History

Mt Zion Missionary Baptist Church
1047 Kenwood Street, Hammond Indiana 46320
The Late Rev. William R. Collins, Pasto/Teacher
The Friendly Place of Worship & The place to Be

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church is recognized as the First Black Baptist Church to be established in the Hammond, Indiana Community in 1919. As we are approaching our 100th Year Church Anniversary, we have begun to reflect on the history of how we made it this far in our journey as a God fearing, praising, loving, and preaching church. We are constantly reassured that we have made it this far only because of God’s Grace and Mercy and by continuously operating under his Almighty Provision.

In the year of 1919, our 1st location was located at 1122 Merrill Street under the leadership of Rev. Phillips. Within the same year Mt. Zion changed location twice, first to 1040 Conkey Street under the leadership of Rev. Jackson, and then to 940 Kenwood Street under the leadership of Rev. Covington. Soon after moving 940 Kenwood Street, the church was led by Rev. Chilsom, who remained the Pastor of Mt. Zion for 2 years (1919-1921). Succeeding Rev. Chilsom, Rev. Davis became the newly ordained Pastor at Mt. Zion. Davis remained Pastor for 25 years (1921-1946) and helped gain Mt. Zion standing within the community. In 1945, Davis suggested that Rev. Burns be ordained as the Pastor of Mt. Zion, which Rev. Burns did in December of 1945. Rev. Burns then led Mt. Zion as Pastor for 53 years (1945-1998). Before Rev. Davis passed, he gave the first $25 that was put into the Building Fund to support construction of the 1047 Kenwood Street building.

Accomplishments under Rev. A.R. Burns:

Accomplishments under Rev. A.R. Burns:

  • Street named after Rev. Burns in Hammond, IN. Titled the Rev. A. R. Burns Dr.

  • Completed construction of Mt. Zion’s Church Building in 1949

  • Completed construction of the Rev. A.R. Burns Mount Zion Pleasant View Plaza in 1983

  • First Tenants of the Mt. Zion Plaza moved in June 1st of 1983

  • One of the Founding Pastors and Pioneers of the MLK Convention
  • Introduced the Church Motto, “The Friendly Place of Worship!”

  • Marched with MLK for Civil Rights and Heavily Involved in NAACP

  • Instrumental in Baptist Minister Conference in Gary & Vicinity

  • Faithful in Progressive National Baptist Convention

In 1998, Rev. Burns took ill and due to his physical health, he couldn’t continue to perform his duties as Pastor. Before Rev. Burns passed, The Late Rev. William R. Collins was called to be the Pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. For the past 19 years, (1998-Present) Rev. Collins has faithfully and wholeheartedly served God and his people. A man with extensive education from places like Moody Bible Institute and large amounts of knowledge and experience in theology, hermeneutics, and homiletics has truly been a blessing to teaching and expounding upon the word of God and till this day he continues to do the same.

Accomplishments under The Late Rev. William R. Collins:

  • Food Pantry and Community Outreach
  • Vacation Bible School and Summer Camp Ministry
  • Retreat Involvements
  • Inter Faith Federation
  • Purchase of Properties
  • New Sound System
  • Carpeting of Entire Church
  • Live Streaming and In-House TV Screens
  • Added “The Place to Be!” to Church Motto