Foundations of Faith (1866–1869)

 

On April 8, 1866, Zion Baptist Church of Marietta Georgia was organized by eighty-eight former slaves granted letters of dismissal from First Baptist Church of Marietta, Georgia. One of the former slaves, Rev. Ephraem B. Rucker was commissioned as Zion’s first Pastor. Rev. Rucker served until February 1869. Under his leadership the first four deacons were installed, and a Sunday School was formed.

 

Building a Worship Space (1869–1897)

Zion’s second pastor was Rev. T. M. Allen called in April 1869. He served from 1869 to 1885. During his four-year tenure Zion’s membership began to increase.

Rev. C. G. Holmes was Zion’s third pastor serving from 1885 to 1889. Under his leadership, Zion’s first church foundation was laid on the corner of Haynes Street and Lemon Street. This building was the first place of worship.

Zion’s fourth pastor was Rev. L. T. Smith serving more than one year.

Rev. W. P. Harper was Zion’s fifth pastor serving less than a year faithfully working to keep the worship service to its standard.

Rev. R. L. Darden was Zion’s sixth pastor serving from 1891 to 1896. Under his administration the walls of Zion were finished, and the roof was added, membership grew to 150.

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Tower, Bell, and Furnishings (1897–1901)

Rev. J. F. Hughes was the seventh pastor serving during 1897. Under his leadership, the new Tower was built and completed. Deacon Johnson, who was an employee for a firm in Atlanta, interceded with his employer to buy the bell weighing 1600 pounds. The bell was purchased with cash, installed, and all indebtedness of the church was paid in less than one (1) year. Comfortable church pews were also bought.

In 1898, Rev. N. B. Williamson, Zion’s eighth pastor, served for two years. He organized the Baptist Young People’s Union (B.Y.P.U.) now known as the Baptist Training Union since 1934. Under his leadership the Senior Choir was formed. A choir loft was created in the left west corner of the church.

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Expanding Ministries (1901–1912)

In 1901, Rev. F. M. Simmons became Zion’s ninth pastor. During his six-year tenure, a church parsonage was bought and Zion membership increased to over 160 Rev. R. D. Arline was Zion’s tenth pastor serving in late 1907 to 1911. During his service, a baptismal pool was installed, and the church was covered with galvanized roofing.

The Rev. W. P. Harper served as pastor again for several months during 1912.

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Revival and Renovations (1913–1918)

Rev. W. F. James was called as the eleventh pastor in the spring of 1913. During his tenure, Zion held its first revival, sixty candidates came for baptism adding to the church; a vestibule and inside swinging doors were added; the choir loft was relocated to the back of the pulpit; pulpit furniture was situated; wiring and basement installed for a furnace.

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A Time of Transitions (1918–1929)

In the fall of 1918, Rev. H. F. Barnes was called to become Zion’s twelfth pastor. He served for one year.

Zion’s thirteenth pastor was Rev. R. B. Abraham. He served 1921 to 1920.

In 1921, Rev. J. C. Gaffney became Zion’s fourteenth pastor. During his service, Zion added many new members, and its Sunday School BYPU and Missionary Society grew in membership and finances.

In 1923, Rev. N. H. Gamble was called to Zion as the fifteenth pastor serving until 1926.

Rev. F. M. Hutchinson became Zion’s sixteenth pastor in 1926. During 1926 to 1929, he served as our gospel preacher showing Christian love to Zion’s elderly and shut-in members.

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Stability and Service (1929–1942)

In April 1929, Rev. S. M. Lee came to Zion as the seventeenth pastor. During his service, a furnace was installed in the basement.
For several months in 1933, Zion was without a Pastor.

In 1934, Rev. G. D. Hubert was called as the eighteenth pastor; served until July 18, 1935.

In 1936 the Rev. A. G. Belcher, the nineteenth pastor was called. Under his leadership, the parsonage was recovered and repainted; and one-hundred-thirty-seven members joined Zion. In 1937, the Floral Club was organized with the objective of providing flowers for member funerals.
From November 1941 to July 1942, Zion was again without a Pastor.

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Spiritual and Physical Renewal (1942–1953)

On July 5, 1942, the twentieth pastor, Rev. L. R. Edwards, was installed. Zion’s membership increased by sixty-eight. During his eleven years of service, eleven projects were completed: pastor’s study built; choir room built; glass baptismal fountain installed; pulpit furniture upholstered; choir loft enlarged; pulpit moved forward; and steeple was placed on the roof. On Monday, December 27, 1953, Rev. Edwards was called to his heavenly home.

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Organizational Strengthening (1954–1960)

On March 17, 1954, Rev. J. W. Cook was installed as Zion’s twenty-first pastor. During his service, Zion membership grew to 380; the parsonage was furnished; weekly bulletins were provided; typewriter and mimeograph machine were purchased; drinking fountains were installed; electric clock was placed in the church; The J. W. C. Chorus was established in 1954; ZYPI Organization for the young people; building fund established; financial committee elected; Bible classes offered on Wednesday nights; youth choir organized.

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Major Expansion and Community Impact (1960–1991)

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From April to August 1960, Zion was without a pastor.​

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On August 7, 1960, Rev. R. L. Johnson became Zion’s twenty-second pastor. During his thirty-one years of leadership, over 250 members were baptized; Zion was redecorated; two properties were purchase providing a city block of real estate between Haynes Street, Waddell Street and Lemon street; from 1977 to 1978, a new sanctuary and fellowship hall later to be named Zion Chapel and Chapel Fellowship Hall was built; the congregation moved into this building in 1978; several associate ministers were added to the staff; the scholarship committee, the Mortgage committee, Van ministry, Mass Choir, Youth Choir, Sunbeam choir, Baptist Training Union, Young Women, Teen Missions and Zion Sisterhood were established; On May 18, 1991, Zion’s original church now named The Old Zion Heritage Museum entered into the National Registry of Historical Places. Rev. Johnson was called home on November 14, 1991.

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Visionary Growth and Historic Recognition (1992–2011)

November 29, 1992, Rev. Dr. Harris T. Travis was installed as Zion’s twenty-third pastor. On May 18, 1991, Zion’s original church was accepted by the National Park Service as a Historic Place and entered on the National Register of Historic places. Rev. Johnson was called home on November 14, 1991.As a pro-active educational minister, he revitalized the Wednesday Night Bible study; started an early morning Sunday worship service; initiated a building fund for an educational building completed in 1998; supported the renovation of Old Zion Heritage Museum in 1997; licensed the first female minister, Rev. Dorie Tuggle; added several associate ministers and deacons; built a 1200 seat sanctuary and Academy to be positioned on the corner of Church and Lemon Streets facing Marietta Square. The Old Zion Heritage Museum was renamed in 2003. The Zion congregation marched into on April 2007; established many additional ministries such as the Children’s Church, Men’s Choir, Women’s Ministry, Deacon ‘Shepherding Program’, Substance Abuse Ministry, Outreach Ministry, A/V Ministry, Athletic Ministry, Website Ministry and Ministers Wives and Widows; membership increase to over 2,000 with more than 30 different ministries. Pastor Travis’ announced his retirement in 2011, graciously providing a five-year advance notice for the church body to commence a pulpit committee to seek a pastor. The pulpit committee was officially formed January 20, 2014, and had its first meeting on January 23, 2014, led by the Chairman of the Deacon Board, Deacon William Howard. Committee Members were Dean of Ministers Rev. Dr. Arthur Scott, Chairperson of the Mother/Deaconess Ministry Mother Bernadette Keitt, Past Chairperson, Board of Directors Sister Janet Street, Chairperson, Women’s Ministry Rev. Ruth Hodo, Deacon Eric Ludgood, Member-at-Large Rev. Antonine Wright, Deacon Mark Riggans, and Deacon Chester Simmons.

 

On Sunday, May 1, 2016, Rev. Travis delivered his farewell sermon which came from 1 Peter 1:16 (KJV) “Living Victorious by Practicing Concepts of Holiness.” His last official day was June 30, 2016.

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New Leadership and Global Outreach (2016–Present)

On Wednesday, June 1, 2016, Rev. Eric M. Beckham was onboarded as the twenty-fourth pastor, and installation service was on Sunday, August 28, 2016. Pastor Beckham’s focus has been on enhancing the Prayer life and Missions of the congregants. As a result, a number of Prayer Vigils, and Prayer focused Bible studies have ensued as well as mission trips locally and in foreign countries to include Jamaica and West Africa. Noteworthy is the partnership that has evolved with the Liberia Mission of Hope in which an annual visit to Liberia, Africa continues providing aid to the underserved. More than forty ministries are resident at Zion providing a plethora of services to those in need with a Spirit of Love at the forefront. Over Pastor’s tenure the unprecedented COVID-19 Pandemic event lent way to a more concentrated effort to expand the virtual ministry which helped to maintain the continuity and connectivity of the membership ensuring the Gospel of Jesus Christ continues to be shared with the saved and unsaved. The focus continues to be on Prayer, Life Groups, Transitional Social Services, and grants for the homeless community.

Zion Baptist Church remains a pillar in the Marietta and Cobb County Communities. Other churches, social and civic organizations look to Zion for leadership on all occasions and we continue to play a pivotal role in the community.