Zion Hill Baptist Church to celebrate 132nd Anniversary

The Pastor & Members of the Zion Hill Baptist Church  located at the corner of Highway 6  and Falls Road  in Marlin will be celebrating their 132nd Church Anniversary and Homecoming, Sunday, Oct. 24 at 11 a.m.

Homecomers, family, and friend are invited to share with Zion Hill in this celebration. Guest will be Pastor Vincent Hartsfield and the Marlin Missionary Baptist Church of Marlin. The Pastor of Zion Hill the Reverend William Johnson Jr.

The church was founded in 1889 by Bro & Sis Jacob Maxwell, Bro & Sis Manuel Maxwell, Bro J.W. Parks, and Rev J. Moore, who was also the first pastor.

Pastors who have served are: Rev J Moore-who started the Excelsior School Rev W.H. Stranger, Rev. E.A. Ayers, Rev. S. Winfield, Rev. P.D. Dickerson, Rev. M. Washington, Rev. A.B. Moore, Rev. E. L. Lofton, Rev. R. L. Williams, Rev. G.B. Booker, Rev. C.C. Littlejohn, Rev. U.P. Williams, Rev. E. House, and Rev. H. Guy.

Past Deacons: Deacon D.T.Taylor, Deacon W.B. Simon, Deacon Manuel Armstead, Deacon Levell Moody, Deacon Will Humphrey, Deacon Henry Steward, Deacon L. R. Washington, Deacon Nathaniel Washington, Deacon L. Mc Kenney, Deacon George Payne, Deacon C. Watkins, Deacon Louis Washington, Deacon William Douglas, Deacon Sam Williams, Deacon Charlie Jackson, Deacon Albert Mack, Deacon Lorenzo Jefferson, Deacon Willie Humphrey, Deacon L.A. Brown and Deacon Calvin Peoples. Present Deacons are: Deacon Dan Linton,  Deacon  Rickey Humphrey, Deacon Larry Lewis and  Deacon  Marion Humphrey.

 Zion Hill ordained the following ministers: Rev. J. Kelley, Rev. R. Parks, Rev. C. Mayes, Rev. J.H. Washington, Rev. Shaw, Rev. L.B. Wesley, Rev. William Johnson Jr., Rev. V. Newton, Rev. P.F. Wheeler, Minister Deborah Raphael, Minister Vincent Hartsfield, and  Minister Alfornette Timms. Bishop Fred Ormsby joined the Ministerial Staff of Zion Hill as an ordained Minister and Bishop.

By the grace of God, Zion Hill has been able to give birth to several ministries that  has allowed for further kingdom building efforts. Among those ministries are:  the street ministry held on Friendly Corner faithfully for many years. Other ministries include nursing home, jail, van, and  the praise ministry. church building was renovated and bricked. Inside restrooms, a water fountain and  a central heating system was installed. As part of the music ministry a piano, organ, and drum set were purchased. Structural changes and growth at Zion Hill included new walkway, purchasing a church van and drill team were organized. 

In 2000, the Arie Johnson Scholarship was established. Named in honor of Pastor Johnsons late mother, the scholarship was given during the inaugural year to Ms. Rosondra Hartsfield. Ms. Hartsfield later attended and graduated from Prairie View A & M University.