About The Church

Oral History

 The following is the oral history of the church as furnished by Rev. Albert Lewis, Father of Mrs. Maude L. Hawkins on September 24, 1958. "The first Sunday School was started in the Court House in Sumter, South Carolina with a membership of about ten members. During this time there was not a permanent pastor. Different Ministers were called to serve from time to time. For approximately three years we had services in the courthouse. We then moved into the Investment Hall on West Liberty Street, which was t the time owned by the Investment Company. This company has been dissolved. In the said Investment Hall our first pastor was called, the Rev. Simon Taylor." "The daughter of Rev. Simon Taylor, Miss Hattie Taylor, who later became Mrs. Hattie Brunson, was our first Sunday School Superintendent." "After a period of time, we moved to the Lincoln School; there we stayed approximately ten years. We then bought the building next to the school building from Mrs. Elizabeth Hunter. This was a two room building which we remodeled and started the first Church Edifice." After a period of years, it was torn down and rebuilt under the leadership of the Rev. A.J, Johnson. It was never completed. It was remodeled again in later years and finally torn down and another structure was built und the leadership of Rev. J. P. Garrick.

Education building (for the church edifice) was constructed under the Rev. R.W. Stalling In addition to the oral history provided by Rev. Lewis, here are other highlights of the past 116 years: • A deed recorded September 1894 and signed by Trustees William Skipper, Alexander J. Johnson, and J. W. David's reflected the purchase of the original land for the church for the price of $500.00. We have had only three pastors in 95 years. • Dr. J. P. Garrick---1915-1943 • The Rev. R. W. Stallings—1944-1983 • Dr. James B. Blasingame—1984 to the present Under the humble leadership of Pastor Blasingame, we have reached many milestones and the following are just a few of them. • "In September of 1989, one of the most devastating storms in the history of South Carolina destroyed our church at 16 council Street. The church met in October 1989 and decided to build a new church on property owned by the church at 325 West Fulton Street. Because of that decision, today we worship in this beautiful edifice." And our twenty-year church mortgage was paid off in nine and one half years. • Two time capsules have been buried: the first opened in 2003; the second is schedule to be opened in 2023. • In order to recognize the important contributions of our youth, the Reach ministry was organized and the Musical Ensemble has been formed. • The Pulpit aid and Pastor's Aid Ministry have joined to give more concerted support to our dynamic, inspirational pastor, who was Moderator of the Sumter Baptist M & E Association and a prominent leader and champion of Christianity on the local, state, and national level. • In 1997 the Captain's ministry, as we know it now, was organized as a result of our pastor's fellowship with God. This ministry directly impacts Vision 2008, which will culminate with the realization of a Christian Enrichment Center. • Construction for the New Enrichment Center was scheduled to begin during the fall of 2010. • Mt. Zion Baptist Church completed the construction of the 17,000 sq ft. Enrichment Center. • Finally, the lithe church that started with ten members on property that cost $500.00 now has a membership of over four hundred and is worth between 1.9 and two million dollars. For the past 117 years, the membership of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church at Sumter has had a strong reverence for our past and a deep commitment to the future because as Micah 6 states, "we do the right thing, we love unconditionally, and we are maintaining a strong fellowship with God."