In the latter part of 1950, Bishop Annie Stewart owned property on 124th Street between 5th Avenue and Lenox Avenue. This property became the first home of Mt. Zion Church. Bishop Stewart was the founder, along with her husband Reverend C. A. Stewart. The church membership consisted of eight members: Bro. Ulus Dodson, Sis. Isabel Dodson, Sis. Martha Brooks, Sis. Corrine Mosbey, Bro. John Mosbey, Sis. Cora Christian, Bro. Alfonzo Christian, Bro. John Cousins. These eight members purchased the property at 1148 Elder Avenue, a Jewish Synagogue, which had been closed for over 20 years after the death of the Rabbi.
In 1959, the church moved to its present location at 1148 Elder Avenue, Bronx, N.Y. Mt Zion was brought into the Christian Methodist Episcopal Connection in May, 1962. Rev. C. A. Stewart, the husband of Bishop Annie Stewart, was Pastor. Bishop H. C. Bunton served as Presiding Prelate and Reverend M. C. McBeth served as Presiding Elder.
Reverend Stewart served as Pastor until 1965. Reverend W. J. Dix served from 1965 to 1966. In August, 1966, Reverend Willie B. McLeod was appointed to Mt. Zion and served for thirteen successful years, 1966 to 1979. Reverend McLeod was elevated to Presiding Elder at the 1979 Annual Conference by Bishop Oree Broomfield, Sr. and Reverend Robert Lewis was appointed to Mt. Zion and served from 1979 to 1980. Reverend Lewis was a devoted man of God as well as a wonderful musician.
Reverend Leroy Peay was appointed to the church and served from 1980 to 1982. He was a great teacher, preacher and Prophet, filled with the Holy Ghost. The church took on a new perception of spirituality under his leadership.
Reverend John L. Sloan was appointed to Mt. Zion in 1982 and served faithfully until his illness and passing. Reverend Sloan not only loved to preach, but had a great sense of humor. Presiding Elder Frank Fuller served Mt. Zion until April, 1984.
On April 24, 1984 Reverend Edward Moultrie, Sr. was appointed to serve Mt. Zion and served sixteen prosperous years until July 28, 2000. Mt. Zion experienced a physical and spiritual growth under the leadership of Reverend Moultrie. The church was able to purchase a church van, a parking lot, new pews, new windows, a new boiler was installed as well as two new air-conditioning units.
Reverend Moultrie was responsible for training and guiding over thirteen Local Preachers through the Ordination Process of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Many went out to pastor their own churches within the C.M.E. Connection.
On Friday, July 28, 2000 at the 132nd Session of the New York-Washing Annual Conference, Rev. Moultrie was transferred to the Carolina Conference by Bishop Charles L. Helton and appointed to serve as Pastor of Sidney Park C.M.E. Church in Columbia, South Carolina.
Reverend Theresa G. Oliver was appointed to serve as the eighth pastor of Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church. She was given the very unique privilege to serve as Pastor of her home church. In May, 2001, Reverend Oliver completed her requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Ministry at New York Theological Seminary in New York City. Her Project included “Developing An Wholistic Health Ministry” at Mt. Zion, with the Theme: “Improving The Quality of Health Among African-Americans in the 21st Century”. She was motivated to complete her project and graduate from New York Theological Seminary in memory of her loving mother Mrs. Vernice S. Graham.
Doctor Oliver and the Mt. Zion CME Church Family have witnessed extensive reconstruction, renovation and restoration of the Church beginning in 2001. This work included the roof and a new skylight, plumbing, Fellowship Hall, Sanctuary, Pastor’s Office and Parsonage. Additionally, many other projects were completed under the leadership of Doctor Oliver. Rev. Oliver retired In July 2021
On July 2021, Rev. Glen Lacey was assigned to Pastor Mt Zion CME Church. Pastor Lacey led us into the new age of video ministry during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mt. Zion has been blessed with a number of new ministries, which include aid to our youth, adults and seniors. We have experienced a renewed spirit of love and fellowship here at the Church and know that there is a sweet, sweet spirit in this place. We are "The Little Church On The Hill, Where Everybody Is Somebody".
HISTORY OF MT. ZION
CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
