Mount Zion First Baptist Church facts for kids
Mt. Zion First Baptist Church is a very important church located at 333 Martin Luther King Drive in San Antonio, Texas. It has a long and rich history, especially for African Americans in the city.
This church was started in 1871 by people who were formerly enslaved. Since then, it has helped thousands of people through its services. It also played a huge part in the Civil Rights Movement in San Antonio, working for fairness and equal rights for everyone.
Contents
A Leader for Change
In 1949, a new pastor named Reverend Claude Black Jr. joined Mt. Zion. He was a powerful leader who helped the church become well-known across the country, especially within the National Baptist Convention.
Reverend Black's Impact
Reverend Black became a true hero of the Civil Rights Movement. He also served as a city councilman in San Antonio. He was brave enough to invite many important people to speak at his church, even if their ideas were new or challenging at the time. These speakers included famous figures like Thurgood Marshall, who later became a Supreme Court Justice, and Barbara Jordan, a groundbreaking politician. Other notable speakers were Adam Clayton Powell Jr, Azie Taylor Morton, and Percy Sutton.
Helping the Community
Under Reverend Black's leadership, Mt. Zion First Baptist Church did more than just hold services. It created San Antonio's very first credit union owned by African Americans. This helped people in the community manage their money and build financial strength. The church also started a program called Project Free. This program was dedicated to helping people who were poor or elderly, providing them with much-needed support.
Overcoming Challenges
In 1974, the church building faced a terrible event when it was burned down by arson. However, the community and its members did not give up. They worked together to rebuild the church, and it was reopened just one year later in 1975. This showed the strong spirit and determination of the congregation.
See also
External links
- Official Church Website: http://www.mountzionfbc.org
- Mt Zion Reopens after fire 1974
