OUR HISTORY

Our History

The Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church was organized on July 17, 1947 by pastors Rev. T. Moore King, former pastor of Second Baptist Church, Rev. C.G. Holston, former pastor of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. John Clayton and Rev. Harris of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. During this organization, there was a membership of eight. A short time later, Rev. R. G. Gates was elected pastor. Under his leadership the church grew to one hundred and sixty-five members and the church basement was built.  Rev. Gates served as pastor for two and a half years. On July 11, 1951 the church elected Rev. L.D. Davenport. On July 15, 1952, Rev. James W. Hill was elected pastor. Under his leadership many of the church auxiliaries were organized. Two hundred and forty additional members were added to the congregation. Rev. Hill served as pastor until his death on July 13, 1961.

On December 11, 1961 Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton, Sr. was elected pastor. Under his leadership several new ministries were established. More than sixteen ministers were ordained of which eight are pastors of their own church. A new sanctuary and Family Life Center was built to further the ministry.

On March 31, 2009 Rev. Singleton became the Pastor Emeritus of this great ministry. February 2011, the Mt Zion family celebrated the home going of this great man of God.

On May 10, 2009, Rev. Dr. David G. Latimore joined our ministry to serve as Senior Pastor. Under Dr. Latimore’s leadership Congregational Care and three Pastoral positions were established. Six associate ministers had been licensed. The church expanded its exposure in Joliet and the Chicago area by hosting community wide worship experiences at Silver Cross Field and Bicentennial Park. Dr. Latimore served until July 2018.

We are blessed by God’s continued favor of our ministry through the work of Rev. Dr. Curtis T. Bryant Jr. Dr. Bryant began his tenure at Mt. Zion in 2017 while serving as the Youth Pastor. On February 9, 2020, Dr. Bryant was received by the congregation as Senior Pastor. 

Dr. Bryant’s vision is to continue to lead Mt. Zion as a community-driven ministry that celebrates putting family first. Under Dr. Bryant’s leadership, the church has engaged the nation through outreach including gas and grocery card giveaways, a diaper drive for new mothers, back-2-school shoe drive for students, and a water drive for Jackson, Mississippi residents.

To God be the Glory for all that He has done for Mt. Zion, and for all He will do through Mt. Zion.