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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.
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EXCERPTS FROM OLD MINUTES
In the 1800’s if a member of the church was
accused of dancing, selling or use of liquor,
profanity, arguing between members, or any
kind of misconduct, a charge was brought
against them. A committee of two or
more was appointed to visit them and cite
them to appear before the next conference
meeting. At this time they either confessed
their wrong doing and asked forgiveness or
else they were excluded from the fellowship
of the church. If they confessed they were
forgiven and restored to full fellowship.
Failure to attend church on a regular basis
also resulted in discipline by the church.
Here are some excerpts from old minutes (copied
as they were written):
July 1852—The church met on Thursday before the third Lords’
day in July. After worship
by Bro. Z. Reeves adore was opened for the reception of members
on which a free woman
of collor didere came fored by an experience of grace and was received
in fellowship.
Reference cold for E. Cain (cc) Z. Reeves Moderator.
-The church met on thursday before the third Lords Day in Aug after
worship by Bro Z.
Reeves adore was opend for the reciption of members, received Harday
Cain on apro fition
of his faith in Christ. Z. Reeves Mod. E. Cain (cc)
-The church met on saturday before the fourth Lords day in Aug.
in a meting of day the dore
being opend for the reception of members on which Henry S. Anderson
James M. Cruse
James M McGehee Calvin Temple Elisha W. Nettles Hallay Cotton by
restoration
Elizabeth Ann Cotton Rebeca Cain and Aria a woman of colar Bro Willis
Cotton by request
petition for a letter of dismistion for two one black Bro an sister
to wit Guy and Christian
the clerk was orderd to rite the letter and did soe Z. Reeves
(Mod.) E. Cain (cc)
Feb. 17th, 1854-The church met at Mount Zion on Friday before
the third Sabath in
Feberary and prayer by Bro. M. Whittington Bro. L Reeves preached
and the church entired
into conference the door was opened for reception of members References
call for The
subject of collecting the funs to build the meetting house was taken up by motion of D B Cain there
was a committe of five appointed to make
collection. appointed on said committee:
DB Cain JR Cotton HS Anderson W Cain and
W. Cotton, done in conference L Reeves (Mod)
JR Cotton (cc)
August 26, 1860-After preaching and singing the church opened
for reception of members
at which time George (a man of color, property of C.G. Martin),
Dan, a man of color,
property of Mrs. B.E. Whittington, Squire, a man of color, property
of E.S. Westbrook.
Austin, property of G. Lee, came forward by an experience of grace.
After refreshments
they went to the water where they were baptized by Eld. L. Reeves.
September 10, 1892-Church met and after an able sermon by
our beloved pastor Bro. D.C.
Giving, the church entered into conference. The clerk being
absent, Bro. J.H. McGehee was
appointed protem. Minutes of last read & adopted.
The case of sister Clark was called,
motion, she was excused for her non attendance. Motion, a
charge was referred against
was appointed to cite him to next conference. A letter was
received from sister Hattie
Myres saying that she was guilty of dancing and that she was not
sorry for the same, and
the church could exclude her if they decided proper. Motion
sister Myres was excluded on
a charge of dancing on her own statement. Motion Jessie Myres
was granted a letter of
dismission, W.L. Cain made a statement to the church from Bro. W.D.
Rollins that he had
been living in disorder, asking the church to forgive him, and grant
him a letter of
dismission. By motion his request was granted and he was granted
a letter of dismission.
By motion the church go into a call for pastor for ensuing year.
Bros. P.E. McGehee &
W.C. Lea was appointed as tellers. The election resulted in
the election of Bro. D.H. Cox
for the ensuing yr. Clerk was instructed to notify Bro. Cox
of said election. Motion
conference adjourn. D.C. Giving Mod. J.H. McGehee cc
protem.
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EXCERPT FROM TRANSFER OF DEED
This indenture made this the 2nd day of January A.D. 1838 between Joseph
Robinson Cotten and wife Adalin Cotten of the County of Franklin and State
of Mississippi of the first part and the Mount Zion Church Franklin County
Mississippi of the second part. Witness that the said
party of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of Fifty Dollars
to them in hand duly paid before the delivery hereof hath bargained and
sold and by these present doth grant and convey to the said party of the
second part all that certain parcel of land lying and being on the waters
of Magees Creek in the County of Franklin and State of Mississippi on which
the church house known as the Mount Zion Church Franklin County Mississippi
belonging to the Baptist denomination now stands and which is known and
better described as follows to wit (a detailed legal description of the
land followed)...........It is intended however that this land shall be
for no other purpose than for the use of the Baptist denomination and for
the purpose of securing to them at all times a place for a building to
meet in for the purpose of ownership and to that denomination alone
In witness wherof we have hereunto let our hands and affixed our seals
this the 2nd day of January A.D. 1838
A PARTIAL LIST OF MEMBERS IN 1887
Bates, Cain, Carraway, Chambers, Cloy, Cole,
Cotten, Cotton, Cruise, Day, Everett, Fenn,
Flemming, Freeman, Gammil, Gammill, Gill,
Godbolt, Herington, Hingley, Holland, Hughes,
Hunt, Imes, Jones, Lambright, Lard, Lea,
Lee, Mars, McGehee, McManus, Montgomery,
Morgan, Mullins, Murry, Myers, Temple, Temples,
Thompson, Wactor, Weathersby, Westbrook,Whitington,
Wilkinson, Williams, Wroten, Young.
New Names in 1889
Adams, Anderson, Bowlin, Bradshaw, Bruce,
Byrd, Carroll, Clark, Davis, Hutto, Jordan,
Journigan, Marsh, Melton, McDonnel, McMenis,
McStephen, Page, Pickett, Poter, Rollins,
Seal, Scott, Smith, Strong, Sudduth.
New Names in 1890
Bailey, Buttler, Lowe, Oglesby, Owens, Rainwater (Total members—251)
1820-1824 Roland Wilkinson
1825-1826 Asa S. Mercer
1827-1832 James Cain
1833-1834 E. Young
1835-1838 L. Reeves
1839 E. Young & L. Reeves
1840-1842 L. Reeves
1843-1845 Z. Reeves
1846-1849 Jessie Young
1850 R. Wilkinson
1851-1853 Z. Reeves
1854-1861 L. Reeves
1862-1871 Z. Reeves
1872-1877 S. Bufkin
1887-1888 R.N. Hall
1889-1891 D.H. Cox
1892 D.A. Givings
1893-1895 R.G. Stewart
1896-1899 J.E. Lowe
1900 J.B. Lawrence
1900-1903 J.B. Quinn
1904-1909 T.J. Barksdale
1910-1911 Willie McGehee
1912-1913 J.R. Johnston
1914-1919 B.L. McKee
1920 F.G. Polk
1921-1923 W.A. Green
1924-1925 G.C. Sidenspinner
1926 Charles C. Magee
1927 J.R. Haynie
1928-1930 J.B. Hemphill
1931 W.L. Holcomb
1932-1937 Phiffer Porter
1938-1943 W.W. Kaysre
1944 S.G. Pope
1945-1950 W.A. Green
1951-1952 J.E. Moak
1952-1953 Jimmie Dykes
1954-1955 George Mosley
1956-1960 T.H. Maxwell
1960-1961 H.L. Deer
1962-1965 J.O. Hemphill
1966-1967 Byron Stringer
1968-1973 Ernest G. McKay
1974-1975 Ken Marler
1975-1976 Al Hodges
1976-1978 Charlie Hawthorne
1978-1980 Phil Newton
1980-1983 John Adams
1983-Present Marvin Howard, Jr.
BAD CHURCH MANNERS
1. Writing and passing notes
2. Giggling and whispering
3. Moving about unnecessarily
4. Talking loudly before and after services
5. Putting on wraps during invitation and leaving during invitation
6. Talking during first song
7. Reading a story during service
8. Loud talking or visiting too long at door
9. Chewing gum or passing candy around
10. Gazing about or laughing during prayer
11. Laughing at those who make mistakes
12. Marking song books or in any way injuring church furniture and
seats
SUBJECT—CHURCH MEMBERS
There are four classes of church members:
the tired, the retired, the tiresome, and
the tireless.
The tired are those who are carrying a heavy load
and are getting burned out. They are
doing more and enjoying it less. The
retired are those who have decided it was time to
let someone else do it. The tiresome are the critical, negative people who are
always stirring up trouble. The tireless are those who work in the strength of the
Lord and who are not burned out but rather
are on fire for the Lord. God’s work
is accomplished when all of these groups
come together under the Lordship of Christ.
YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
Where Do You Fit In?
In every church there are 6 classes of people
Those who cause things to happen
Those who watch things happen
Those who hope things will happen
Those who don’t care if anything happens
Those who don’t know anything is happening
Those who hope nothing will happen because it will put them on
the spot!
It’s the people, not the steeple that makes the church. Where
do you fit in?
People do not miss church services because they live too far from the
building; it is because they live too far from God!
Each year that God gives us to live consists of 8,760 hours.
To waste one of those hours is to throw away a glittering diamond that
you will never find. To waste one of them each day is to throw away
365 precious diamonds. To fill those precious hours with meaningless
things is as wasteful as to throw them away. All too soon our time
here will be done. These words found on a clock in Switzerland remind
us of this very pointedly: “When as a child I laughed and wept, Time
crept. When as a youth I dreamed and talked, Time walked. When
I became a full-grown man, Time ran. When older still I grew, Time
flew. Soon I shall find in traveling on, Time gone.”
A bird does not sing because it has an answer, it sings because it
has a song.
Courage in people is like a tea bag:
you never know their strength until they
get in hot water.
“Thought”—We are four people:
1. The one we think we are.
2. The one others think
we are.
3. The one we are.
4. The one God knows we
really are.
A rumor is about as hard to unspread as melted butter.
If the moon paid attention to barking dogs it would stop shining.