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MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY
Mount Zion Baptist Church, as it now stands, is steeped in history and tradition like that of any great institution that has lasted through the years. This most colorful history goes back to the year of 1877.
Mount Zion had its beginning in the home of the late Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Keith on west Eighth Street, with Rev. Moses Castle bringing the small group their first message. Among the small Christian group of organizers were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Little, Mr. and Mrs. Hillary Holmes and Mr. Sam Morris and the Keith’s son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson (Martha) Keith. They finished the year under a brush arbor on Thirteenth and Victory Streets. In 1878, the church held its meetings in a small building on Tenth and Springs Streets when the Rev. Brown became the second Pastor.
In September 1880, Anderson Keith, founder and trustee, purchased a lot (906 Cross Street) from Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Little. The membership erected a frame building – one large room to be used for all services, a vestibule and a belfry. This modest frame building was a place of beauty wherein they rejoiced unto the Master, led hundreds of souls from the darkness of sin and encouraged others without church homes to join them. Ministers who served Mount Zion Baptist Church in this humble structure were: Rev. Reed, Rev. Martin, Rev. Cornelius, Rev. John Harris, Rev. C.L. Fisher, Rev. D.D. Scott, and Rev. Joseph A. Booker.
During Dr. Booker’s pastorate, this progressive congregation felt the need for an institution to train Baptist ministers for the growing state of Arkansas. In 1884, the group founded Arkansas Baptist College, at 16th and High Street, and Dr. Joseph Booker was elected president. The first session of this nationally recognized school was held in Mount Zion Baptist Church. In 1909, Mount Zion Baptist Church began its “forward march” with the installation of Rev. Robert M. Caver as pastor.
Rev. Caver, known as a congenial personality, an eloquent speaker, an efficient administrator, a civic worker, and a student of the Bible, possessed the power to draw men unto Christ. During his tenure as pastor, the membership grew steadily and the church organizations flourished. The general organization of the church from 1908-1928 included the Official Board, the Sunday School, the Baptist Young People’s Union, the Missionary Society, and Auxiliaries, the Music Department, the Usher Board, and clubs including Willing Workers, Bright star, Shiny Way, Modem Priscillas, and the Young Matrons (later the Maids and Matrons Club).
During the period from 1909-1920, the growing church reached many Christians, especially people migrating from other towns and cities in Arkansas. Outgrowing the humble wooded structure, Mount Zion made plans for a new edifice. Members and friends donated finance, bricks, labor, fixtures, furnishing and dinners for volunteer laborers. This outstanding cooperative project resulted in the main church building at 908 Cross Street completed in 1925 and dedicated in April 1926.
In 1928, Rev. Caver accepted the pastorate of Bethany Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. He then recommended his successor, Rev. Rot Mayfield, of Homer, Louisiana, who had formerly served as Dean of the Baptist Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee. After two years of service at Mount Zion, Rev. Mayfield resigned and accepted the pastorate of St. John Baptist Church, 26th and Main Streets, Little Rock.
In August 1931, Dr. Frederick T. Guy was called to reorganize the Mt Zion. Dr. Guy once served Mount Zion as assistant pastor during the pastorate of Dr. Caver. At the time of his call, he was pastor of the First Baptist Church, Highland Park of Little Rock, Arkansas. Although hesitant to give up the very devoted membership of First Baptist, he felt a spiritual urge and he accepted the charge in September 1931. Under Dr. Guy’s leadership, the established church organizations were reorganized. New Boards and clubs were added.
The new pastor inherited a sizable mortgage which he, with the cooperation of the Official Board and Members set out to retire. Trustee J.R. Booker provided the legal counsel. In 1942, after many fundraising activities the debt was retired. Dr. Guy had accepted the challenge and had proven himself as an excellent spiritual leader and administrator.
In September 1942, Mount Zion Baptist Church observed another milestone; “The Mortgage Burning.” With prayer, love faith, hope, humility and kindness, Dr. Guy led the church to this historic event. There was one week of prayer programs and giving thanks to God for bringing us thus far along the way. The church purchased a parcel of property adjoining the church on the north. Plans were formulated to erect an education building – a dream becoming reality! Because of greatly increased membership since 1931, the Education Building was need to provide adequate space for Sunday School, Training Union, clubs and auxiliaries. The Pastor and The Official Board studied financial and architectural plans. Upon receiving their official recommendations, the membership accepted them and immediately went into action. The completion of the Fred T. Guy Education Building was a most pleasant accomplishment for this progressive church. The members humbly gave thanks for this outstanding achievement. Twenty-five churches and choirs participated in the dedication services of the new edifice April 17 through May 5, 1952. Some participating churches were from out of the city. Many Baptists of Arkansas were proud to pay homage to the president of the Arkansas Baptist Convention (Consolidated). The Building also provided a nursery for infants and toddlers dedicated in 1954.
After fifty-two illustrious years as Mt Zion’s pastor, Dr. Guy retired in 1983. Among those serving as assistants to the pastor during Dr. Guy’s tenure were: Reverends O.J. Wilson, J.N. Duhart, L.W. Redmond, and W. H. Marley. Rev. Redmond, until his health failed, and then Rev. W.H. Marley also served as Interim Pastor during the search for a new pastor. In September 1984, a new shepherd, Reverend Geroy G. Osborne, was installed. Under his leadership, membership continued to increase. Pastor Osborne established: Evangelism Training, Bible Classes incorporated with Nurture for Baptist Churches, a new Young Adult Bible Class, Introductory Classes for New Members and New Christians ( an adult class and a children’s class), restructured the Board of Christian Education. He also restructured most church organizations to ministries – Young Adult Ministry, Adult Ministry, and Senior Ministry. The Senior Ministry established an exercise class and sponsored annual Silver Teas. The Young Adult and adult Ministries implemented the Fun Under the Tent fellowship. Under his watchful eye, a group of young adults redesigned the Youth Federated organization to a Youth Ministry, which continues to meet on Wednesday evenings. The Youth Ministry’s effort reestablished the Youth Choir and Youth instrumental groups, expanded the W.M.U. Youth department, established Youth Bible study, implemented Wednesday night dinners, established W.M.U. Hands of Praise (Silent signing group), developed Youth Prayer Meetings, sent groups of children to district, state, regional and national meeting as well as encouraged many Christians social activities such as the annual Harvest Festival. Pastor Osborne also established monthly Youth Day services on the fourth Sunday. In 1989, the Tape Ministry Staff was expanded and the reel-to-reel system was upgraded to the sound board currently in use. The Laymen, formerly the Brotherhood, opened a food pantry to benefit the needy in our church and in the community.
The Church continued philanthropy efforts by continuing financial contributions to local charitable service groups like Red Cross, Arkansas Rice Depot and Food distribution. Following the Katrina hurricane in New Orleans and other southern cities, Pastor Osborne quickly responded and created a team of members to serve as needed.
In 1987, the Fellowship Hall was built, furnished and completed. Mount Zion also acquired property just south of the Fellowship Hall at 924 Cross street ( the old Hubble House). Several years later, the Annie B. Davis Jackson Library was enlarged and redecorated, In 2000, the church entered the high technology world by creating the church website, www.mountzionbclittlerock.org. The Bus Ministry established several years ago currently operates a bus and van on an as needed basis to transport members to church services and other functions.
Mount Zion Baptist Church, the third oldest Black Baptist Church in Pulaski County, has been listed on the National Register of historic Places since April 1987. In 2008, after serving as Mt. Zion’s Senior Pastor for (24) twenty-four years, Pastor Geroy Osborne answered a higher calling from the Lord. His ministry had as a mandate: Mission, Evangelism, Stewardship, and Christian Education.
In August 2009, Rev. Rickey Lawson was called as Senior Pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, preaching his first sermon as pastor on September 6, 2009. Rev. Lawson came with a vision for Mt Zion. His Mission Statement for the Church was: A transformed church, transforming lives through the transforming power of God’s word (Romans 12:2). April 2014, Rev. Lawson resigned, and Rev. Shedrick Warren, Jr., served as Interim Pastor until March 2017.
May 21, 2017, we celebrated the Installation of Rev. John Wesley Smith, Jr. as the seventeenth pastor of the historic and spiritually enriched Mount Zion Baptist Church. Rev. Smith resigned in June 2020. Rev. Theodis Howard, in now serving as the Minister-In-Charge.