in August 1981. The church was proud of it’s accomplishments. A dream was finally becoming a reality. The building was completed in June 1982.

As the church grew there was a need for more deacons. Brothers Frank Williams and Curtis Harris were added.

Sis. Frances Sowell became president of the Senior Missionary Dept. The Junior MIssionary was organized with Sis Christine McMoore as Youth Supervisor. The Church recognized a need to do more teaching and organized the Christian Education Committee. Sis Dorothy Triplett served as the first President.

During the next few years it was becoming apparent that extesive work was needed on the sabtuary. On Dec 12, 1989 an inspector from the City of Charlotte declared the sanctuary unsafe.

On the last Sunday in December 1989, the buildIng was vacated. Future worship services would be held in the Fellowship Hall beginning with thw first Sunday in 1990. In April the church named the Education Building the F.G. Lowery Building.

In February of 1990 the old Santuary was demolished. Also in 1990 a Building Committee was formed. The original members were Brothers Willie Campbell, Freddie Freeman, Deacon John Pittman, Sister Maggie Bailey, and Brother Zeb Vance was Chairman. Later Sister Claretta Adams replaced Sis Maggie Bailey and Brother William Fair was added.

Through the years additional deacons were added to the Board. They were Willie Campbell, Fred Hamilton, Steven Boyd, William Fair, Frank Howard, Willie Peake, Arger Bailey, Earl McAuley, Zeb Vance, Howard Suber, Eddie Scott, and David Williams.

January 1992 the Trustees recommended Mylar Church Building Systems as the new architect and builder. On April 26 1992 Mylar made a formal presentation to the church body. The Church members pledged money for a new Sanctuary. The last financial papers were signed and contruction of the new sanctuary was scheduled to start in August 1994.The groundbreaking ceremony was held in March 1994. The site work for the Sanctuary began in June with the dirt removal project.

The new sanctuary was completed in 1995. The ribbon cutting ceremony was held in September 1995. This was followed by a week of dedication services and a banquet. A souvenir booklet and photo album was complied as a reminder of this very special time. On June 6, 1996 the cornerstone ceremony was held.

During the early 90’s Sis Willie Bailey became the 2nd Christian Education chairperson. Additional programs and activities were added in the 90’s, the Nursery for small children during worship service with Lorraine Queen in charge, the Senior Citizens Day out program with Sis Louise Nelson as chairperson, The Children’s Church with Sis Judy Ware as Director, the New Members Committee which was reorganized to include orientation with Twana Sifford as chair, the fine Arts Ministry with Tammey Floyd as Chair, the hostess committee with Willie Bailey as chair, the welcome Committee with Doretha Adams as Chair, the Beautification Committee with Mattie Campbell and Alfreada Brown in charge and the Library Ministry with Evangelist Clark and Louise Nelson in charge. A Van was also purchased during this time.

In 1997 the church voted to have Rev. Robbie Clark, Rev. Benjamin Frye, Rev Steven Boyd and Rev. Nathaniel Watts as associate ministers.

In 1998 the C.V. Owens Ensemble and The Voices of Zion Choirs were organized. Also during this year the church hired an office assistant.

In November 1998 the steeple and chimes were installed and dedicated, Sis. Christine McMoore became president of the General Missionary Department, and more Deacons and Trustees were added.

In 1998 we also celebrated 70 years of service to God and the community. We called it our year of Jubilee.

Rev. Owens retired in 2006. On March 20, 2009 the church voted to call Rev. Jonathan E. Edwards, Sr as the eight pastor. Edwards began serving on March 29th and was installed on June 28, 2009. Edwards served from 2009 to Feb. 2015.

In 2015 Rev. E. Shon Hagwood was called as Interim Pastor. In February 2016, Rev E. Shon Hagwood was unanimously voted in to serve as our ninth Pastor. He was installed on May 15, 2016.