Zion Baptist Church

3600 North Broad Street

Philadelphia, PA 19140

Office: 215-223-5460 - Fax: 215-223-7833

Zion Mission Statement:

• History
• Ministries
• Organizations
• Activities
• Prayer Requests
• Zion's Ministers

History of Zion:

FOUNDER: Rev. Horace B. Wayland, D.D. (1882 - 1896)

Several churches were organized as a result of his activities:

1. Zion Baptist, Ardmore. PA
2. Second Baptist, Wayne, PA
3. North Penn Baptist, Philadelphia
4. Zion Baptist, Ambler, PA
5. Zion Baptist, Fernwood' PA
6. Galilee Baptist, Roxborough, PA
7. Tasker Street Baptist, Philadelphia
8. St. John's Baptist, Camden, NJ
9. Mt. Nebo Baptist, Atlantic City, NJ
10. Wayland Temple Baptist, Philadelphia
11. Mutchmore Memorial (now Faith Tabernacle Baptist), Philadelphia
12. Jones Memorial Baptist, Philadelphia

Second Pastor: Rev. Elbert W. Moore, D.D. (1897 - 1915)

Rev. Moore was called to the pastorate in 1897 from Denver, Colorade. He was deeply interested in the educatioal, civic, and economic life of people and constantly encourageed the youth to "pursue positive goals though education". Under his leadership, the church secured a Charter, installed a new organ and initiated action to acquire properties between Wallace and Mellon street, with 13th & Mellon Streets site purchased first. Through his ministry, Zion became one of the leading and outstanding churches in the city. He retired in 1915 and departed this life in 1941 in Pasadena, California.

Third Pastor: Rev. William Henry Moses, D.D. (1916 - 1921)

Rev. Moses was called to the pulpit in 1916. In addition to being a Biblical Scholar and expositor, he had great expertise in matters of finance. Under his leadership, the church liquidated many debts as well as sprearheading an $11,000 fundraiser not long after his installation. Rev. Moses left Zion in 1921 for a pastorship in New York where he passed away in 1941.

Fourth Pastor: Rev. William B. Reed, D.D. (1923 - 1925)

He pastored Zion from Easter Sunday(April 16,1923) until his untimely death on March 7, 1925. Under his very brief span of leadership, Rev. Reed headed negotiations for the purchase of the grounds on which the church stood. He also encouraged the development of the Baptist Young People's Union(B.Y.P.U.)

Fifth Pastor: Rev. Robert J. Langston: (1926 -1942)

In 1926, Rev. Langston accepted the call to pastor Zion Baptist Church and pastored the church until his death in 1942. Under his ministry, the R.J. Langton Chorus, the Sunlight Club and the Emergency Clubs were established. He was vitally interested the youth of the church and the community and in making the church a significant factor in the develoment of the spirtual and communuity life of all people. He had envisioned and initiated steps towards the construction of a Christian Communtiy Center near the church. However, it was unfortunately postponed due to the outbreak of World War II.

Sixth Pastor: Rev. Arthur W. Jones: (1945 - 1949)

Rev. Jones was the pastor of St. Paul's Baptist Church, Riverton, NJ when he accepted the call to become the pastor of Zion. Under his leadership, the church purchase new pasonage and raised $10,000 toward the purchased of a new church buiding, but the congregation in the building voted against selling. Rev. Jones left Zion in 1949 to become the pastor of Pilgram Baptist Church in Newark, NJ.

Seventh Pastor: Rev. Leon H. Sullivan: (1950 - 1988)

Rev. Sullivan joined Zion in 1950. In 1955, Zion moved fromn 13th and Mellon Streets to Broad and Venango Streets, purchasing the St. Paul's Reformed Episcopal Church for $225,000. This mortgage was settled in 1958. In 1969, Zion purchased the Trinity reformed Church of Philadelphia at a cost of 220,000. It was transformed into an Urban Christian Training Center. Reverend Sullivan was the true "Lion of Zion". Through his leadership, membership grew from 600 to 6,000. The following programs were initiated, a day care center, Federal Credit union, Community Center Programs, an employment agency, Home for the Retired, Adult Education, Reading Classes, Family Counseling Service, OIC, the 10-36-50 Program, Progrss Plaza, Zion Gardens and Opportunity Towers. These were just some of the ventures organized by this Leader through the congregation. However tragedy occurred in 1970, Zion was totally destroy by fire. Rev. Sullivan promised that Zion would rise like "a Phoenix from these ashes!". Services were held in the Trinity (now known as the Zion Communtiy Center). In 1973, The new cornerstone was laid. Again, financially astute Zion settled its mortgage in record time. It was paid off in just 10 short years. Rev. Sullivan retired in 1988. Click on Rev. Sullivan Image to view his web site, see his video, and listen to his audio.

Eighth Pastor: Rev. Gus Roman: (1988 - 1993)

Rev. Roman joined Zion in 1988. He came by way of New York and Canaan Baptist in Philadelphia. He has made many contribution to the community and the church family. Among this list include a correspondence Bible course, weekly Bible Study Group, Transportation Ministry, Puppet and Clown Ministry, Retreats, Leadership workshop and classes for Future Leaders, the Zion Outreach Support Ministry, Zion care ministry, and the Human Services Center. Rev Gus Roman roared like a lion at Zion and returned to Canaan in 1993.

Ninth Pastor: Rev. William J. Key: (1995 - 2000)

Rev. Key joined Zion in 1983, under the pastorate of Rev. Sullivan, as an Associate Minister. He excelled at ministering to the Youth and adults. Rev. Key founded the New Dimensions, A group of young adults who looked to the Lord and sought opportunities to discuss and share spiritual, social, political and economic issues. During his brief tenure, Rev. key enhanced the Captial Fund Drive and increased the number of tithers, which also raised church revenue. In addition, he strengthened relationships with other churches and the community to form a community initiative to resolve various issues such as housing. He served on the Board of directors of Temple University Hospital. Rev. Key resigned after five years to accept an administrative position with the American Baptist Churches Southern Division.

Ministries and Service Auxilaries:

Leadership Organizations at Zion:

Ministries and Service Auxilaries at Zion:

• Cub and Boy Scouts Scoutmaster - Robert Galloway mondays 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
• Sunday School-Sundays 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Katies Myles, Superintendent
• Saturday Church School-Saturdays 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon Deac. Joseph Nelson
• Zion Care Church Service-Sundays 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.(homeless) Dinner 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
• Free Counseling and Clothing Giveaway-Saturdays and Sundays, Margie Brown, Chairperson

• Transportation Ministry-Dea. William B. Moore
• Correspondence Biblical Institute-John Clanton & Rebecca Rew- Instructors
• Church Mentoring Network-Bennie Scott Area Director, Deacon Lawrence Spruel, Zion's Coordinator days and hour vary
• Food Bank Food Distribution-Every Thursday Charlene Key,Director
• Adult Computer Classes-Mondays and Wednesdays-5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Fridays-9:00 a.m. - 12 noon - Anita Chappell Director

Prayer Request

• Prayer line Tuesday 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Prayer Requests -- Call 215-223-5460
• Bible Study Tuesdays 7:00 p.m.
• Fax a Prayer Request--Facsimile 215-223-7833
• Prayer for the Sick and Shut-in

Zion's Ministers:

• Rev. Dr Daly Barnes----------> Pastor
• Rev. William B. Glenn---------> Senior Associate Minister
• Rev. Thelma Lunsford-Gray---> Associate Minister
• Rev. Nathan Lee Coleman-----> Associate Minister
• Vacant---> Youth Minister

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This site was designed and developed by Henry May with special Permission from Ronald J. Harper, Esq. of Zion Baptist Church. E-mail comments to Hmay@ccp.edu