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A brief History of
Zion Hill Baptist Church
1872 - 2023
Zion Hill Baptist Church is one of nine churches that grew out of Friendship Baptist Church. Friendship Baptist Church was established in 1862 and independently organized in 1866, after the Civil War, becoming Atlanta's first black Baptist autonomous congregation. The founding pastor was the Reverend Frank Quarles, who served from 1862-1881. Because the congregation could not buy property, they worshipped in a boxcar sent to Atlanta from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to house the first classroom of what became known as Atlanta University.
Friendship is known as the "Mother Church" among Baptists in Atlanta because of its role in harmoniously forming nine other congregations throughout the city. Reverend Frank Quarles, Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church and organizer and first president of the Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, provided the guidance for the establishment of Zion Hill and eight other black Baptist churches throughout Atlanta, as follows:
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1868 Mount Zion Second Baptist Church
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1870 Providence Missionary Baptist Church
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1871 Wheat Street Baptist Church
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1871 Paradise Baptist Church
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1872 Zion Hill Baptist Church
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1877 Antioch Baptist Church
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1883 Providence Baptist Church
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1909 Little Friendship Baptist Church
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1917 Union Baptist Church
Nine years after the Proclamation of Emancipation, former slaves who were members of Friendship Baptist Church, located on Mitchell Street in Atlanta, Georgia, decided they needed a church closer to where they lived. The Reverend Robert Grant and seven members organized and founded Zion Hill Baptist Church in 1872. They organized Zion Hill Baptist Church in a brush harbor on the corner of Glenn and Humphries Streets, closer to their homes. They worshiped there until a dwelling was donated for their use so long as they used it for public worship. Reverend Grant selected four members of the founding group as deacons. They were Ben Thrasher, Henry Gunn, Dick Jones, and Mr. Darby. In addition to the Deacon Board, Reverend Grant organized the Mothers Board and Sunday School.
In its infancy, the church was phenomenally successful, progressing spiritually, numerically, and financially. Reverend Grant and Reverend M.C. McGuire conducted a ten-week revival, which resulted in the addition of many members. Reverend Grant's keen spiritual insight and academic ability were tempered by a genuine love of people; however, like other organizations, the church had many battles, and in 1876, Reverend Grant resigned. Including Reverend Grant, Zion Hill Baptist Church has grown and been nurtured by ten pastors.
After much prayer and consideration, the second pastor, the Reverend Jesse Davis, was called. Led by the spirit of God, Reverend Davis carried the church to marvelous spiritual victories. The first choir of the church was organized, and the church continued to grow. To the members’ sorrow, Reverend Davis was stricken with a severe illness, which resulted in his death. He served as pastor from 1876 – 1880.
The third pastor, Reverend Cyrus S. Wilkins, was a dynamic and able leader endowed with spiritual insight and keen business acumen. His service was characterized by many physical signs of growth and development. He advised the church to purchase the building in which space had been donated to them for worship on Glenn and Humphries Streets. They readily agreed and purchased the building. Zion Hill shall be ever grateful to Reverend Wilkins for making us property owners. Reverend Wilkins served as pastor from 1880 to 1885.
The fourth pastor, Reverend Crawford G. Holmes, served Zion Hill from 1888 to 1897. He served during a season of turbulence within the church. However, rather than allowing the church to be defeated by these existing difficulties and differences, he used them as a source of spiritual growth. During his administration, some dissatisfaction arose, and the membership was divided. Part of the group moved to a new location at Georgia Avenue and McDaniel Street, where they worshipped in a building on a dirt floor, and the others continued to worship on the corner of Glenn and Humphries Streets. After Reverend Holmes resigned, "both factions were as sheep having no shepherd."
The members that remained on the corner of Humphries and Glenn Streets appointed a committee composed of Deacons C.H. Kelly, Wash Holland, and John Roberts to select a desirable place for a church. The members worshipping in the new dwelling called Reverend W. W. Floyd to become Zion Hill's fifth pastor. Reverend Floyd, with the help of Deacon P.H. Hill, succeeded in uniting the two factions, thereby rebuilding the church in 1900.
Reverend Floyd was not only a good preacher but a good pastor. He endeared himself to the hearts of his followers. He was a successful pastor and a safe leader. He left a fadeless mark on Zion Hill's spiritual scroll as a great preacher, orator, Christian Statesman, and a humble servant of God. He often used this expression, "I do not want to rust out, but wear out in the service of the Master." During his administration, the lot at the corner of Georgia Avenue and McDaniel Street was purchased from Mr. Day, and a small wooden structure was built to worship God. The missionary society and the first usher board were organized under Reverend Floyd's leadership. Pastor Floyd served Zion Hill for seventeen years (1899-1916) until he passed to the Great Beyond.
The sixth pastor, Reverend Claud H. Robinson, was a gospel preacher and a loving pastor. He served Zion Hill for ten years until his death (1916-1926). Under his leadership, the church received its first charter on December 5, 1919. His most significant work was replacing the small wood structure by building the church at 666 McDaniel Street in 1923. Huge crowds thronged the church to hear stirring sermons delivered by this anointed messenger. Zion Hill Baptist Church was duly incorporated and made a body politic by the Fulton County Superior Court for 25 years. Charters have subsequently been renewed upon expiration.
After the death of Reverend Robinson, Reverend Joe T. Johnson became the seventh pastor and served from 1926-1942. He served during the dark days of the Depression. A most loving pastor and effective preacher, he sought to reveal Christ to the world. Many members came into the church during his administration, and many accomplishments were recorded. Membership increased to 1157. The Deaconess Committee and Trustee board were organized. Zion Hill was immensely proud of its pastor and felt he could represent the congregation anywhere. The members sometimes called him a picturesque preacher because he could drive home many thoughts through a story he had read or a picture he had seen. Under his leadership, Zion Hill published its first pictorial directory, which included Reverend Johnson’s autobiography.
Following the Reverend Johnson's pastorate, God sent the Reverend Doctor Levi M. Terrill, Sr. (1943-1971), the eighth pastor of Zion Hill. His coming and God's love brought the church a spirit of prosperity. Innovative programs were set in motion, new blessings were enjoyed, and the membership grew. A weekly radio broadcast, choir concerts, record-making rallies, nursery school, and other social and spiritual programs were designed and implemented for the glory of God. For nearly three decades as pastor, Reverend Terrill's contributions extended beyond the borders of Zion Hill. He became president of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia in 1957 and served in that capacity for many years. As President, he held the 100th Annual Session of the Convention at Zion Hill Baptist Church in 1970. He later served as vice president of the National Baptist Convention for more than ten years.
After God called Reverend Terrill home, He sent another giant, the Reverend Larry H. Williams (1971-1992), Zion Hill's ninth pastor. Not only did Williams believe and live the Word of God, but he also infused it into his congregation. Inspired by God, he contributed greatly to the spiritual and economic growth of the church. Under his leadership, we purchased the next church home, located on five acres at 815 Lynhurst Drive, and moved into it on May 16, 1976. His business acumen led us to liquidate the church's mortgage and all other indebtedness in three and one-half years. This indebtedness included $400,000 for the purchase of the church and $103,000 for renovations and furnishings. Other accomplishments included establishing the regular Sunday morning radio ministry and the scholarship program. Reverend Williams, gospel preacher and tender loving shepherd, served the Zion Hill church family for 21 years until his retirement on December 16, 1992.
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After Reverend Williams retired, Reverend Diane Fearn-Crews (July 1993 – January 1994) faithfully served as Interim Pastor.
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In January 1994, Zion Hill was blessed with its tenth and current pastor, Reverend Doctor Aaron Larry Parker, along with his wife, First Lady Shelia Smith Parker, and their children, Aaron Larry, Jr., and Asha Liana. At age eight, he accepted Jesus Christ into his life at the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Canton, Mississippi, where his father was the pastor. Only a decade later, at age 18, he heard and answered the call to the gospel ministry.
Pastor Parker has inspired and led this congregation to be one of "living to love and loving to serve." During his 28 years of leadership, membership has grown to over 4800, and innovative spiritual and educational programs have been implemented. Programs include more than 43 community outreach ministries, a vibrant children and youth ministry, Saturday Church School with certified teachers, a model and dynamic Rites of Passage program, Christian educational and enrichment programs through an annual Christian Empowerment Summit and Global Praise Service, increased educational support to students, and the formation of the Zion Hill Community Development Corporation (ZHCDC), a faith-based non-profit organization, which purchased, renovated and opened a two-story facility in East Point, Georgia, where it services the needs of many.
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In 2014, the former church location, 815 Lynhurst Drive, was sold. In 2015, Phase II planning began to construct the "Love Center" (a multipurpose facility). On February 25, 2017, we moved into the Love Center Phase II. The Love Center houses Christian education, educational, recreational, youth and senior activities, as well as fellowship and meeting events.
Pastor Parker continues to introduce new programs, such as Relationship Saturdays for Singles, a Bereavement Ministry, the Deacon Emeritus Status, a Couples Ministry, a Prayer Ministry (Prayer is now offered in the Chapel after each service every Sunday), The Temple Caretakers, to assist in caring for the facility; the Planet Preservers, to educate the congregation on crucial environmental issues and how they are fundamental to our faith; the JOY (Just Older Youth) for Life Seniors Ministry, providing daily, Monday through Thursday, activities that help seniors to improve their lives, physically, mentally and spiritually. He started a program for children in Folah Bong County, Liberia, West Africa, called the Mission of Hope Meal Program, to provide two meals a day, five days a week, to students, teachers, residents, and farm workers. He has revived the Stewardship Weekend to highlight our response to God's goodness through tithes and service.
Zion Hill continues to emphasize and fund outreach ministries, the Community Development Program, and the Home Retention Program, in addition to funding and support for numerous other programs, including bereavement donations, student scholarships, and contributions to the Atlanta University Center Schools. In addition to the usual outreach programs, Zion Hill continues to support communities with major disasters, including storm relief for areas such as the Gulf Coast, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Haiti, and the Bahamas. He has reenergized and improved the School of Love, Learning and Service (SOLLAS) by changing weekly Saturday School to four intensive weeks of teaching and learning, called SOLLAS BLAST, scheduled throughout the year.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) was still with us in 2021. Our last in-person service was March 8, 2020, and our first virtual service was March 15. Pastor Parker and the Zion Hill COVID-19 Task Force led the church's response to the virus through virtual church services and bible study, inspirational messages, encouraging words, COVID-19 education with weekly updates, COVID testing, and COVID vaccinations for members and the community. Our 2021 Theme was "HOPE REVIVED" (HR). Dr. Parker encouraged us, "We go forth, living to love and loving to serve, but also with our hope revived."
2022 was a transitional and celebratory year. While maintaining a strong, effective online presence, we resumed in-person assembly on Sunday, April 3, 2022. 2022 also afforded us the awesome privilege of celebrating 150 years of Zion Hill's founding and progression as a body of believers. Under the leadership of Sister Shelia Parker, for 12 glorious months, we served, prayed, learned, remembered, researched, played, and worshipped and praised our trustworthy God, centered on the theme: STILL (Standing Tall in Lasting Love). This celebration will add to the legacy of faith that is Zion Hill so that generations to come will know that we have ardently trusted the Redeemer down through the years.
For 2023, we are experiencing "A Power Surge," the guiding principle Pastor Parker set for us. This power surge is a sudden rush or outpouring of ability to achieve a specific objective in various areas of life, such as the social, political, economic, and spiritual. Our chosen theme scripture describes the power surge: Acts 2:1-4 – "When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability." Of the many areas involved, we are already experiencing an increase in our ability to pay the principal down on our church property. We are also experiencing tremendous surges of positive spiritual power in multiple dimensions of our church, families, relationships, educational pursuits, occupational and career advancements, communities, and business enterprises. We look forward to this surge continuing, especially in connection with how we as a family of believers love and serve, for we remain a gathering of the faithful that is "Living to Love and Loving to Serve."
