History
The Beautiful Zion Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1914 on the O. K. Farm. The organizing Pastor’s name is unknown. In 1923, the church was later moved to 416 South 15th Street in West Memphis, Arkansas under the leadership of Rev. Brown. In 1950, the wooden church was torn down and rebuilt with stone under the leadership of Rev. Robert Henry Anthony. The address was changed to 420 South 15th Street due to the size of the stone building. In 1965, the stone building was torn down and the church was rebuilt with brick under the leadership of Rev. Samuel L. Henry.
The first choir was organized by the Barlow Singers. The first Usher Board was formed by Sister Joanne Guest who became their president.
On January 4, 1997 under the leadership of Pastor E. D. Whitfield, construction began of a new sanctuary. The original church entrance was converted into a Christian education wing and the fellowship hall was remodeled. A beautiful neon sign was erected. Construction was completed on November 16, 1998. Labors ranged in age from 10 to 85 years old. Rental houses, lots of property, church bus and vans, and audiovisual equipment was purchased. The Little Zion Daycare Learning Academy was started in 1998. Sis. Annie Bledsoe started the Annual Thanksgiving dinner feeding as an outreach to the community.
The church mortgage was paid in full on March 7, 2013. The Mortgage Burning Ceremony was held August 23, 2015 during the 101st Church Anniversary Celebration.
We will always remember the former Pastors and Assistant Pastor of this church: Rev. Brown (1923); Rev. Edwards; Rev. O. J. Wade; Rev. Harrison Boykins (1930-1946); Rev. Robert Henry Anthony (1946-1958); Rev. Sidney L. Hampton (1958-1959); Rev. Samuel L. Henry (1960-1969); Rev. Leroy Johnson (1970-1975); Dr. E. D. Whitfield (1976-2020); and Rev. Andrew Edgar Barlow who served as Assistant Pastor from 1958-1997. Our present Pastor, Bishop Brian D. Olden, was elected to serve as Pastor on September 19, 2021. He took over the leadership of the church on October 3, 2021.
Under the leadership of Bishop Olden, in October 2021 an Executive Council made up of deacons, trustees, and members at large was established to help govern and give some direction for the best interest of the Kingdom of God and the Church. A church logo was designed to be used as the official symbol of the church.
The church continues to engage in Outreach Ministry. In 2023, the church started a Prison Outreach Ministry. Pastor Robert Joyce oversees the ministry. In addition, the church supported our member, Sis. Erica Wooten, who conjoined with Union University School of Anesthesia on a medical and spiritual mission trip to the Dominican Republic. On this mission trip, over 500 patients were treated, given free medication, free prescriptions, and prayed for. One person accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.
February 18, 2024, the Welcome Center was opened. It serves as a central hub for information, guidance, and assistance, making it easier for new individuals to navigate through the church and get involved in various activities.
On June 27, 2024, the property located at 400 South 15th Street was purchased by the church. The church now owns all property adjacent to it in the 400 block of South 15th Street.
This church has had as pastors such devout and Christian preachers, men of God, like our present one who have preached the gospel so that everyone could hear of Jesus, know of His goodness and see His works in the lives of men, women, boys, and girls.
Persecution has not crushed the church. Power has not beaten back the church and time has not abated the church’s force. The abuses and treason of enemies have not shaken the church’s stability, for the church is founded on the rock, “Jesus”.
For years, this church has stood as a sentinel pointing men, women, boys, and girls to the heavenly way in the midst of a world of turmoil and in the face of strife and war. At times when world ideals are crumbling, this church has held high the banner of Christ who said, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18.
May this church continue to stand in years to come as it has stood as a living monument of a Savior who died that all men might live.
“ But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. ”
