Imagine five people meeting in a school building. That’s how the story of Greater Mount Zion Church began.
In 1928, these faithful individuals organized the church. Rev. T. M. Hall led the way. The founders included Charles Simple, Henry Simple, and Carrie Simple. Rev. J. C. Mack, Sr. also took part. Rev. John Owens completed the group.
Rev. J. C. Mack, Sr. became the first pastor. Charles Simple served as a deacon. Carrie L. Simple became the secretary. Henry Simple took on the role of treasurer.
Growth came quickly to Greater Mount Zion Church. In 1929, a revival brought many new members. But in 1932, disaster struck. A storm destroyed the Lynch School building, where they held services.
The congregation persevered. By 1933, they built a new church. Rev. S. L. Farris baptized new members. He later became the pastor.
Rev. Farris made a significant change. He renamed the church Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church. This was because he pastored another Mt. Zion Baptist Church. It distinguished the two congregations.
Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church then joined important organizations. These included the Southern District Association. It also became part of the American Baptist State Convention of Texas.
Rev. Farris served for 17 years. In 1951, Rev. C. E. Williams took over. He was a quiet man. He was serious about his faith. The church continued to grow under his leadership.
Tragedy struck again in 1960. While preaching, Rev. Williams passed away. Rev. A. L. McBeth became the next pastor. He had a vision for Greater Mount Zion.
In 1963, a new church building arose. Rev. McBeth’s leadership was impactful. Many new members joined the church.
In 1965, Rev. H. L. Mackey became the pastor. He was known as the “jumping, singing preacher.” The church received a facelift with brick siding.
Rev. W. Alford followed as pastor in 1983. Membership continued to increase. The church added a nursery and remodeled the sanctuary.
In 1989, Rev. Adrian S. Johnson became the pastor. He added ministries for youth and seniors. A new multi-ministry building was constructed in 1993.
Elder Roland K. Hendricks became the eighth pastor in 2005. His vision was “Impacting The Total You.” He reorganized ministries to better serve the people.
In 2010, Greater Mount Zion Church dedicated a new sanctuary. This included seven classrooms and a bookstore. In 2017, the GMZ Event Center opened. It featured a gym, classrooms, and a recording studio.
Today, Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church stands as a testament to faith. It reflects resilience and community spirit. It has been serving Houston for over a century. It continues to expand God’s Kingdom. It makes a positive impact on countless lives. It embraces a future filled with hope and purpose.