Rev. Edward James Henry founded Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in 1886. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Rev. Henry called a group of people together for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church in the vicinity of Snow Hill, Maryland.
The church was founded with twenty-four charter members who purchased a one-room school from Ebenezer Methodist Church in Snow Hill, Maryland, and moved it to the present location on Dighton Avenue. The church was a small narrow building with kerosene lamps placed along the walls for light and two old fashioned stoves provided the heat. Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church began as a mission and was incorporated in 1906.
The founding Pastor, Rev. Edward James Henry, shepherded the church from 1886 to 1942. During his forty-four year pastorate, many souls were saved and a bell was installed in the church steeple for the call to worship. Baptizing was done in the river until a pool was installed in the church.
Rev. George Henry Brown succeeded Rev. Henry in 1942 and served the congregation until 1952. Under his leadership, the parsonage was purchased and the Mt. Zion Gospel Chorus was organized.
From 1952 to 1955, Rev. John Henry Patton was pastor of Mt Zion. Under his leadership, the church was enlarged, restrooms were installed, gas heaters were installed and a new roof was put on the church.
In 1956, Rev. John W. Woods was called as pastor. During Rev. Woods’ forty-five years as pastor, a fellowship hall was constructed, land was purchased to expand parking for worshipers, and major renovations were made to the sanctuary. Additionally, property was purchased next door to the church. During the major renovation period in 1979, Mt. Zion worshipped with Coolspring United Methodist Church in Girdletree, Maryland where Rev. D. T. Lewis was pastor. Rev. Woods served as pastor until he was called to eternal rest on June 10, 2001.
Rev. Richard D. Brown served as visiting minister during the extended illness of Rev. Woods, and as interim pastor from June 4, 2002 until July 31, 2003.
Following a lengthy search, Rev. Joe L. Poe was voted Pastor-Elect effective August 1, 2003. On November 15, 2003, Rev. Joe L. Poe was installed as Pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. In order to accommodate the large number of guests who responded to the invitation, the installation ceremony for Rev. Joe L. Poe and First Lady Rebecca Poe was held at Asbury United Methodist Church in Salisbury, Maryland. Rev. Poe brought a sense of vision for the future of the Church and its place in the community. Under his leadership the Church program was restructured to emphasize praise and worship; conducted the first ever Prayer Revival, April 18, 2005 to April 22, 2005; reinvigorated weekly Bible Study; strengthened the administration of the Pastoral Ministry by establishing a Deacon Family Ministry and combining the Boards of Deacons and Trustees, with their separate functions, into a Joint Administrative Board; involved the youth in the life of the Church under the leadership of the newly established Education Committee; authorized the development of the first annual budget for the Church; led the Church to appoint the first Pastor’s Compensation Committee, March 26, 2005; organized the Music Ministry and added drums to accompany the piano and organ; established standing committees; and reinvigorated existing auxiliaries.
The church was founded with twenty-four charter members who purchased a one-room school from Ebenezer Methodist Church in Snow Hill, Maryland, and moved it to the present location on Dighton Avenue. The church was a small narrow building with kerosene lamps placed along the walls for light and two old fashioned stoves provided the heat. Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church began as a mission and was incorporated in 1906.
The founding Pastor, Rev. Edward James Henry, shepherded the church from 1886 to 1942. During his forty-four year pastorate, many souls were saved and a bell was installed in the church steeple for the call to worship. Baptizing was done in the river until a pool was installed in the church.
Rev. George Henry Brown succeeded Rev. Henry in 1942 and served the congregation until 1952. Under his leadership, the parsonage was purchased and the Mt. Zion Gospel Chorus was organized.
From 1952 to 1955, Rev. John Henry Patton was pastor of Mt Zion. Under his leadership, the church was enlarged, restrooms were installed, gas heaters were installed and a new roof was put on the church.
In 1956, Rev. John W. Woods was called as pastor. During Rev. Woods’ forty-five years as pastor, a fellowship hall was constructed, land was purchased to expand parking for worshipers, and major renovations were made to the sanctuary. Additionally, property was purchased next door to the church. During the major renovation period in 1979, Mt. Zion worshipped with Coolspring United Methodist Church in Girdletree, Maryland where Rev. D. T. Lewis was pastor. Rev. Woods served as pastor until he was called to eternal rest on June 10, 2001.
Rev. Richard D. Brown served as visiting minister during the extended illness of Rev. Woods, and as interim pastor from June 4, 2002 until July 31, 2003.
Following a lengthy search, Rev. Joe L. Poe was voted Pastor-Elect effective August 1, 2003. On November 15, 2003, Rev. Joe L. Poe was installed as Pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. In order to accommodate the large number of guests who responded to the invitation, the installation ceremony for Rev. Joe L. Poe and First Lady Rebecca Poe was held at Asbury United Methodist Church in Salisbury, Maryland. Rev. Poe brought a sense of vision for the future of the Church and its place in the community. Under his leadership the Church program was restructured to emphasize praise and worship; conducted the first ever Prayer Revival, April 18, 2005 to April 22, 2005; reinvigorated weekly Bible Study; strengthened the administration of the Pastoral Ministry by establishing a Deacon Family Ministry and combining the Boards of Deacons and Trustees, with their separate functions, into a Joint Administrative Board; involved the youth in the life of the Church under the leadership of the newly established Education Committee; authorized the development of the first annual budget for the Church; led the Church to appoint the first Pastor’s Compensation Committee, March 26, 2005; organized the Music Ministry and added drums to accompany the piano and organ; established standing committees; and reinvigorated existing auxiliaries.
Services:
Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45 Am - 11:00 AM
Wednesday Night Bible Study: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM |
Address of Service & Telephone #:5558 Castle Hill Road
Snow Hill, MD 21863 410 Dighton Avenue Snow Hill, MD 21863 410-632-1343 |