MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY

(1918-Present)

The Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church (MZMBC) was first organized as "The Second Baptist Church" in 1918 under the leadership of the Reverend L. B. Bolton, the first Pastor. The organizing Trustees were Wm. Thomas, Z. Robertson, and A. L. Lockett. Later, in 1923, under the leadership of the Reverend R. L. Smallwood (Pastor), the first building was purchased and the first mortgage note for $350.00 was to be paid off by June 1, 1928 . The church was located on the corner of 7th and Hester streets. The dirt streets were paved; however, the church could not pay the paving tax and had to make plans to move. A second mortgage was taken out on November 10, 1928 , and insurance for fire, hail and tornado was required in the amount of $500.00 which was attached to the mortgage and was due by June 8, 1937 ; however, the second mortgage was paid off to the City of Stillwater, Payne County, OK, December 8, 1933. Later, land was purchased on the corner of 11th and Knoblock streets (Lot 1, Blk 7, Duncan Addition) for $200.00 from Mr. Ollie Thompson Murray (a widower from Quitman, Mississippi), and final payment to Mr. Murray for the land was made November 20, 1937.  In 1937, the name of the church was changed to "Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church." On January 3, 1938 at 1:27 p.m. , the Warranty Deed was filed at the Payne County Courthouse by John Howard.  As the years passed, flood waters inundated the church on several occasions making it necessary to look for a new location.  Later, under the leadership of the Reverend Willard Dallas, the present site (9th & Knoblock; Lots 1 & 2 in Blk 1 of the Duncan Addition) was purchased on June 2, 1969 and a new church built.  The trustees were Lucinda Verner, Willie L. Brown, Bartholomew Thompson, Imogene Murray, and Floyd Alexander.  On the second Sunday of May 1972, the congregation marched to the new site for worship. What a joyous time that was!