This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

Mount Zion in Pearlington to celebrate 100th anniversary
Greater Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church will celebrate its 100th anniversary Sunday, Aug. 28. • The church is preparing to observe the landmark in its history. The following is the history of the church.
Special to the Echo
Greater Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in Logtown in 1894, at which time the Rev. Joe Dowery was pastor, the Rev. J. G. Thompson, presiding elder, and the Rt. Rev. Richard S. Disney, presiding bishop.
Rev. Dowery saw the need for a place to worship for his members and made an urgent plea to his congregation to aid in establishing this church.
Many responded to Rev. Dowery. Among them were Bros. Davis Sams, S. J. Parker and H. H. Burton. This church was known as Big Mt. Zion Afri-can Methodist Episcopal Church.
Later the church moved and was rebuilt in 1920 under the leadership of Rev. H. J. Walker. The trustees continued to give their whole-hearted cooperation.
Trustees were Bros. H. A. Burton, David Sams, Mark Elliott, Neville Sams, Elder Rayford, John Lee Sr., R. E. Sams and Rev. Andrew Sams. During this period the Rev. Tol-son served as presiding elder and the Rt. Rev. William W. Beckett, presiding bishop.
In 1954, under the pastorate of Rev. Robert N. Sams, the church was relocated on a beautiful hill overlooking the pines, a living proof of God’s creation.
It was through the Grace of God that this endeavor was successful, as the members had little or no money.
Rev. Sams, along with this trustees and faithful members, rebuilt the church. The following trustees and members responded to Rev. Sams’ call: Bros. 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
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.
mmtm
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.
In 1994 Greater Mt. Zion is celebrating 100 years of Christian service. The church has survived many storms and hurricanes, but by the grace of God it still stands today.
We are proud of the founders y of this great church and for the Y many faithful members who struggled to make their dreams - a reality. i
f
t