Smithdale
Mississippi
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Mt. Zion Baptist Church
History:
In 1970 Mt. Zion Baptist Church celebrated it's 150th anniversary. The following is a history of the church put together by Mr. & Mrs. Prentiss Hutto with additions to reflect the 25 years since then.
Under the golden canopy of heaven, near the sparkling stream of water, on top of a hill, at the end of the road, sits the faithful old church of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Franklin County, Mississippi. These sacred grounds were found by the early settlers when they came here about the year 1800 or shortly thereafter. This place was selected where they could worship the true and living God. A log building was erected and was then known as Mt. Zion Meeting House. Records show that Mt. Zion was organized January 22, 1820 at the Meeting House. At the time of the first meeting there were 23 members and on the day of organization there were 17 of these members present. The preacher in charge on that day was Roland Wilkinson, the first pastor of Mt. Zion.
A few pages were missing from the first book of minutes, but later pages revealed the names of some of the first members Roland Wilkinson, pastor; Thomas Swearingen, M. Murray, Loyd Temples, Alfred Temples, Adam Cloy, Calvin Magee, James Cain, AdamCotton, Joseph Cotton, H.S. Anderson, the Youngs, the Byrds, the Clarks, and Russel Jones.
The records from the abstract history of the Mississippi Baptist Association 1806 to 1906 and minutes at the Archives and History of Mississippi College, Clinton, Mississippi, show that Mt. Zion attended associational meetings before being formally received into the association in 1820. Mt. Zion Baptist Church was received into the Association at Zion Hill Baptist Church on October 14, 1820. The first delegates to the association on that day were Thomas Swearingen and M. Murray. The records show that Mt. Zion Baptist Church was incorporated April, 1836 by Joseph Cotton. James Cain, pastor of the church from 1827- 1832, obtained a deed from the U.S. Government for the land which was 39.56 acres. The probate court at Meadville, Mississippi, shows that Joseph R. Cotton and wife, Adline Cotton, were the owners and Mt. Zion Baptist Church purchased this land for the sum of $50.00. The deed was given January 2, 1858 from Joseph R. Cotton and wife, Adline Cotton. Records state that James Cain, Mt. Zion's second pastor came from North Carolina, joined Zion Hill Baptist Church in 1812, was licensed to preach in 1820, and pastored Mt. Zion from 1827-1832. The minutes show that he died in 1834. Today Mt. Zion has in her possession a Bible that was used by James Cain in 1807 and belongs to Mrs. Lola Cain Hyman.
Mt. Zion's 100th anniversary was held in the spring of 1920 in the old frame building which had replaced the log building years earlier. Records do not show when the frame building was built. By word of mouth we have come to understand that during this period the pulpit was on the west side and in later years was moved to the north end of the church. Brother B.L. McKee from Liberty was pastor at the time of the 100th anniversary.
In 1921 the church decided to build a new church building, which is the present building. This building was erected on the east side of the old building and the old building was sold to the late Hiriams Holl who tore the building down and built a dwelling house on the old Mullins place. The contractor in charge of the erection of the new building was Mr. Moak from near Bogue Chitto. Some of those members who put in dedicated service during this time were the late M.C. McGehee, Sr., the late William Cain, and the late Tom Pickett. Records state that Mr. Pickett sawed the long overhead ceiling timbers at his saw mill near Little Springs and brought them on a log wagon with a team of oxen. The first revival was held in this building the first Sunday in August, 1921. The building was financed by a note or loan from the bank in Gloster.
The late W.A. Green was called as pastor at Mt. Zion in 1921 and served faithfully until 1923. In 1923 Mt. Zion faced a period of financial strain. It seemed as if the church would have to turn its keys over to the bank because the note was past due. After a conference meeting on that Sunday, Mrs. Laura Cain McGehee led the church in a prayer meeting. On the following Wednesday Mr. Willie Cain received a visit from a cousin in Texas. He had come home to visit relatives and during this time he visited Mt. Zion where he was told about the financial condition of the church. Because of Mr. Hiriam Cain's love for the church, he wrote a check for $500.00 to pay the note. The church minutes state that Mr. Hiriam Cain joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 1890.Records show that Mt. Zion Baptist Church has experienced many wonderful times. Mt. Zion has battled these 150 years by the faithful work of its members who have been led by the Holy Spirit.
The history of Mt. Zion would not be complete if the cemetery was not mentioned. The grave with the small wrought iron fence was the 3rd or 4th grave placed in the cemetery. The inscription reads, "In memory of Sarah McCall, wife of D.B. Cain, born in Franklin County, Mississippi, died June 17, 1833, age 20 years." This grave was placed here 137 years ago. Mrs. Lola Cain Hyman initiated concern for a fence and through this concern and with her efforts, a fence was erected around the cemetery in 1932.
Since the above church history was written in 1970 God has continued to lead Mt. Zion forward. Among the highlights are a new fence around the cemetery, air conditioning in the old educational wing, and a brand new fellowship hall that was constructed from March to August, 1986. The note for the fellowship hall was burned on August 6, 1992 in a ceremony in front of the building.
In October of 1984 Mt. Zion, in partnership with First Baptist Church, Slaughter, Louisiana, started a mission church that is now Wakefield Baptist Church. Since 1983 church members have been involved in various ministries including the Meadville Nursing Home, the Franklin Memorial Hospital Swing Bed program, the Senior Care Unit at the hospital, and prison ministry at the Pike County Work Center. Mt. Zion has also been involved in Mission Vacation Bible Schools among the Choctaw Indians in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and the black churches in Franklin County and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This work was documented in a video that was produced by the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board and is currently being shown in various conferences all over the state of Mississippi and in Tennessee.
Mt. Zion has been blessed with good pastors that God used to lay a foundation of love and unity. One such pastor, Bro. John Adams (1980-83), is the great great great grandson of Loyd Temples, a charter member of the church. In 1991 our current pastor, Marvin Howard, was named "Small Church Pastor of the Year" in Mississippi by the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board. He, along with one of our members (Billy Wayne Sullivan), had the privilege of going on a church-planting mission to Zimbabwe, Africa, in October and November of 1994. Two new churches in the African "bush" were started as a result of that effort. God has allowed this little church on a ridge in the woods of Southwest Mississippi to carry the gospel to its immediate community, Franklin County, the State of Mississippi, and the world.
As of this writing we have a new (to us) van that was donated by a family in the church. This is the third bus that has rolled under the Mt. Zion banner. We have also recently installed a new lift to minister to the handicapped and elderly and have a new baptistry that was financed with funds that Idelle Temple left in her will for Mt. Zion.
Though sometimes things have been low, God has always blessed this church and kept its doors opened. On this 178th year of Mt. Zion's existence as a Body of Believers we praise the Lord for His faithfulness to us and pray that we, as a church body, will continue to pass the baton of faith on to others.
In 1970 Mt. Zion Baptist Church celebrated it's 150th anniversary. The following is a history of the church put together by Mr. & Mrs. Prentiss Hutto with additions to reflect the 25 years since then.
Under the golden canopy of heaven, near the sparkling stream of water, on top of a hill, at the end of the road, sits the faithful old church of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Franklin County, Mississippi. These sacred grounds were found by the early settlers when they came here about the year 1800 or shortly thereafter. This place was selected where they could worship the true and living God. A log building was erected and was then known as Mt. Zion Meeting House. Records show that Mt. Zion was organized January 22, 1820 at the Meeting House. At the time of the first meeting there were 23 members and on the day of organization there were 17 of these members present. The preacher in charge on that day was Roland Wilkinson, the first pastor of Mt. Zion.
A few pages were missing from the first book of minutes, but later pages revealed the names of some of the first members Roland Wilkinson, pastor; Thomas Swearingen, M. Murray, Loyd Temples, Alfred Temples, Adam Cloy, Calvin Magee, James Cain, AdamCotton, Joseph Cotton, H.S. Anderson, the Youngs, the Byrds, the Clarks, and Russel Jones.
The records from the abstract history of the Mississippi Baptist Association 1806 to 1906 and minutes at the Archives and History of Mississippi College, Clinton, Mississippi, show that Mt. Zion attended associational meetings before being formally received into the association in 1820. Mt. Zion Baptist Church was received into the Association at Zion Hill Baptist Church on October 14, 1820. The first delegates to the association on that day were Thomas Swearingen and M. Murray. The records show that Mt. Zion Baptist Church was incorporated April, 1836 by Joseph Cotton. James Cain, pastor of the church from 1827- 1832, obtained a deed from the U.S. Government for the land which was 39.56 acres. The probate court at Meadville, Mississippi, shows that Joseph R. Cotton and wife, Adline Cotton, were the owners and Mt. Zion Baptist Church purchased this land for the sum of $50.00. The deed was given January 2, 1858 from Joseph R. Cotton and wife, Adline Cotton. Records state that James Cain, Mt. Zion's second pastor came from North Carolina, joined Zion Hill Baptist Church in 1812, was licensed to preach in 1820, and pastored Mt. Zion from 1827-1832. The minutes show that he died in 1834. Today Mt. Zion has in her possession a Bible that was used by James Cain in 1807 and belongs to Mrs. Lola Cain Hyman.
Mt. Zion's 100th anniversary was held in the spring of 1920 in the old frame building which had replaced the log building years earlier. Records do not show when the frame building was built. By word of mouth we have come to understand that during this period the pulpit was on the west side and in later years was moved to the north end of the church. Brother B.L. McKee from Liberty was pastor at the time of the 100th anniversary.
In 1921 the church decided to build a new church building, which is the present building. This building was erected on the east side of the old building and the old building was sold to the late Hiriams Holl who tore the building down and built a dwelling house on the old Mullins place. The contractor in charge of the erection of the new building was Mr. Moak from near Bogue Chitto. Some of those members who put in dedicated service during this time were the late M.C. McGehee, Sr., the late William Cain, and the late Tom Pickett. Records state that Mr. Pickett sawed the long overhead ceiling timbers at his saw mill near Little Springs and brought them on a log wagon with a team of oxen. The first revival was held in this building the first Sunday in August, 1921. The building was financed by a note or loan from the bank in Gloster.
The late W.A. Green was called as pastor at Mt. Zion in 1921 and served faithfully until 1923. In 1923 Mt. Zion faced a period of financial strain. It seemed as if the church would have to turn its keys over to the bank because the note was past due. After a conference meeting on that Sunday, Mrs. Laura Cain McGehee led the church in a prayer meeting. On the following Wednesday Mr. Willie Cain received a visit from a cousin in Texas. He had come home to visit relatives and during this time he visited Mt. Zion where he was told about the financial condition of the church. Because of Mr. Hiriam Cain's love for the church, he wrote a check for $500.00 to pay the note. The church minutes state that Mr. Hiriam Cain joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 1890.Records show that Mt. Zion Baptist Church has experienced many wonderful times. Mt. Zion has battled these 150 years by the faithful work of its members who have been led by the Holy Spirit.
The history of Mt. Zion would not be complete if the cemetery was not mentioned. The grave with the small wrought iron fence was the 3rd or 4th grave placed in the cemetery. The inscription reads, "In memory of Sarah McCall, wife of D.B. Cain, born in Franklin County, Mississippi, died June 17, 1833, age 20 years." This grave was placed here 137 years ago. Mrs. Lola Cain Hyman initiated concern for a fence and through this concern and with her efforts, a fence was erected around the cemetery in 1932.
Since the above church history was written in 1970 God has continued to lead Mt. Zion forward. Among the highlights are a new fence around the cemetery, air conditioning in the old educational wing, and a brand new fellowship hall that was constructed from March to August, 1986. The note for the fellowship hall was burned on August 6, 1992 in a ceremony in front of the building.
In October of 1984 Mt. Zion, in partnership with First Baptist Church, Slaughter, Louisiana, started a mission church that is now Wakefield Baptist Church. Since 1983 church members have been involved in various ministries including the Meadville Nursing Home, the Franklin Memorial Hospital Swing Bed program, the Senior Care Unit at the hospital, and prison ministry at the Pike County Work Center. Mt. Zion has also been involved in Mission Vacation Bible Schools among the Choctaw Indians in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and the black churches in Franklin County and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This work was documented in a video that was produced by the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board and is currently being shown in various conferences all over the state of Mississippi and in Tennessee.
Mt. Zion has been blessed with good pastors that God used to lay a foundation of love and unity. One such pastor, Bro. John Adams (1980-83), is the great great great grandson of Loyd Temples, a charter member of the church. In 1991 our current pastor, Marvin Howard, was named "Small Church Pastor of the Year" in Mississippi by the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board. He, along with one of our members (Billy Wayne Sullivan), had the privilege of going on a church-planting mission to Zimbabwe, Africa, in October and November of 1994. Two new churches in the African "bush" were started as a result of that effort. God has allowed this little church on a ridge in the woods of Southwest Mississippi to carry the gospel to its immediate community, Franklin County, the State of Mississippi, and the world.
As of this writing we have a new (to us) van that was donated by a family in the church. This is the third bus that has rolled under the Mt. Zion banner. We have also recently installed a new lift to minister to the handicapped and elderly and have a new baptistry that was financed with funds that Idelle Temple left in her will for Mt. Zion.
Though sometimes things have been low, God has always blessed this church and kept its doors opened. On this 178th year of Mt. Zion's existence as a Body of Believers we praise the Lord for His faithfulness to us and pray that we, as a church body, will continue to pass the baton of faith on to others.