ZION BAPTIST CHURCH

SESQUICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 1865—2015

150 Years: Celebrating the Joy of God’s Blessings SESQUICENTENNIAL EDITION OF THE ZION BAPTIST CHURCH INFORMER NOVEMBER 2014

A Word From the Chair Can you believe that Zion will be celebrating 150 years of serving Christ Our Lord next year? If you don’t already know, January 1, 2015 marks the beginning of an exciting time for the Zion Baptist Church Family as we will be celebrating our Sesquicentennial Church An-niversary all year long. Amazing! Organized in 1865, we have been a beacon of light sharing the Word of God, serving our congregation and community, as well as the City of Columbia and the State of South Carolina throughout our various internal and external outreach ministries and programs. Our theme for this grand celebration is 150 Years: Cele-brating the Joy of God’s Blessings. The scriptural reference is I Corinthians 3:9-14.

A special opening ceremony is being planned during Morning Worship Service on Sunday, January 4, 2015. In addition, various ministries and others have been working to assure that not only this service is a grand celebration, but all others planned throughout the year as well. We want to make sure everyone is aware of all the festivities. So, please read this special news-letter carefully as it shares pertinent information about who, what, when, where and how for you to be in place at the right time. Invite family and friends to join us. My prayer is that you will be richly blessed through all of our efforts. I look forward to seeing you and being with you throughout the year.

Sis. Ojetta Flemming, Chair

From The Pastor’s Desk It is my distinct honor and pleasure to pen these few lines as we prepare to launch our Sesquicentennial Celebration. As you have heard me say, we will be celebrating the joys of receiving God's blessings the past 150 years throughout next year. So I look forward to the new year with great anticipa-tion, enthusiasm, and excitement. In my review of the church's history, I have discovered so many great and wonderful things about Zion...it's charter members, humble beginnings, pastoral leaders, ministries and programs. What I truly find remarkable is that while Zion was founded many years prior to the African-American Civil Rights Movement which was aimed at eliminating racial discrimina-tion, improving educational and employment opportunities, and establishing electoral power...it survived! Having survived speaks to the incredible resolve, faith, and courage of our founding fathers to establish a church during a period of extreme uncertainty and national instability. Few could have imagined that such humble beginnings would have grown into the religious, cultural, and civic institu-tion that Zion is today. For all of these blessings, let's not take this period of celebration lightly...rejoice joyously! I am grateful for the opportunity to serve during this momentous time. I encourage everyone to get involved and share in all of the planned festivities throughout the year of celebration, reflection, and renewal.

In His Name, KE Donalson

Zion Baptist Church 1865

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SESQUICENTENNIAL EDITION OF THE ZION BAPTIST CHURCH INFORMER NOVEMBER 2014

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Anniversary Black-Tie Gala On Friday, June 26, 2015, at the Medallion Conference Center, the stage has been set for the Zi-on Baptist Church Sesquicentennial Church Anniver-sary Black Tie Gala! An occasion that no one will want to miss is guaranteed to be remembered by all in attendance many years later. Tickets will be avail-able in April and are priced as follows: $40 single, $75 couple and $400 for a reserved table of 8. Anyone that is anybody will be in attendance! A souvenir journal is also being prepared and will highlight these festivities as well as many other his-torical events and activities. Everyone is encouraged

to make sure their name and/or family is included by placing an ad or being a patron. Placing an ad in this journal will also aid in preserving Zion’s vibrant history and sustaining much needed ministries. Yes, we en-courage ads in memoriam of loved ones. The Journal Ad Form is located on page 5 that must be completed and returned by Monday, March 16, 2015 for all ads to be placed in the journal. Please make sure pertinent details specific and necessary for your ad is provided. Call the church office at 803-779-2809 for further information.

Sesquicentennial Church Anniversary Opening Ceremony Sunday, January 4, 2015 11:00AM-2:00PM

Homeless Feeding & Clothing Donation Outreach Saturday, January 31, 2015 10:00AM-1:00 PM

Senior Citizens Black history Outreach Wednesday, February 11, 2015 11:00AM –1:00PM

Tour of Black Columbia Saturday, February 14, 2015 10:00AM—1:00PM

Sesquicentennial Pastor’s Anniversary Celebration Sunday, February 15, 2015 11:00AM—1:00PM

The Historic Significance & Role of the Black Church Saturday, February 21, 2015 10:00AM-1:00PM

Sesquicentennial Fashion Revue Saturday, March 7, 2015 11:00AM—1:00PM

Sesquicentennial Women’s Day Sunday, March 8, 2015 11:00AM-1:00PM

Remember When: Historic Review of Zion Baptist Church Wednesday, April, 15, 2015 10:00AM—1:00PM

150 Mothers In Pink Brunch Saturday, May 16, 2015 11:00AM—2:00PM

Sesquicentennial Youth Day/Graduates Program Sunday, May 17, 2015 11:00AM—1:00PM

Sesquicentennial Church Anniversary Black-Tie Gala Friday, June 26, 2015 7:00PM—11:00PM

Sesquicentennial Church Anniversary Celebration Sunday, June 28, 2015 11:00AM—1:00PM

Celebration Activities/Dates To Remember January 2015 — June 2015

Pastors Through The Years

Rev. Frank Dobbins (1865—1886)

Rev. H. M. Bouye (1886—1890)

Rev. Baylor (1890—1913)

Rev. J. C. White (1913—1929)

Rev. James P. Reeder (1929—1960)

Rev. Jesse M. Walker (1962—1970)

Rev. George B. Hamilton (1972—1973)

Rev. Dr. Arthur W. Goforth, II (1973—1993)

Rev. Dr. Lewis P. Graham, Sr. (1994— 2008)

Rev. James B. Adams (2008—2009)

Rev. Dr. Kevin E. Donalson, Sr. (2009—Present)

SESQUICENTENNIAL EDITION OF THE ZION BAPTIST CHURCH INFORMER NOVEMBER 2014

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Did You Know…

When Zion was organized in 1865, there were only about 25 members and it was located in the 1400 block of Gadsden Street?

On March 20, 1886, Palmetto Lodge No. 5 of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows conveyed to Benjamin F. Goodwin, in trust for the members of Zion, the lot next to and east of the Church’s lot (the former Parsonage now the Zion Conference Building) for the sum of $350.00.

In accordance with ACT NO. 252 of the 1870 General Assembly of South Carolina, the Governor was authorized to transfer a 52' x 208' lot on the corner of Washington and Gadsden Streets to John Little, Alfred Goodwin, Stephen McDaniel, Martin Mary, Andrew Worthy, and Isaac Goodwin (Deacons of Zion Baptist Church) for the sum of $10.00.

On April 11, 1888, the State Baptist Woman’s Missionary and Educational Convention of S.C. was organized here at Zion Baptist Church.

On July 13, 1913, Rev. J. C. White began his pastorate at Zion. Under his guidance Zion Baptist Church reached its peak. The church’s membership swelled to over a thousand, necessitating the construc- tion of a larger church. In 1916, J. H. Cooper, a building contractor, was employed to erect the present church at a cost of over $65,000.00.

On November 19, 1919, the Gethsemane Baptist Women Educational and Missionary Convention of S.C. was organized at Zion Baptist Church.

Zion Baptist Church was the first black church in the Columbia area with an organized Boy Scouts Program.

In March 1984, the Columbia City Council authorized the listing of Zion Baptist Church in the City Archives in recognition of Zion’s rich historical background. A marker inscribed: “LANDMARK #157 - AMERICAN REVOLUTION BICENTENNIAL RICHLAND COUNTY COMMITTEE” has been placed on the church.

Zion Baptist Church

1920—1930

SESQUICENTENNIAL EDITION OF THE ZION BAPTIST CHURCH INFORMER NOVEMBER 2014

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You’re Invited

Reverend Dr. Kevin E. Donalson, Sr.

and the

The Zion Baptist Church Family

cordially invites you to its

Sesquicentennial Church Anniversary

Opening Ceremony

Sunday, January 4, 2015

11:00AM -2:00PM.

A Balloons Over Zion Blessing

and Reception

will follow immediately

shepherding in a year of continuous

praise and fellowship.

To God Be The Glory!

Opening Ceremony Sunday, January 4, 2015

11:00 AM—2:00PM Zion Baptist Church

801 Washington Street, Columbia, SC 29201

150th Anniversary Committee Chairpersons Steering Committee: Sis. Ojetta Flemming, Chair Deacon Herbert Barnette, Co-Chair Dr. Lewis P. Graham, Jr., Co–Chair Publicity Committee: Sis. Kathy Hope, Chair Activity Committee: Bro. John Dixon, Chair Souvenir Journal Committee: Sis. Sherry Moore, Chair Theme Committee: Sis. Patricia Abraham, Chair Correspondence Committee: Sis. Dolores Scott, Chair Outreach Committee: Deacon Robert McDuffie, Chair Decorations Committee: Sis. Rudine H. Boyd, Chair Hospitality/Gala Committee: Deacon Frankie Moore, Chair Speakers Committee: Deacon Isaac Washington, Chair Music /Concert Committee: Deacon Herbert Barnette, Chair Audio/Video Committee: Deacon Derrick Brown, Chair

SESQUICENTENNIAL EDITION OF THE ZION BAPTIST CHURCH INFORMER NOVEMBER 2014

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Journal Ad Form

Zion Baptist Church 150 Years: Celebrating the Joy of God’s Blessings

801 Washington Street, Columbia, SC 29201 Tele: (803)779-2809

Name (Company, Church or Individual): _____________________________________________ Contact Person: _____________________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________ City: _________________________________________________________________________ Telephone Number(s): _____________________________ Ad Amounts: ____ $300 Full-Page ____ $200 Half-Page ____ $125 Fourth Page ____ $50 Business Card ____ $25 Patron

Ad Inscription: _______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

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Please make Checks Payable To: Zion Baptist Church

Submit Form w/Payment To: Zion Baptist Church

801 Washington Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Date Due: Monday, March 16, 2015