Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church
334 North Live Oak, Carthage TexasThe History of Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church
Prepared by Larry Roberts
Presented at the 160th Anniversary (2004)
Mt. Zion Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized on November 2, 1870, during the 26th Session of the East Texas Methodist Conference. This Conference held its meetings in the Masonic Hall in Carthage.
One afternoon during this Conference, Counsel Edwin C. Hull (a white man) entertained 36 preachers and delegates in the front yard of his home that was located on North Live Oak and what is now East Sabine Street (also US Highway 79). Although the Hull house faced on East Sabine, it was only about a half block south of the future location of Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church.
One afternoon during this Conference, Bishop Enoch M. Marvin (a white man, who was the Methodist leader of the East Texas area), met with 20 Negro preachers and organized them in a new Texas Colored Conference made up of ministers and members in this area.
The first five members of Mt. Zion C.M.E. church were ex-slaves. Three of these were Ben Smith, Sr. and his wife and a lady known as "Aunt Susan" Evans. The first pastor was the Rev. Odom, a blind, traveling minister. At this time the names of the other two organizational members and the given name of the Rev. Odom are unknown.
The church was named Mt. Zion when it was set up and a brush arbor for worship services was built near the cemetery used by the African-Americans in Carthage. A stump was used for a pulpit. Church growth was very slow with no money, little education and a deep and abiding faith.
Dennis Frazier, Amusson McClemore and Clabe Johnson, trustees of the church, purchased two acres for land for the first church building. The deed for this tract states that the property is "where the church now stands", so the church building predates the land transaction. According to oral history, the first load of lumber was bought and hauled by Heenan Johnson for a one room structure that was built at that location. Later three-fourths of an acre of land from purchased for $62.35 from Sam A. and Iola Adams on December 27, 1889. A five room house was later bought and moved beside the church. This house was used as a parsonage until it burned in 1939.
In June of 1949, three members of the church borrowed money from the First National Bank of Carthage to remodel and add to the church. These members were Clemmie Andrew, Lucy Johnson and Mrs. Selma "Sweet" Connor. Mrs. Connor was the mother of Inez Chism Jones, who has been a life time member of the church.
Judge and Mrs. Willie B. Strong and other members of the First Methodist Church in Carthage became aware of the great struggle for adding to the church. They assisted the members in building a fellowship hall, a kitchen, a pastor's study, a choir room and bathrooms. When the work was finished Judge Strong requested that the structure and design never be changed.
During World War II, church membership dwindled as many members moved away to large industrial cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit for better jobs and new adventures.
In 1954, during the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement, the name of the church was changed from Mt. Zion Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, South to Mt. Zion Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1956, the Rev. A.R. Mayfield came to Mt. Zion and, during his pastorate, the debt was paid off and a ceremony was held to burn the mortgage papers.
In 1994, a Texas Historical Landmark marker was dedicated, honoring the history of the congregation. The Panola County Historical Commission assisted in preparing the application for the marker and participated in the unveiling ceremony.
In 1995, the church property was extended to the north of the building when the Henry Furrh Family donated one and one-half acres of land to the church.
In 1997, the Methodist Youth Army camped out at the First United Methodist Church and did volunteer work in the Carthage area. One of their projects was to build a much needed ramp for the handicapped at Mt. Zion.
Some former pastors of Mt. Zion include the following:
The Rev. T.J. Davis, Jr.
The Rev. Ronald Daniels
The Rev. Carl Lucas
The Rev. Earnest Stinson
The Rev. W.L. Gardner
The Rev. Nakia Smith, the current pastor
Some of the past presiding elders include the following:
Elder S.L. Garrett
Elder W.T. Moore
Elder W.L. Sneed
Elder R.A. Lewis
Elder V. McCallister
The Rev. A.R. Mayfield, the current elder.
Senior Bishop Marshall Gilmore is the current leader of the East Texas Conference and past bishops included Bishop R.A. Carter, Bishop M.C. Curry and Bishop C.D. Coleman.
Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church is a landmark in Panola County because, while the congregation may not be the oldest African-American church, but the building is the oldest continuous use African-American church in the county. Recent membership interests have brought about building improvements, but the traditional design has been retained. Under the leadership of the current pastor, the Rev. Nakia Smith, much of the interior of the church building has been renovated, exterior doors have been replaced and a new roof has been added. The repair of the exterior of the building is the current concern of the congregation and money raising efforts are underway.
Membership at Mt. Zion is small, but the members are large in the faith and are committed to carrying their church into the future.
Matthew 18:20
"Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."