Zion Chapel Missionary Baptist Church had its beginning in 1904 when a group of people decided
they needed a church and school for themselves and their children. They purchased one acre of
land from Mr. A.C. Gregory. Bro. George Starks, Bro. Tommy Henry, and Bro. Watt Henry were the
first deacons.
The first pastor was Rev. Jeff Parks. Other early pastors included: Rev. J.C. Hughes,
Rev. Tom Cook, Rev. Tom Robertson, and Rev. Monroe Bigham. Rev. Bigham laid the first cornerstone
in July of 1929. Rev. George Plant and Rev. Jack Hall succeeded him.
In 1932, Rev. M.A. Morrow was elected pastor and the membership began to grow rapidly. He changed
the name of the church from "Little Zion" to Zion Chapel. His pastorship lasted eight years. Other
pastors included: Rev. Robert Smith, Rev. H.W. Duvall, Rev. W.C. Keys, and Rev. W.L. Echols. In
1956, Rev. W.H. Ratliff was elected and his pastorship lasted nine years.
In 1965, the church elected Rev. John McDonald. He pastored fourteen years. In the fall of 1979,
Rev. Arthur Townsend was elected and pastored twelve years. Under his administration a new church
building was erected. Rev. Lee R. Howell assumed interim pastorship in 1991. In June of 1991,
Rev. Jimmy Stewart was elected, and under his administration the church enlarged with the building
of new classrooms and a new fellowship hall. In 1996, our present shepherd, Rev. Caleb R. Williams,
was called and under his direction we have grown enormously spiritually. We look forward to a long
and bright future under his leadership.
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Zion Chapel Missionary Baptist Church had its beginning in 1904 when a group of people decided
they needed a church and school for themselves and their children. They purchased one acre of
land from Mr. A.C. Gregory. Bro. George Starks, Bro. Tommy Henry, and Bro. Watt Henry were the
first deacons.