About Mt. Zion

Mt. Zion was founded on July 6, 1876 by Rev. Wallace Shelton, Rev. Elder H. Banks, Mr. and Mrs. Moses Logan and Mr. and Mrs. Foster. Other early members included Rev. and Mrs. Solomon Boyle, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Day, Mr. Richard Brown and Mr. and Mrs. Grant Dudley.

Many details of Mt. Zion’s earlier existence and their struggles are not known as records were destroyed by fire in the early 1900’s. However, our more recent history begins on December 18, 1965 when the congregation called Rev. R. L. Waldrop of Milford Baptist Church, Milford, Ohio. He was installed as Pastor on March 13, 1966.

It became apparent that the church had outgrown its capacity. There was no room for extensive renovating and expanding, so Pastor Waldrop started a Building Fund on the fourth Sunday in April, 1971. A Building Committee was appointed and an architect was engaged to design a new structure at 40 Coral Avenue, across from the site of our old edifice, 35 Coral Avenue.

Under Pastor Waldrop’s leadership, the Educational wing was added on May 2, 1982. The cornerstone was laid on May 26, 1990 and dedicated on May 27, 1990 during the occasion of the church’s 114th Anniversary Celebration. On April 12, 1992, the church celebrated the burning of the mortgage.

Auxiliaries organized under Pastor Waldrop were: Alpha, Beautification Committee, Bible Class, Bus Ministry under the auspices of the Caravan Club, Christian Education Committee, Church Directory, Club 75, Golden Key Club, Hospitality Club Inspirational Choir, Jail Ministry, Men's Department, New Member Classes, Nurse's Guild, Outreach Committee, Pastor's Choir, Senior Choir, Tri-Community Club, Women's Department and Youth Choir.

Pastor Waldrop retired on November 30, 1994 and the church bestowed upon him the title of Pastor Emeritus in 1995. On March 18, 2009, Pastor Emeritus Richard L. Waldrop went home to be with the Lord.

Following Pastor Emeritus Waldrop’s retirement, Rev. Eugene Sebastian was installed as Pastor on August 13, 1995. Reverend Sebastian had been an active member of Mt. Zion for years prior to answering Mt. Zion’s call, serving in numerous capacities such as Deacon, Male Chorus Member, Coordinator of our Jail Ministry and Associate Minister. Under the leadership of Pastor Sebastian, the Mt. Zion family continued to grow and magnify the Lord. Through his leadership, Mt. Zion has become more active in Baptist Associations, including serving as host of the annual Ohio Baptist General Convention in August, 1998 and fellowshipping with other churches. During his tenure, Pastor Sebastian officiated the installation services of three ministers from the Mt. Zion family.

Several new Ministries were established to serve the church family and community, including a Single’s Ministry, the Mature Saints and Married Couples Night Out. There was also a focus on the family through an Annual Family Conference, Sunday School Retreat and enhancement of Bible Study. The Nursery was established during Morning Worship to aid families with young children. Pastor Sebastian supported and encouraged academic and behavioral excellence through the scholarship fund, the Best Kids Recognition Program and Christian Pals.

Through Pastor Sebastian’s involvement with the Glendale Clergy, Mt. Zion received a Capital Improvement Grant from the Procter Fund of Glendale which enabled Mt. Zion to build a garage and storage facility, remodel the church parsonage, occupied by Pastor Emeritus Waldrop and his family, and resurface parts of the parking lot. Pastor Sebastian retired from his pastoral duties on December 31, 2000.

After Pastor Sebastian’s retirement in December of 2000, on March 21, 2002, Pastor Kendall A. Logan accepted God's call to Mt. Zion and became our 13th Pastor.

Under the leadership of Pastor Logan, various milestones were attained. In addition to Tuesday evening Bible Study, he began an additional Bible Study class on Wednesdays at noon. He revamped the intake process for new members, began Christian Bible Training Classes 1 and 2 for new members, presented our Mission Statement (which is Becoming Disciples to Make Disciples) and began Evangelism classes.

During Pastor Logan's time at the Mt. Zion's helm, fourteen men were called into the ministry, eight ministers joined, our One Call System was implemented the youth and young adult Praise Dance Ministries were started. Nutrition Classes, Health Fairs and Book Reading Classes were also established.

In 2005, a major expansion, which included several new offices and classrooms, a Fellowship Hall, an enlarged kitchen, and a gymnasium were added. Two large Heritage Quilts adorn the new upper passages on which families in the congregation have designed and incorporated blocks depicting their heritage, pride, character and faith.

In May, 2010, Pastor Logan began a 15-minute radio broadcast on each Tuesday morning at 11:45 a.m. in an on-going effort to spread God’s Word and as a way to bring people to Mt. Zion to learn more about God's Word. Mt. Zion has been receptive to conventions being held here; The Ohio Baptist General Convention in 2010 and Women's Retreats. The V & B Ministries Church Wide Institute was held here in October, 2011.

During Pastor Logan's tenure, we transitioned to two Morning Worship Services due to the renewed growth experienced by morning worship services and Sunday School classes.

In this age, the church is faced with a tremendous challenge and time will write the final chapter to this history in accordance to the response rendered by this congregation. We have big plans for the years that lie immediately ahead, but we face the future with confidence and assurance because we have the three ingredients necessary for success; love for our Savior, people with a mind to work and qualified leadership.