Church History

Located in the heart of Steelton, Pennsylvania, Mt. Zion Baptist Church was organized on Wednesday, August 16, 1895 under the leadership of Reverend Joseph J. Jones. The first gathering of its 35 members was held at 314 Lincoln Street, Steelton, Pennsylvania in the home of William J. Campbell. Reverend Jones, the first pastor, was born on May 6, 1850 in Nashville, Tennessee. He was ordained to the ministry in Second Baptist Church, Alexandria, Virginia and he served Mt. Zion for eight months.

Reverend J. T. Hamilton first came to preach at Mt. Zion in the spring of 1896. The congregation was impressed with him and he was called. He accepted the call on June 1, 1896. Since its inception, Mt. Zion remained without a church home and so Reverend Hamilton and his trustees approached the officers of St. John’s Lutheran Church, located at 20 Locust Street, Steelton, Pennsylvania. They made them an offer for the purchase of their vacant church building. An agreement was reached and Mt. Zion purchased the building and took possession on the second Sunday of August, 1899. Reverend Hamilton shepherded the Mt. Zion flock for seven years.

On December 12, 1902, Mt. Zion extended the call to Reverend Charles Lambert. Reverend Lambert accepted the call and assumed the pastorate on March 1, 1903. Reverend Lambert worked hard to build up the church, adding many members to Christ’s Kingdom.

Reverend T. C. Crittendon accepted the call and assumed the pastorate on June 1, 1905. He was licensed to preach by the Reverend Y. H. Putney and ordained by Reverend R. H. Nickens. While under his direction, the church installed a beautiful pipe organ. Reverend Crittendon led the Mt. Zion membership for five years.

On September 1, 1910, Reverend T. D. Atkins accepted the call and assumed pastoral duties at Mt. Zion. He focused on building-up our church on the inside and outside. Reverend Atkins added many new souls to our membership. He directed the beautification of the church by remodeling. New carpets were laid, a new roof was installed, and a new kitchen was built in the new basement.

The sixth pastor, Reverend P. H. Hughes, accepted the call from Mt. Zion and began his pastorate here on April 4, 1914. In July, 1914, the parsonage at Harrisburg and Lincoln Streets, Steelton, Pennsylvania was purchased. The individual communion service set was purchased and put into use and baptistery was installed.

Reverend Warner Brown, Doctor of Divinity, answered the call and became the seventh pastor on December 19, 1915. In the twelfth year of his pastorate, the old wooden frame structure of Mt. Zion was torn down and rebuilt with brick and concrete. This present structure stands as a memorial to his untiring, unselfish, sincere, and long-desired efforts. Reverend Brown served the Mt. Zion flock for over 36 years.

On August 29, 1951, Reverend Pennod L. Dunlap was called by Mt. Zion and he accepted the call on September 2, 1951. During his pastorate, our present oil-fired steam heating system was installed. Reverend Dunlap served our flock for over 11 years.

Mt. Zion’s ninth pastor, Reverend Dr. T. Orestus Wilson was called by Mt. Zion on August 20, 1962. Accepting the call, he assumed full pastoral duties on Sunday, November 4, 1962 and was formally installed on Sunday, December 2, 1962 with Reverend Franklin L. Henley officiating. Along with his service to Mt. Zion, Reverend Wilson also served as chaplain of several correctional institutions, Harrisburg Hospital and The Steelton Hygienic Volunteer Fire Company. He was teacher/professor for the Central District Congress of Christian Education, the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention and Congress of Christian Education, the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, the Auxiliary to National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and at Messiah College (Adjunct Professor). Well prepared and a Godly man, he was lovingly referred to as the “Dean.” A great many improvements were made to the church under his leadership, including the annex and land adjacent to Mt. Zion. He was called to rest on December 30, 2000.

With grateful hearts, we thank God for sending us a new shepherd after His own heart, Reverend Dr. Ronnie B. Tucker, Sr., who answered the call on September 21, 2003. We pray that God will bless this union -- shepherd and flock – and that “the Lord shall guide [us] continually”. Isaiah 58:11.

 Founded August 16, 1895