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Church Historical Sketch:  1864 to Present

In September of 1864, under the pastorate of Rev. Jerry Jones, the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church was founded by former slaves.  Due to limited resources, the Baptist and Methodist members of the Acworth community shared the same sanctuary and alternated fellowship Sundays.  We continue to share in Homecoming Services and other activities each year with Bethel AME Church, the church that we shared space with in the beginning.  On odd years, the service is at Bethel with Zion Hill bringing the message, and during even years, the service is at Zion Hill with Bethel bringing the message.

Through prayer and perseverance, the Zion Hill congregation was able to move to a new building one mile from town on Southside Drive.  The founders built this sanctuary with rough, unfinished lumber, which was also used to make the pews and window shutters.  The Deacons would make sure that the church was always ready for worship service on Sundays by getting the wood burning stove hot in the winter so worshippers could stay warm.  This was before we had central air conditioning and heating, and indoor toilets.  They would ring the old church bell when worship service was about to begin.  During those times, the members would walk for miles to worship in the house of the Lord.  They brought oil lanterns to light their way when darkness fell on their way home from church.  They had a whole lot less than we have today, but their faith and their commitment to service and worshipping the Lord are a testimony for us all to follow. 

As God continued to bless the church, Zion Hill moved into its present location on Taylor Street under the leadership of Rev. S. H. Jackson in 1914.  With God's blessings, the congregation moved into the building debt free.  In spite of their low income conditions, they were able to maintain a parsonage which was located across the street from the church.  As time passed, Zion Hill acquired the property where the church parking lot is located.  In 2002 we purchased the property across the street next to the Worthy home which is used for overflow parking.

Today, Zion Hill's ministries include Adult and Youth Bible Study, Youth Peer Group Rap Sessions, Sunday School, Tutorial Program, Music Ministry (3 choirs and Praise Dancers), and Missions Ministry which includes the Angel Food Ministry.

Zion Hill has been blessed with the courageous leadership of several God fearing Pastors who dedicated themselves to the service of God’s people:

  • Rev. Jerry Jones

  • Rev. S. H. Jackson

  • Rev. Cyrus Brown

  • Rev. Daniel Humphries

  • Rev. W.F. Paschal

  • Rev. C.R. Weldon

  • Rev. W.J. White

  • Rev. S.E. Gore

  • Rev. L.H. Barber

  • Rev. J.H. Daniel

  • Rev. P.S. Williams

  • Rev. J.C. Carter

  • Rev. J.O. Montford

  • Rev. Leon Bradshaw

  • Rev. M. Sparks

  • Rev. Roger Walker

  • Rev. Hill Lamar

  • Rev. Robert E. Brown

  • Rev. Dr. Frank W. Johnson, Jr., Pastor

 

 

Thirteen preachers have accepted the call to the Gospel Ministry at Zion Hill:

 

  • Rev. Dr. Jimmy Griffin                                     

  • Minister Ricky Bradshaw

  • Minister Clarence E. Hill, III

  • Rev. Richard Bell

  • Pastor Lawrence T. Houston

  • Rev. Michael Rudolph

  • Rev. Victoria Johnson

  • Rev. Alycia Brown

  • Rev. Bessie Furr

  • Minister Larry Banks      

  • Minister Marcus Tucker

  • Minister Rosie Pearson

  • Rev. Amos Durr

  • Minister Larry Griffin

  • Rev. Beverly Patton

 

In addition, three experienced preachers who united with Zion Hill in the past have gone on to Pastor other churches:

  • Rev. Mark Redmond                        Rev. Benjamin Mays                   Elder Wanda Holmes-Brooks

 

Four experienced preachers united with Zion Hill:

  • Rev. Deborah Bennett

  • Rev. Sammy Beasley

  • Rev. Derrick Nunn

  • Rev. Michael Meredith​​

Our current Pastor, Rev. Dr. Frank W. Johnson, Jr., was called to serve in November 2004 as the Interim-Pastor.  Since his arrival, he has shown great love for Zion Hill.   Zion Hill installed Pastor Johnson and the Johnson family on June 12, 2005.  He believes that God's Word is faithful and true, and he has higher ground and higher heights for Zion Hill in the future.

 

5th Anniversary

10th Anniversary

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