Humans do not make history. History is created by God’s divine plan and by His divine and will. History cannot be un-lived, nor erased even by those of us who try. This condensed version of Mount Zion’s history is excerpted from the book We’ve Come This Far by Faith28: From Balcony to Blessing. This short synopsis demonstrates how Mount Zion Baptist Church originated as a part of God’s divine plan.

Mount Zion Baptist Church, recognized as the Mother Church of other African-American Baptist Churches of Griffin, traces its roots to the 1850s. It began in the balcony of the First Baptist Church, where our enslaved forebearers who wished to attend religious services were permitted to worship. After Emancipation, they were allowed to meet separately as a group, gathering in the church basement for worship. Our own Sister Catherine Smith recalled that her grandmother remembered worshipping in the basement as a child. A Reverend Owens was appointed by First Baptist to lead this group, which ultimately became Mount Zion Baptist Church.

A deed recorded in the Spalding County Courthouse showed that in December of 1867, a group of deacons purchased a lot at the corner of Solomon and New Orleans (which is now North Ninth) Streets, where the first church building was constructed. First Baptist had encouraged the congregation to vacate the basement as soon as possible. Reverend Daniel Wilson (a literate freedman) was the pastor. It should be noted that Mount Zion Baptist Church began just two years after the War that Emancipated Enslaved Persons. By the grace of God, the newly freed were able to achieve this courageous and costly task. In 1909, the Solomon Street/New Orleans structure was replaced on the same site with a larger, more accommodating building.

On November 20, 1927, during Reverend Emory Moses Johnson’s pastorate, the church was destroyed by fire. Griffin Daily News headlines for Monday, November 21, 1927 published “ Mount Zion Baptist Church Destroyed by Fire.” A subheading noted that the church will rebuild. Worship services were temporarily held at Cabin Creek High School. Soon after, the church was rebuilt at Fourth and Taylor Streets. Reverend Johnson later resigned to accept a position in Atlanta, and Reverend L.R. Walker became pastor, serving for seven years. Reverend Charles Williams succeeded him, followed by Reverend Joel King, the youngest brother of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Senior.

Over the years, 15 ministers succeeded Reverend Wilson as pastor of Mount Zion to include the Reverend Olden Hixon Stinson, who pastored 35 years. Under his guidance, the church building was constructed and fully paid for. His tenure from 1943 until his passing on January 21, 1977, was marked by steadfast leadership and dedication to the church’s growth.

On November 27, 1977, Reverend Doctor Cleopatrick Lacy succeeded Reverend Stinson, becoming the longest-serving pastor in the church’s history. Under his leadership, Mount Zion experienced significant progress, including the addition of the Deacon’s Ministry, Church Staff, and Parsonage. A Legal Ministry for the poor and indigent was established in 1979 in partnership with Georgia Legal Services. Other ministry expansions included the creation of a Bus Ministry and the acquisition of the Willis Building and Property which was paid off in 1990 and the Kelsey School Property which was paid off in 2002. Reverend Doctor Lacy served the church for 47 years.

The Rites of Passage Program for grades 3–5 was launched in 1998, followed by the incorporation of Zion’s Educational Programs (ZEP) in 2001–2002, which included forming a Board of Directors to guide the program. In 2002, the Angel Food Ministry was added as part of Mount Zion’s 38 ministries, serving both local and global missions.

Reverend Keynon L. Jackson, a New York native, assumed the role of Under-Shepherd on October 6, 2025. The church has witnessed growth both spiritually and numerically, under the brief time of his leadership. Pastor Key (as he prefers to be called) has a heart for multigenerational worship as he works to blend traditional models with a Bible-based contemporary flare to accommodate various worship needs. Heralded as a gifted teacher and visionary, his desire is to equip disciples of Jesus Christ to serve this present age in an ever-changing world.

Under his leadership, a new logo has been adopted, the social media pages are thriving, the church’s website has been reconstructed. Wednesday Bible studies take place at noon in addition to hybrid sessions in the evening. With the aid of the Holy Spirit, the soil is being laid for the growth and development of Mount Zion to continue to flourish in the 21st century.

My sisters and brothers, Mount Zion’s history is a testament to faith, perseverance and God’s providence. Bless His Righteous and Holy Name.