In 1909, a religious study group led by Reverend Sandy Lyons organized the Second Baptist Church in a school in the 300 block of North Hartford in Tulsa. The group soon renamed their church as Mount Zion Baptist Church, bought a lot at 419 North Elgin and began planning to raise money for a permanent church building. About this time, the landlord of their rented building told the congregation that
it was no longer available to them and gave them three days to move. The congregation moved to temporary quarters in a former dance hall on North Greenwood Avenue.[3]
Reverend Whitaker led a campaign that raised $42,000 toward a permanent facility, far short of the estimated cost of $92,000. A local Jewish contractor offered an unsecured loan of $50,000. Completion took five years, and the first service was held in the new building on April 4, The Tulsa Race Riot broke out on the night of May 31 - June 1, 1921. The new Mount Zion Baptist Church was deliberately burned by a mob of white men, who had heard a rumor that blacks were using the building to store rifles that had been brought there in caskets. No evidence of such storage ever surfaced. However, it was true that some armed blacks used the structure as a vantage point for firing on rioters that were attacking nearby houses. The whites could not dislodge the blacks until some local guardsmen brought up a truck with a machine gun and opened fire. This more powerful weaponry began knocking bricks out of the building, and it was soon in flames.[4]
The building was a total loss. Furthermore, the insurance policy contained an escape clause that eliminated coverage for damages due to riot or rebellion. Additionally, as noted above, the congregation was already in debt for $50,000. The church had no choice but to declare bankruptcy. This action allowed the church to continue as an organization. Reverend Whitaker resigned because of ill health. A series of interim pastors followed before a Reverend Hamilton took over in 1928. The congregation soon split over the issue of whether to repay the $50,000 debt. Hamilton, and those who agreed with him, believed this was not a legal obligation because it was a loan in good faith and unsecured by any physical assets. Opponents contended that the loan should be repaid. Hamilton and his supporters resigned to form a new church, known as New Hope Baptist Church. The opposition remained as members of Mount Zion and began trying to repay the loan.[3]
Recovery and rebuilding[edit]
Reverend J. Dotson became pastor in 1937. He brought in new members and raised $3,000 toward debt repayment within six months. He continued a vigorous fundraising campaign. The result was the full repayment of the old mortgage on November 23, 1942. Dotson then began raising funds to build a new building on the site.[3]
Reverend Dotson closely supervised the construction of the new church building, which was designed by W. Latimer. The Latimers were brothers, trained architects and members of Mount Zion. The new church building was dedicated in November 1952, twenty-five years after Reverend Dotson's arrival. At Dotson's request, the church called Reverend Calvin G. McCutchen as assistant pastor. McCutchen succeeded Dotson as pastor in 1957 and served until his retirement in 2007On January 1, 2008, the Lord passed the baton to Dr. Leroy M. Cole, to continue to lead us in running this Christian race. On September 5, 2008 Mt. Zion Baptist Church was listed in the National Register of Historical Places for its rebuilding efforts in the Greenwood community following the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921. Today, Mt. Zion Baptist Church continues to be a testimony of “standing in the gap” for its members and the Tulsa community. Under the direction of Dr. Leroy M. Cole, current ministries were restructured and new ministries were created. These ministries include Greeters Ministry, Counselors Ministry, New Member Orientation Ministry, Health and Wellness Ministry, 24/7 (Youth Ministry), Noon Day Community Bible Study, Media Ministry, Liturgical Dance & Mime, Athletic Ministry, Outreach Ministry, Voice of Zion (Newsletter), Transportation Ministry and Mighty Kids for a Mighty God (Children’s Church Ministry). We started utilizing our parking lot for event parking after the building of the baseball stadiumA capital improvement campaign was established in 2012 that included the renovation and painting of the
Mt. Zion Sanctuary
Mt. Zion Sanctuary
sanctuary, installing new carpet and refurbishing the chandeliers and light fixtures. Dotson Hall, the Family Life Center and gym were completely renovated. Ceramic tile was installed in all the restrooms along with new plumbing and fixtures. The ladies lounge was restructured and transformed into a bridal suite. Two new chair lifts and flat screen monitors were added in the foyer and sanctuary. The Media Ministry was upgraded with high definition cameras, speakers, monitors, amps, microphones, mixing board, screens, projectors and laptop. The exterior renovation included painting the trim, power washing the bricks and replacing the louvers. The roofs on the sanctuary and Family Life Center were replaced. New landscaping was added and a new Mt. Zion Baptist Church sign was installed. The Transportation Ministry was extended to three busses and one van. Security cameras were also installed throughout the church. Zion Women’s Ministry
Over the year, the Women’s Ministry have attended District and State Auxiliary meetings, prepared lunch-bags for those in need, conducted a Blessing in a Bag outreach and a Coats & Cans Drive. The Annual Tea and Hat Show and Mt. Zion’s Women’s Day were celebrated. Breast Cancer Awareness was recognized on Wear Pink Sunday. Additionally, the Women’s Ministry participated in the Baptist Women’s World of Prayer Day. The Men of Valor ministry provides several activities and events for the Tulsa community. Some of those events include Hoops and Cuts, Fishing Trip for Gilcrease Kids, Mother’s Day Breakfast, Mentorship Day at Gilcrease Elementary, Family Health Fair and the Dr. Charles H. Lewis Golf Tournament. The Talking is Teaching program was implemented during the summer of 2016 . Talking is Teaching focuses on literacy with children from birth to five years old through interactions with parents in reading, singing, and playing activities. Zion volunteers monthly enhance and encourage literacy skills to infants through five years old children. Mount Zion Baptist Church members understand that after studying the Elements of Worship and determining our spiritual gifts, we must dedicate to give 110 percent of our time, talent, fruits, and worship to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we continue our journey, we show our dedication by remaining anchored in the Lord under the leadership of our servant, and a man of God, Dr. Leroy M. Cole.
