Our History

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church has been a center of spiritual, social and economic life since San Diego's first Black pioneers settled here over a century ago. The Mount Zion Baptist Church was the first in Logan Heights.

In 1895, in the month of May, the Lord came to Sister Joella Lee Freeman in a vision, and said to her, "The time is ripe. I want a church established in the next street, in the middle of the block!"

She told some of the old timers of the vision and on a Wednesday night, they met at the home of Sister Freeman on Martin Avenue and held a wonderful prayer meeting. After several Wednesday night meetings for about one month, Sister Freeman was given papers signed by seven members with the desire to establish a church. The papers were taken to the Mayor of San Diego and to the City Council, who willingly signed papers authorizing her to collect funds to purchase the ground on which a small building was standing.

Sister Freeman had success wherever she went to solicit funds. She received a check from Mayor J. Wilds and also a check from the City Council. With this money, they drew up a contract and agreed to purchase the two lots on Greely Avenue. A small dwelling on the property was removed, room dividers were removed and a pulpit was made. (Although deed research shows that Mrs. Olive Luscomb and C. E. Luscomb purchased the property in 1895 and sold it to the church's trustees in October 1897, the Luscombs may have been church members and made the purchase for the church before the formal sale two years later).

In the month of July 1895, seven ministers from Los Angeles came down with nine members. The Mount Zion Baptist Church was organized with Reverend Pius as the first Minister. Sister Freeman organized a Missionary Society, of which she was President for many years. Reverend Pius pastored the church for a little over a year and the membership increased to about 25 members.

Reverend McCarty supplied the pulpit for a few months, when Reverend Langley was then called. After Reverend Langley, Reverend R.V. Green supplied the pulpit for about six months.

From about 1900 to 1920, Mount Zion was the only African American church in Logan Heights. Increasingly, during these years, Logan Heights became a primary location for African American families in San Diego.

The Western Baptist Conference sent Reverend Peter Roberson, who pastored Mt. Zion for seven years and the membership grew to about 75 members. In about 1902, Reverend George Washington Woodbey was pastor. Reverend Woodbey was a politically active Baptist Minister who came to San Diego at the age of 48. A publication article describes Rev. Woodbey as “possibly the most brilliant orator, writer and intellect ever to reside in San Diego’s black community”…a self-educated ex-slave from Johnson County, Tennessee, who had been active in politics in Kansas and Nebraska before coming to San Diego.

The Rev. W. W. Burgess was the next pastor and pastored for four years before offering his resignation. During this time the church was remodeled and made larger. Rev. Caldwell pastored for three years before his death. Rev. W. R. Smith pastored for four years and resigned. Rev. P.P. Pope was pastor for seven years. During this time Rev. T. C. Columbus became pastor for three years.

Pastor Caney Johnson was called to pastor Mt. Zion in 1937 and served successfully and faithfully for 41 years. Under his leadership, the membership grew in faithful members. He was a man who knew how to get the job done. The California Baptist State Convention recognized these and many other fine qualities in him. He was Progressive District Moderator for 25 years and elected as Second Vice-President of the State Convention, a position he held for a number of years. He was devoted to his calling and firm in his convictions, steadfast in his decisions and faithful in his services. He had a great love for young people and a deep concern for lost souls of men. His manner of Christian life and leadership abilities was a wonderful example for Christians of today to follow. Rev. Johnson departed this life August 9, 1979.

Pastor J. Linzie Whitmill was installed September 30, 1979, becoming the twelfth Pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church. Under Pastor Whitmill's leadership, the church has grown. A fifteen passenger van and a bus have been purchased, robes purchased for all choirs, United and Youth Usher uniforms purchased, office staff added and up-to-date office equipment purchased.

Equipment has been purchased to implement our tape and radio ministry, a new piano purchased, church beautification program started, young adult choir organized and named after him (J. LINZIE FELLOWSHIP CHOIR), tutorial and scholarship programs, church family trips to San Francisco, Dallas and a cruise to the islands, organized yearbooks, church calendars and Church Membership Directories produced. Some of the ministries instituted by Pastor Whitmill include a new member orientation class, Deacon Family Ministry Plan, Soul Winning Teams and Radio Ministry, weekly Bible studies and printed outlines for youth, young adults and general church body, successful Vacation Bible School and printed Weekly Bulletins.

Moving further, the church purchased land at 30th and Marcy, on Logan Avenue and 3047 Greely for parking lots. The C. Johnson Building was purchased. The Fellowship Hall is on land purchased for expansion of our church for $85,000.00. Recently land was purchased at 31st and Greely for parking for $25,000.00. During Pastor Whitmill's pastorage at Mt. Zion there have been five sons added to the Ministry, two Associate Ministers and six Deacons. Our Pastor has made many strides and accomplishments. He was awarded the Golden State Association Medical Application Award in June 1983; Honorary Citizen - San Bernardino, California, April 1984, Pastor of the Year - Eastern Star, successful revivals statewide and out of state and Recording Secretary for the Progressive District Association. Pastor Whitmill is the Second Vice-Moderator Progressive District Association, elected in 1994.

He is the General Secretary of the California Missionary Baptist State Convention, elected in 1995. Pastor Whitmill led us from "VISION TO VICTORY" from 1982 to marching into our new sanctuary on December 3, 1995. We reached our $300,000 goal in 1993.In May 1993, Mr. Adams of A & A Construction of Longview, Texas was asked to start the process for our church and designed one of the renderings for $7,500.00. On September 20, 1993, Dominy & Associates Architects of San Diego, was brought on board and on October 1, 1993, documents were signed for the design of our present sanctuary. On May 13, 1994, we received our Conditional Use Permit (#93-0680) to build our church from the City of San Diego Planning Department, Development and Environmental Planning Division. Approximately 60 members attended this historic meeting. November 2, 1994, we signed the contract with Zigman-Shields General Contractors to build our church. On November 6, 1994, we had our last service in the building before demolition was started on December 7, 1994. Our Groundbreaking Service was held at 3:00 in the afternoon on November 6, 1994.

We had our first service in our home away from home at the 31st Street Seventh Day Adventist Church, 414 S. 31st Street, San Diego, Rev. Cleveland Hobdy, III, Pastor, on November 12, 1994.

Construction was started on December 7, 1994 and completed on December 1, 1995. On Sunday, December 3, 1995 at 10:00 A.M., we marched from the 31st Street Seventh Day Adventist Church and cut the ribbon and came into our new sanctuary. Dr. S. M. Lockridge was the speaker for our 11:00 A.M. worship. (# in attendance-approx. 900). At 3:00 P.M., we celebrated the Grand Dedication and Centennial Celebration at the same time. Dr. W. T. Snead, President of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, President of California Missionary Baptist Convention and Pastor of the Greater Temple of Clod Baptist Church, Los Angeles, was our speaker. (# in attendance approx. 1000).

Pastor Whitmill preached his first sermon in the new sanctuary on December 10, 1995. at 11:00 A.M. The new sanctuary dedicated on December 3rd, 1995 is a far cry from the "few boards" of Mt. Zion's first home and the pieced-together building that served for nearly a Century . But, the spirit that led those first pioneer worshippers still leads today's congregation. The legacy and vision of the founders, pioneers and others live on in all those who have contributed to the beautiful new home for San Diego's oldest black church in Logan Heights.On Sunday, March 17. 1996, we dedicated our Cornerstone following the Morning Worship. On April 9, 1996 at 4:30 P.M„ we signed the "loan documents" with Union Bank, San Diego. The loan was signed for $850,000, The following members signed the loan document: Sister Charlotte Jackson, Chairman of the Trustees, Brother Johnny Payne, Treasurer and Sister Winifred Dunn, Secretary of the Trustees.

The Mount Zion Baptist Church has continued its ministry of the African. American community in the decades since that time. The church has remained active in encouraging and assisting its members in the process of building self-esteem and economic independence, and today proudly counts among its diverse congregation many who grew up within the church to become successful professionals and business owners. Every fourth Sunday in 1996, we celebrated our Centennial with guest Pastors and churches throughout the City of San Diego and Texas. Our theme for the year was "VISION TO VICTORY”- 1 Corinthians 15:57 and MOTTO: "Except the Lord Build The House, They Labor In Vain That Build It" - Psalm 127:1

Mount Zion, we have a rich heritage, one we should be proud of. Let’s continue to thank the Lord for blessing our church through the years and years to come.