Mount Zion Baptist Church
Mt Zion Baptist Church in Harris Chapel Cummunity, Beckville, Texas
Photocopy of church
The original Mr. [sic] Zion Church was built in *July, 1970 [sic] near the present site on land donated by J W Bowen, Sr.
The second building - a one-room wood structure with a 200-seat sanctuary, was erected in late 1910. Mr. [sic] Zion became a member of the Rusk-Panola Baptist Assoc. in the early 1930's.
Member in 1936 was 75.
In the early 1940's two Sunday School rooms, choir section and porch were added to the church. Worship service increased to twice a month in 1945.
A budget system was set up in 1951 and worship services extended to full-time a short time later.
The present building was erected in late 1951 and early 1952, which included a large sanctuary and two Sunday School classrooms.
The north wing was added in 1958 - two Sunday School rooms which served also as the fellowship hall, and a porch.
Water was made available in 1970 when a well was dug on land donated by Mr and Mrs W R Metcalf.
Another addition of three rooms restrooms and Baptistry was begun in 1972 when Sunday School enrollment peaked 83. Central heat and air were included.
The church now has a steeple and has been painted white.
Mt. Zion is a member of ht [sic, the] Southern Baptist Convention.
[*I don't know the origin or date of this article but I'm guessing the original church was built in 1870 instead of 1970.]