Zion Hill History
1920s
In June 1923, Zion Hill Baptist Church was born and named by Rev. Benjamin J. Franklin after his home church in Cleveland, Ohio. The first pastor called to Zion Hill was Rev. James H. Holder of Cleveland, Ohio. Under Rev. Holder’s leadership, he established Sunday School and Baptist Young People’s Union (or commonly called Baptist Training Union-BTU).
Church membership grew and the church was able to purchase a church building at 22nd Street & Central Avenue in Los Angeles, CA. On May 24, 1924, Zion Hill Baptist Church was officially sanctioned as a Religious Corporation, within the State of California. After Rev. Holder left Zion Hill about four years later, Rev. Ned Jones, was the second Zion Hill pastor, for about a year.
Then in 1928, Rev. Grant Harris became the third pastor of Zion Hill. During his first year, the second church building was constructed at 1319 East 22nd Street.
1930s
Rev. Grant Harris had a love for young people. He and his wife (affectionately called Ma’ Harris) hosted young people in their home on East 43rd Street, near Central Avenue. On many Sunday afternoons, Teenagers would sing around the piano at the Harris home.
Among the young people in the Zion Hill family were the Smith sisters, Mable, Cecile and Carrie; Albertha Martin, Charles Collins, Beatrice Battle and her brother Robert; Fred Battle, Warren Harding Williams; Verdell and Maudie D. Richardson and Annie Mae Bell. Rev. Harris permanently impacted the lives of these young people as he united the following couples in marriage: Fred &Albertha Battle, Charles &Cecile Collins, Lynton & Mable Pate.
Mrs. Harris taught Sunday School to teen girls. During the 1930’s those teenage girls had a Social Club. In 1939, they invited Lena Horne to an afternoon program, and she graced the congregation with a song.
1940s
In November 1945, partly due to a significant influx of people, Rev. Harris led the congregation in the purchase of its third church home. The joy felt by the members as they marched from 22nd Street to 5025 McKinley Avenue, Los Angeles for their first 11:00 a.m. Worship Service, in their new home was unexplainable. What a blessing. This move allowed room for rapid growth and after sixteen months, the mortgage was paid off, thus saving the Zion Hill Church $10,000.00.
1950s
On Sunday, May 21, 1950, Dr. Timothy Moses Chambers, Sr. and his family were officially welcomed to Zion Hill in the presence of 2,500 people. They received a letter of Felicitation sent via airmail special delivery by President Harry S. Truman.
Because of the phenomenal growth of the membership, Dr. Chambers and the officers decided to “renovate, remodel and provide the physical plant with the most modern equipment. “The construction project symbolically began on July 31, 1951. One year later, the first worship service in the newly remodeled building was held on Sunday, February 11, 1952.
Upon completion of the project, the church physical plant was easily valued at a quarter-million dollars, an exceptional amount for1951. Rev. Chambers and the ZH music ministry could be heard on Sunday evenings, on radio station KGER for the “Sweet Hour of Prayer” broadcast. later, he led the church in:
- Purchasing two Crown Coach 46 passenger busses
- Burning its second mortgage on June 8, 1958
- Overseeing the Zion Hill Reasoner, a monthly magazine as Editor-in-Chief
Young people were of paramount importance to Zion Hill. Some of today’s members in their 7O’s and 80’s have lasting memories shared by some of the “kids from old Zion Hill. “Bonds developed through fellowship in B.Y.F., scouting, baseball, basketball, performing in plays, ushering/doorkeeping, singing in the choir, musical workshops, attending M.A.T.E. activities and being involved with youth from other churches through conferences, associations and convention meetings, still exist today.
Adults who worked with the young people were Joseph and lstria Ross (affectionately known as Papa and Mama Ross), Ms. Christola Tatum, Mrs. Maurietta Tuck, Mrs. Cornelia Clay, Mr. Carroll Proby, Mr. Bates, Mr. Warren Harding Williams, Deacon McQuen, Mr. Curry, Mr. George Tubbs, Mr. Wright and Mr. Elmo Bank
1960s
Exemplifying the civic conscience of Zion Hill, Sunday, July 9, 1961 was Ellis and Jefferson Thomas Day honoring Jefferson Thomas who was one of the first nine students to integrate Central High School in little Rock, AR, known as theLittleRock9. In addition, Zion Hill supported, and continues to support, the NAACP regularly, to this day. Furthermore, Malcom X and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would frequent Zion Hill to listen to witness each other’s speeches. On
October 23, 1966, Dr. Bernilee Faison became the fifth pastor of Zion Hill. He was installed on December 11, 1966. He hit the ground preaching, teaching and training. The Six Commissions became the biblical foundation of Zion Hill’s ministry: Fellowship, Citizenship, Missions, Stewardship, Worship and Evangelism.
Additionally, the following was formed:
- Board of Christian Education
- Men’s Fellowship, Women’s Fellowship, Children’s Fellowship, Birthday Fellowship
- In 1969, the Zion Hill Federal Credit Union was organized-First Lady Mattie Faison, Elma Williams, Jamie Busby, Bro. Hurley, Curly Robinson
1970s
Because of space limitations on 51st and McKinley caused by the expanded ministry, it became apparent that a new physical structure was needed. So Dr. Faison and Rev. Nolan Williams drove to 7860 Tenth Avenue, Los Angeles, CA.
Dr. Faison felt that this was the building that the Lord had given to Zion Hill. January 1, 1971, the Zion Hill had a new home. The transportation ministry was established to bring the senior members to church who would otherwise not have transportation.
During the Faison years, many innovative changes occurred in the life of Zion Hill. Mrs. Mildred Williams became the first woman to serve on the deacon and trustee boards. She was followed by Mrs. Catrina Steward. Mrs. Sedalia Buford, who chaired the Board of Trustees, to date many women have chaired the chu rches’ official boards.
Mr. Fred Hammond, Jr. became the first Young Adult Deacon. Mr. Douglas Brown, Sr. became the youngest member of Zion Hill to serve, as a deacon. With teaching in the forefront, all-church institutes, retreats, conferences, the Pastor’s Wednesday Bible Class and Saturday worship were convened. Also, Reachout, a quarterly magazine began publication in December 1973 with our pastor Dr. Bernilee Faison, as Editor-in-Chief.
1980s
Zion Hill continued its civic involvement by supporting the NAACP and the Castle Drug Program. On March 8, 1983, the Faison Community Corporation (FCC) was formed as a not-for-profit organization to retire the debt owed on the church building. Zion Hill again commemorated another mortgage burning when the FCC loaned the money to pay off the United Church of Inglewood.
1990s
In February 1995 Dr. Bernilee Faison passed. During the interim period following Dr. Faison’s passing Mr. Herbert Craig and Mr. Elmo Banks served as an apt leadership team. On June 1, 1997, Dr. Tony Lloyd Lewis became Zion Hill’s sixth pastor. The service of installation was held on Sunday, July 13, 1997.
Dr. Lewis had a love for the Youth. He created: Pizza with the pastor, All-Saints Eve celebration, Back-to-School Pray and Praise rallies, Friday Night gym fellowship that was open to community youth, Annual Youth Life Explosions, Pastor’s 3.0 Club-recognize and support students who maintain a 3.0 grade point average in school. The Scholarship Ministry was established to give scholarships to graduating high school seniors as well as supporting them throughout their college careers. The T. Lloyd Lewis Learning Center became available for students to access technology and tutoring, in all academic subjects. Furthermore, every third Sunday since September 21, 1997, the Youth have been involved in Youth Emphasis Sunday (Y.E.S.) at Zion Hill, where they lead all aspects of the Worship Service. And Children’s Church was held on the second Sunday in the prayer chapel. Two Youth Pastors, Rev. Lee Zachary Maxey and Rev. Roland Rudd assisted the children and youth along with Carolyn Battle, Darlene Byrd, Christal Henry-Smith, Deborah Harris, Rozz Lewis, Felicia Richardson and Deborah Tubbs.
In addition to the emphasis on youth, some very vital areas of ministry were active: The Senior Citizen Ministry, known as the Keen-Agers, Young Adult Fellowship (18-39), “A Bit Beyond” Fellowship (40-65), Women’s Ministry and Men’s Ministry.
2000s
The ministry and mission of Zion Hill far exceeds the walls of the physical structure. In addition to our ongoing missionary efforts and the NAACP, Zion Hill provides meals and a time of worship to homeless AIDS patients at King- Drew Medical Center. To add, the Food Pantry Ministry led by Nettie Stevenson provides food to families.
Additionally, the members gladly share with some very special children for Project Angel Tree. Project Angel Tree is a gift-giving project of Prison Fellowship. Zion Hill also continues its forty-four-year tradition of scouting programs. We are the nucleus that allows girls throughout Los Angeles County to participate in the various levels of Girl’s Scouts.
From 2007 – 2009, Dr. Paul Martin became interim pastor after Dr. Lewis became ill. After an exhaustive search, on June 1, 2009, Zion Hill selects Rev. Seth Watson Pickens, as the seventh Pastor of Zion Hill. Also, Zion Hill welcomed an expecting First Lady, Sister Isis Pickens and young son, Seth Isaiah. Daughter Zola arrived, thereafter. Pastor Pickens led us as a “Family of Faith Growing Together in Christ. “The ministry was expanded to include Growth Groups, Fitness Ministry, Line Dancing Ministry, Nutrition Ministry, A Community Clothes Closet (in conjunction with the food pantry) and Community Block Party. Our youth took a mission trip to Brazil. They also participated in both the H.O.P.E. First Youth Conference and the American Baptist Convention Youth Camp.
2010s
In 2010, the youth honored the seniors of our church with a documentary that honored our history and assisted them with financing their travel to Brazil. Under Pastor Pickens leadership, Zion Hill has surely opened its doors and is carrying this ministry beyond our walls, as experienced at our 3rd Annual Block Party and Basketball Ministry. We have certainly been about our Father’s business spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. In 2019, Rev. Aaron Gray filled-in to deliver the Word, on Sunday mornings.
We stand firmly on a solid foundation of the Word and take seriously the charge God has given us in Matthew 28:20. Zion Hill will move forward into the next years, continuing the long-standing legacy of faith, love and service to God.
2020s
This decade began with significant changes, challenges and opportunities for Zion Hill Baptist Church and the entire world astheCOVID-19 pandemic tore across the globe. In March of 2020, churches, schools, restaurants and many businesses across the country closed their doors to halt the spread of the deadly virus.
Without a pastor at this time, yet without skipping a beat, ZHBC continued to spread the word of God and serve its membership and community. Zion Hill provided church services online via YouTube and Facebook; Bible study moved to conference call mode; children and youth attended Sunday School on Zoom, and the Food Pantry was restructured to continue to safely provide food during this critical time. Online giving participation also increased.
ZHBC has been blessed with a number of guest preachers as the church leaders began looking for a new Pastor. After careful planning and new safety precautions in place, the doors of Zion Hill reopened on June 6, 2021, for church services that also are streamed online. Bible Study was offered in a hybrid manner – in person and via phonelines. The ZHBC Food Pantry continued to serve the community twice every month, and the ZH Clothes Closet reopened.
By the grace of God, these accomplishments are the result of the leadership of the Boards of Deacons and Trustees and Clergy. The hard work of the Worship Team, the Media Team, musicians and vocalists, Worship Commission leaders, the ZH Covid Taskforce, Security Team, Bible Study leaders, Sunday School staff and the Board of Christian Education, Food Pantry volunteers, Transportation Ministry and Financial staff is to be commended.
As we celebrate Zion Hill’s 100th Anniversary, the journey of our church-through good times and challenging years-demonstrates God’s unfailing love for His church and the faith and determination of the Zion Hill membership to uphold our church, as we continue to soar! Amen!