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vioum ZAon m Jt'eanmgzon to celebrate" 100th anniversary
Greater Mt. Zion African lethodist Episcopal Church rill celebrate its 100th anniver-ary Sunday, Aug. 28. The hurch is preparing to observe ie landmark in its history. The blowing is the history of the hurch.
Special to the Echo Greater Mt. Zion African lethodist Episcopal Church 'as founded in Logtown in 894, at which time the Rev. Joe lowery was pastor, the Rev. J. r. Thompson, presiding elder, nd the Rt. Rev. Richard S. Dis-ey, presiding bishop.
Rev. Dowery saw the need for place to worship for his mem-ers and made an urgent plea to is congregation to aid in estab-shing this church.
Many responded to Rev. •owery. Among them were ■ros. Davis Sams, S. J. Parker nd H. H. Burton. This church ras known as Big Mt. Zion Afri-an Methodist Episcopal Ihurch.
Later the church moved and fas rebuilt in 1920 under the ;adership of Rev. H. J. Walker, 'he trustees continued to give heir whole-hearted Doperation.
Trustees were Bros. H. A. ■urton, David Sams, Mark llliott, Neville Sams, Elder .ayford, John Lee Sr., R. E, amg and Rev. Andrew Sams, luring this period the Rev. Tol-Dn served as presiding elder nd the Rt. Rev. William W. ieckett, presiding bishop.
In 1954, under the pastorate f Rev. Robert N. Sams, the lurch was relocated on a beau-ful hill overlooking the pines, living proof of God’s creation, It was through the Grace of •od that this endeavor was suc-sssful, as the members ha(J ttle or no money.
Rev. Sams, along with this •ustees and faithful members, jbuilt the church. The follow-ig trustees and members 5sponded to Rev. Sams’ call: ros. Sippio Morse, Charley
Jones, Ed Comelious, R. E. Sams, John Lee Sr., George Oliver, Theodore Oliver, Johnny Mitchell, Alfred Thomas, Ray Levi and Andrew Sams; Sis. Minnie Moultrie and Melvi-na Morse.
During this administration
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Robert N. Sams, along with his loyal members rebuilt the church.
The following served as officers of the church: Bros. R. E. Sams, George Oliver, Ray Levi, John Lee Sr., Henry Oliver, Sis.
was appointed pastor.
In 1991 the Rev. Frederick LeRoy Fields was appointed pastor and is currently serving. Under the administration of Pastor Fields the church congregation has moved to new spiritual hights in the Lord.
Church celebration
Mildred Wheat, class leader and officer, and Lillie Sams, wife of the late Rev. R.N. Sams, are getting ready for the church celebration Sunday, August 28. (Echo staff photo by Charlee Marshall)
the Rev. Durr served as presiding elder and the Rt. Rev. H. T.
Primm was presiding bishop.
This church remained at this location for ten years, until the United States Government acquired 130 acres of land to build the Mississippi Test Facility, which is currently known as the John C. Stennis Space Center.
In 1964, the church sold its property and the current site was purchased, and again Rev.
Minnie Moultrie, Adrelia Jackson, Mildred Wheat, Viola Burnett and Gussie Shelton.
The name of the church was changed to Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, because great things were truly happening. During this administration the Rev. R. A. Scott was presiding elder and the Rt. Rev. W. F. Ball, presiding bishop.
After serving many years as pastor, Rev. Robert N. Sams became ill and was unable to continue serving as pastor. In 1990, the Rev. Walter S. Lacey
We have since build a wheelchair ramp for our handicapped members. We have build a pump house to house our water well facilities. God has blessed us to receive office equipment to establish a church office complete with copier, typewriter and telephone services for the church.
The Spirit of the Lord has led us to assist in feeding the hungry by instituting a bread giveaway program. By the grace of God we are re-tooling for the next century, as we recognize that ‘Jesus Is The Door In 94’.
Our current presiding elder is the Rev. Joseph Young of the Brookhaven District, and our * ! bishop is the Rt. Rev. Robert Bob Thomas; presiding prelate *	of the Eighth Episcopal District
of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.	f
In 1994 Greater Mt. Zion is »;-i celebrating 100 years of Christ- ’ J1 iian service: The church has sur-i -.vived many storms and hurri-canes, but by the grace of God it AsT still*stands today	;	i
iWe are proud of the founders of this great church "and for the / many faithful members who
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