Church History

Desiring a place to worship and hold prayer meetings, around 140 years ago, a group of Baptist

Christians migrated to the areas of East Lockland, Woodlawn, and Wyoming, Ohio. They started

worship services in their homes. Then one evening at Sister Rebecca Mangrum’s home, living on the

banks of the old East Lockland canal, it was decided to rent a building for Sunday services. Sister

Savannah noticed a small building across the street from her home and decided to rent it for their

services. Thus was the beginning….

 

Historical Milestones

1869:

Mt. Zion Baptist Church was organized by a small group of Christians under the leadership of

Reverend Wallace Shelton. The church was named the Second Baptist Church of Lockland.

 

1871:

The first location of the church was in Wyoming, Ohio in a one-room dwelling on Mulberry Street. The

first pastor called was Reverend Newsome. Under his leadership, a weather-board church was built

in Lockland, Ohio. The name was changed from Second Baptist to Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

 

1898-1900:

Rev. Birch was called to pastor the church, serving for two years.

 

1900-1902:

Reverends Moore and Charles Johnson served concurrently as pastor.

 

1902-1915:

Rev. J.G. Orr was called to pastor Mt. Zion, serving the church for 13 years.

 

1915:

Rev. Fisher served as pastor briefly, for 1 month.

1915:

Rev. Bellamy served as pastor briefly, until the call of Rev. D.C. Ross.

1915-1934:

Rev. D.C. Ross became the pastor, serving the next 19 years. Under his leadership, the

weatherboard structure in Lockland was restructured into a brick building at a cost of $50,000, and

the membership increased to 400.

1934-1936:

Rev. Sanders was appointed by Rev. Ross as church pastor. Under his leadership, the Gospel Choir

was organized.

 

1936-1961:

Rev. Mitchell C. Coleman was called to Mt. Zion and served for 25 years. Under his leadership, the

church continued to grow spiritually and numerically. In 1938 the church was remodeled, adding an

annex due to a membership increase of approximately 1000 members. The mortgage burning

the Ministers and Deacons Wives Club.

 

1961-1975:

Rev. Otis Moss, Jr. became pastor. During his pastorate, the Allegro Choir, MIRS Club, Usherettes,

and the Mt. Zion Federal Credit Union were established. In 1966, the Sharon JoAnn Moss

Scholarship Fund was started in memory of the late Sharon JoAnn Moss. The church membership

continued to increase, and the second mortgage burning took place in 1972. Rev. Moss envisioned

the future need for a larger edifice and led Mt. Zion in the land purchase of the present church

site. Under his pastorate, Mt. Zion experienced a spiritual and social awareness revival that spread

throughout local and surrounding communities. The church became the local “Hub” of the Southern

Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

 

1975-1983:

Rev. Donald Thompson was called as pastor. Under his leadership, our current edifice was built. On

Sunday, July 20, 1980, the “Great Walk” from the church in Lockland to the new edifice in Woodlawn,

OH took place.

 

1983-1984:

Rev. Albert Lampkin served as Interim Pastor.

 

1984:

Rev. Eddie Martin served as Presiding Pastor until the calling of the next pastor.

1984-1998:

Rev. Henry Wise Jones was called to pastor Mt. Zion. Under his leadership, the mortgage was

liquidated through the “Debt Free 94” campaign. The mortgage was burned on September 24,

1994. During his tenure, the 100 Voices Women’s Day Choir, Senior Citizens’ Group, and Girl Scout

Troop were established. The need for a Youth Ministry was emphasized.

 

1998-2000:

Rev. Eddie Martin served as Interim Pastor until the search for a new pastor was completed.

 

2000-2005:

Rev. DeQuincy M. Hentz was called to pastor Mt. Zion. He embraced the theme, “A New Beginning

in a New Millennium.” Mt. Zion grew both spiritually and numerically under his pastorate. Under his

leadership, a number of new ministries were formed: KNOWJ, the Young Adults’ Ministry, Men’s

Ministry, and Children’s Church, to name a few. Rev. DeQuincy Hentz – Under his pastorate the

membership increased to over 1,100 members. He also ordained 7 new deacons and 2 new

Associate Ministers. Rev. Hentz increased the ministries within Mt. Zion to over 50. His ministerial

teaching increased weekly which enabled the church to expend Bible Studies to include Wednesday

Noonday and Saturday Bible Classes, as well as an additional Sunday Morning Worship

Service. Under Rev. Hentz, a Breakfast Ministry was started to feed early morning worshippers. He

started the first Mt. Zion Christmas Gala, talent show, and Mt. Zion At the Movies Night. The Mt.

Zion Bus Ministry was increased in staff and services to accommodate KNOWJ (Kids Night out with

Jesus) and the adults attending Wednesday evening Bible Study. In 2005, Pastor Hentz’s vision for

the future of Mt. Zion included “Vision 2010”, which included church building expansion, ministry

outreach and church growth.

 

2006-2008:

Rev. Dr. Dennis E. Norris was called to serve as Interim Pastor. He led the membership in

embracing the reconciliation and healing process, preparing Mt. Zion for the call of a new pastor.

 

2008-2020:

On February 27, 2008, Rev. Dr. T. Scott Swan, I. was called to pastor Mt. Zion. He came with 27

years of ministerial experience, including 12 years as Pastor and 8 years of Pastoral CareGiving. His ministerial focus was toward PTL –
Preaching, Teaching, and Loving the people.

The following ministries were created under his leadership: Evangelism, The Military Ministry and the

Social Engagement & Digital Ministry. The following activities and services were started during his

tenure: Givelify, revitalization of the Girl Scouts and the Nursery, Mime Dancers, purchase of a

church van & bus, updated Audio/Visual Equipment, Hat Day and 5th Sunday Fellowship.

2020 – 2022:

Rev. Patricia Stone was called to serve as Interim Pastor. She led the membership during the

pandemic and kept the membership informed using Weekly Updates via email and U.S. mail.

Sunday School and Bible Studies were held over the telephone. Church services were held online

with Rev. Stone and guest ministers.

2022 – Present:

Rev. Christopher R. Graham, Sr. was called as the 16th pastor of Mt. Zion, bringing in a new vision of

a church that is Bible-Based, Christ-Centered, Discipleship-Driven, and Mission-Minded.

Currently, Pastor Graham has revamped Children’s, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, worked with

members to reestablish in-person Special Days, Fellowship, Bible Study and Sunday School. Under

his leadership, the church has incorporated Get FIT (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter), a Get

Connected QR code and a new church logo. Pastor Graham focused on developing a community

outreach program and established a strategic planning team. For the 154th Church Anniversary, he

played a major role in implementing the use of QR codes for digital church programs.