The story of
mt. zion ame church
History, when recorded accurately, reveals the birth, the growth and the maturity of any institution. It lays bare the facts surrounding the development of the institutions in hopes that those who read its pages will gain deeper insights for future adventure.
mt. zion ame church
Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church was organized ago in the midst of the great crisis. Its charter members were not the richest or the most educated classes, but they were true Christians in the spirit to embrace the religion of Jesus Christ. There were quite a few members living in the Fort Pickering neighborhood who were members of St. Andrew A.M.E. Church. This church was quite a distance away for them to attend regularly so they met and decided to organize a church in their neighborhood. Some of the charter members were Brother Tom Shoolts, Brother and Sister John Jones, Brother Singleton Allen, Brother Moses Jones, Sister Frances Gordan, and Sister Georgia Elby.
The West Tennessee Annual Conference recognized their plea and sent Reverend W. M. Oliver as their first pastor and Reverend W. A. Jewis as their first Presiding Elder. Brother Tom Shoolts and others built the first church at 281 West Illinois avenue in 1890.
As time moved on...
The membership increased. The first unit was the Sunday School with Brother Moses Jones as the Superintendent with one adult class. The choir was organized with Sister Alida Swernigan as president and Sister Sarah Clowar as organist. The Steward and Stewardess Boards were organized with Brother Singleton Allen as Pastor’s Steward and Sister Hattie Jones as president of the Stewardess Board. The Trustee Board was organized with Brother Ed Bennett and others; Brother John Phillips was the first president of the A. C. E. League. All of the organizing was done under the leadership of the first pastor, Reverend W. M. Oliver who pastured Mt. Zion for three years. Under the great giant Reverend W. M. Oliver, Mt. Zion’s membership grew by leaps and bounds.
After Reverend Oliver left, Reverend Kenny came as pastor and served for two years. Then Reverend T. C. Murchison came as pastor. The membership continued to grow under his two-year pastorate. Reverend Kimbrough followed and served two years and Reverend W. A. Lewis as Presiding Elder. Reverend Peagues, who did a great job in remodeling Mt. Zion, came next as pastor and served well but died in his third year. Reverend Waterford came and served four years; Reverend Winston came and served six months. Reverend Hunter came and completed the unexpired term, with Reverend D. H. Butler as Presiding Elder.
Following Reverend Hunter came Reverend I. T. Jefferson who served one year. Reverend W. T. Couch followed, and the membership continued to increase. Mt. Zion made rapid progress under the administration of Reverend Couch who organized new and interesting auxiliaries such as the Deaconess Board with Mrs. Julia Poston, president; Missionary Society, Mrs. Alida Lewis, president; Junior Choir; Usher Board; White Rose Club, Mrs. Josephine High, president; Busy Bee Club, Mrs. Louise Martin, president and others. Reverend Couch served five years than Reverend J.Q. Johnson who served two years with Reverend J. S. Kelly as Presiding Elder.
Following Reverend J. Q. Johnson, Reverend R. H. Vann came and served one year. Reverend F. G. Garrett came and under his administration (from 1939-1945) a new Mt. Zion was erected and dedicated for service April 1944, Easter Sunday, at 118 West Trigg Avenue. Trustees who assisted in the move were Brethren Norris Gilmore, James N. Sanders, Earl Wade, Milton Walker and A. B. Curry.
Reverend W. L. Powell came and served as pastor for one year. Following Reverend Powell cam Reverend J. B. Dove who pastured one year. Next came Reverend J. W. Hall who served four years. Reverend Pruitt was the Presiding Elder. Under Reverend Hall’s administration, church furniture, carpeting, floor furnaces, interior decorating, altar railing, mortgage burning were some of the many works of the church. Following Reverend Hall was Reverend George Contella Borrum who served as pastor for three years. During his pastorate, a parsonage, the first for Mt. Zion was purchased. The Borrum Jewels and the Choral Ensemble were organized along with the Pulpit Club and the Rose of Sharon Club. A water fountain was installed in the church and a sidewalk from the church steps to the street was laid while Reverend Borrum was pastor.
Following Reverend Borrum came Reverend I. T. Jefferson (for the second time) who stayed three years. Reverend J. E. James came and stayed one year; following Reverend James came Reverend M. L. Young who stayed six years. Under Reverend Young’s administration a new piano was bought, and the parsonage was redecorated. Following Reverend Young came Reverend Benjamin R. Booker, Sr. who was a young man with new ideas. During his administration, members were added, a new a roof and a new ceiling were added as well as the church being painted inside and outside. Through his church organization the Youth Movement became more active in the church and produced a youth minister, Reverend Louis-Charles Harvey, who kept the young people active. Reverend Booker planted the seed for moving Mt Zion to a larger place. He served from 1964-1969.
Reverend J. T. Dentham followed Reverend Booker. Reverend Dentham was a dedicated gospel preacher, teacher and administrator. During his pastorate (1970-1975) he organized the Dentham Jewels Sunday School Choir, the Laymen Organization and the Pastor’s Aid Club. Reverend Dentham’s dream was to see a greater Mt. Zion. The church was in the Urban Renewal Area and was sold under his administration. Reverend Dentham did not get a chance to fulfill his dream; he passed away in April 1975.
Reverend S. J. Holley was sent to Mt. Zion after the passing of Reverend Dentham. At this time Mt. Zion was worshipping in a Mission on Third Street near Walker Avenue. He carried the church to the Annual conference and was re-assigned to Mt. Zion for the 1975-1976 Conference Year. Under Reverend Holly’s administration Mt. Zion move to its newly erected church presently located at 42 South Parkway West. Reverend Holley stayed at Mt. Zion three and one-half years from 1975-1978. During his pastorate, Mt. Zion received its first organ, a gift from Mrs. J. T. (Gloria) Dentham in memory of her husband, Reverend Dentham.
Reverend W. E. Mitchell followed Reverend Holley. He served for two years (1978-1980) and the membership flourished. During his pastorate new pews, pulpit furniture, office furniture, dining room tables and chairs were purchased.
In the Annual Conference of 1980. Bishop William Franklin Ball, Sr. assigned Reverend Edward Sturgis to Mt. Zion. He was a renowned personality from Nashville, Tennessee. Under his leadership Mt. Zion made progress and the membership increased. He was a great gospel preacher, singer and musician. He served two years (1980-1982) as a well-informed teacher who was full of anxiety for Mt. Zion.
At the West Tennessee Annual Conference of 1982 in Memphis, Tennessee Bishop William Franklin Ball, Sr. assigned Reverend Otis T. Hooks to Mt. Zion. He was interested in adding new members and working toward Mt. Zion becoming a metropolitan church. Under the leadership of Reverend Hooks, Mt. Zion continued to grow, spiritually and financially. Mt. Zion bought its first copying machine. Reverend Hooks retired at Mt. Zion.
After Reverend Hooks’ retirement, Bishop C. E. Thomas assigned Reverend John E. Madison to Mt. Zion in October of 1987. Reverend Madison did a splendid job of leading Mt. Zion during his tenure. During his first year the church was painted. The following year the glass front doors were installed. That conference year a lighted church sign was erected in front of the church and a second copy machine was purchased. In 1990, Mt. Zion was focusing on expanding the church for further growth. God being our help this dream was in view.
Following Reverend Madison was Reverend Dr. Curtis L. Byrd, Sr. He served from 1991-1999. He had big plans for Mt. Zion. During his administration the Fellowship Hall was added and the Eula L. Fisher Childcare Enrichment Center, ow known as the Mt. Zion Daycare Center, was erected.
Reverend Madison returned in 1999 following Reverend Byrd. He was in a dual position as Presiding Elder of the South Memphis District and the pastor of Mt. Zion. Under his pastorate, Associate Minister Patsy T. Brown and Reverend W. E. Mitchell were brought in.
In September of 2001 Reverend Gary Fair was appointed as pastor. Under his leadership the church purchased 4 new computers, 2 copiers and the parking lot was paved on the west side of the church. He had plans to lead us in a new direction spiritually and in growth.
October of 2006, the West Tennessee Annual Conference sent Reverend Gregory Lynn McCollins, Sr. Under his leadership the church planted new shrubbery, a set of drums were donated, and bars placed on the windows. Also, a security system was implemented, tables and chairs were purchased, a new altar rail was donated and installed as well as hymnals and bibles were donated.
In October of 2011, Reverend Stanley T. Richardson was appointed as pastor. Under his administration flowers were planted and the air conditioning unit was replaced. In October 2019, after Reverend Richardson’s retirement, Rev. David Yancy, II, M.Div. was appointed pastor. Rev. Yancy has plans to lead us to higher heights spiritually, financially and personally.
Some of the ministers who received their ordination while members of Mt. Zion were Reverend Singleton Allen, Reverend Joe Love, Reverend James Lawrence, Reverend H. W. Henning, Reverend Mack Johnson, Reverend E. D. Lewis, Reverend Creed Ashurst, Reverend Cornelius Driver, Reverend Ulysses S. Grant Harvey, Reverend Louis-Charles Harvey, Elder Charlie Morman, Reverend Patsy T. Brown, and Reverend Anthony Hodges. Three Evangelists who were members of Mt. Zion when they received the call were Evangelist Ora Savage, Evangelist Marie Smith, and Evangelist Louis Mabon.
In history we learn that great people make events and moments are propelled by human dynamics. So, you have been told about the Christian Dynamos that pushed through the history of Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church…..their aspirations, their ambitions, and their Christian works. They have each left us a history in which we can be proud.
