Our History
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS 1861 Church had its inception under a brush harbor. 1880 First permanent church was rebuilt after being destroyed by fire. 1886 First Deacon Board was organized. Early 1900’s New wings were constructed on each side of the church that made seating capacity 750.
Senior Choir was organized.
Rev. George Ernest Goode served as Superintendent of the Sunday School. 1920 The Missionary society was organized by Sis. Elizabeth Dean and Sis. Hattie Carter. 1956 The Senior Usher board was organized by Bro. Tabe Goode. Late 1950’s Sis. Effie Dean organized the Junior Usher Board. 1964 The Gospel Chorus was organized by Sis. Susie (Wim) Carter. 1967 The Youth Choir was organized by Dea. Prelo Moore.
The Willing Workers Club was organized by Sis. Elizabeth R. Davis. Early 1970’s Started having service twice a month – 2nd Sunday morning and 4th Sunday evening. 1972 The Young Adult Choir was organized by Bro. H. Stanley Lagroon and others. 1974 Final plans were made for new church building – Dea. Robert C. Moore chairman of the Building Committee and Building Fund Treasurer. 1976 Construction of now church completed and first service held.
The Deaconess Board was organized by Sis. Mattie C. Boozer.
The Junior Deacon Board was organized by Bro. H. Stanley Lagroon. 1980 Annual Vacation Bible School was organized by Sis. Daisy Moore. 1981 Developed program for Children’s Meditation during Sunday Morning Worship. 1984 The Pulpit Aide Society was reorganized. 1985 The Young Women Auxiliary was organized by Sis. Roslyn Carroll. 1986 Liquidated Church Mortgage for the 1976 New Church Building. 1987 First Exchange Worship between St. Luke Presbyterian Church, Orangeburg, SC and Old Mt. Zion.
First Annual Christmas Morning Worship.
Purchased first church van. 1988 First Christmas Candlelight and Caroling Fellowship Worship.
Initiated Youth Leadership of the morning worship each fourth Sunday.
Purchased first church Grand Piano.
Paved Church’s Parking Lot. 1989 Sponsored Black History Quiz Bowl.
Organized First Read through the Bible Group.
First Annual Christmas Fellowship Dinner. 1990 Second Christmas Candlelight and Caroling Fellowship Worship.
First Annual Camp Fellowship and Church Picnic.
Reorganized Sunday School and named Sis. Daisy Moore Superintendent.
Installed new Public Address System. 1992 Brotherhood was organized by Dea. Robert Moore.
First Female Trustees Elected Sis. Patricia Kimble and Sis. London Thomas. 1992-1993 The late Rev. Harold Stith served as Interim Pastor. 1993 A painting was done inside of the church.
Missionary Society installed Baptism Pool and New Draperies.
Alarm System was installed in the church.
Siding was placed on the outside of the church. 1993-1994 Rev. Gardner Creecy served as Pastor.
1994-1995 Rev. Clyde D. Cannon served as Interim Pastor.
1994 The Missionary Society presented Bibles to the church.
Program Commemorating Dr. Benjamin E. Mays.
Computer and Software purchased for the church.
Dea. Arthur Brunson resigns from Chairman of the Deacon Board due to Health Problems. He served for twenty-three years.
Dea. Robert Moore was elected as Chairman. 1994 Rev. Clyde D. Cannon was installed as the 12th Pastor of Old Mt. Zion
All Male Choir was organized under the leadership of Bro. James Stewart. 1998 Incorporated by State of South Carolina as Non Profit Corporation
Church Endowment Fund started by Board of Trustees
Hired Musician Jeremy Blocker as Drummer. 1999 Awning Installation Completed. 2000 Reorganize Sunday School with four Co-Superintendents.
Church purchased Copier.
Mission Fund purchased school supplies for Matthews and East End Elementary Schools.
Millennium Celebration organized by Sis. Vivian Archie. Oldest member present was Sis. Juanita Griffin. Youngest member present was Tasha Carters son.
Y2K Emergency Supplies was donated to families.
Appointed Nursery Supervision Assistance under the Leadership of Sis. Glorietta Jones.
Completed our pledge to the O. R. Ruben Chapel or Special Fund total of $5,000. This chapel is located on Morris College Campus.
The Birthday Month Ministry organized by Pastor Cannon.
The Congregational Nurse Program organized by Self Memorial Hospital, Mrs. Mary Crouch. The RN provided health screenings at affiliated churches — Antioch, Mt. Olive, Mt. Pisgah and Old Mt. Zion.
Parking Lot repaved. Handicap signs placed for special parking.
Inspirational Choir organized by Sis. Debra Johnson, Sis. Gwendolyn Gray, and Bro. James Gray. 2001 Pastor Cannon appointed Rev. Thessa Smith Director of Christian Education.
Entrance/Exit Gates installed on premises.
Singles and Married Couples Class organized by Sis. Glorietta Jones and Bro. John A. Carter.
Phonics Class organized by Sis. Glorietta Jones under the direction of Mrs. Thelma C. Griffin.
Completion of Picnic Shelter
Pastor Cannons Fifth Pastoral Anniversary Celebration and Banquet.
PASTORS – Reverends: Ned Starks 1861-1886, James Foster Marshall 1886-1935, Moses Marquette Peace 1936-194 Norman L. Bush 1942-1945, James S. Maddox 1946-1947, A. M. Means 1948-1949, Robert Wilson 1950-1953, A. Stephens 1954-1964, Henry James Dicks 1965-1981, Robert M. Scotland 1981-1992, Harold Stith Interim 1992-1993, Gardner Creecy 1993-1994, Clyde D. Cannon 1994-2008, and Danny R. Webb 2008-present .
Chairman of Deacon Board: George Washington Dean, Tom Warren, Robert (Rob) Dean, James Dean, Julian (Doc) Dean, Lewis N. Dean, Arthur Brunson, Robert C. Moore, Brawley Watts, Jr., and Henry Ordelle Watts.
