Mt. Zion, Battle Creek, Burns Mortgage Note Early
By Mrs. Betty Tuggle, 4thEpiscopal District
On June 10, 2018, the members of Mt. Zion AME Church and the greater Battle Creek community celebrated the complete payment of a mortgage note on the church’s education building. Under the leadership of the Rev. Douglas Banks, the steadfast congregation paid off the note several years early, saving the church thousands of dollars.
A pivotal force in the Greater Battle Creek community, Mt. Zion AME Church began on February 7, 1840, and was known as “the African Methodist Episcopal Church,” meeting in the homes of various members. On July 18, 1843, the church was certified and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds for Calhoun County, Michigan.The site that the church now stands on was purchased in 1867 from the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The building and congregation were renamed Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Michigan Annual Conference of the AME Church was first organized at Mt. Zion on August 24, 1887, and Mt. Zion most recently hosted the annual conference in 2016.
In 1906, the church building was rebuilt and the cornerstone placed on the current site. On November 21, 1991, Mt. Zion was recognized by the Michigan Historical Commission and listed in the State Register of Historical Sites. On November 14, 2004, the church celebrated the completion of the addition to the church building as well as major renovations to the original structure. This was accomplished under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Amos T. Chester.
It was a testament to Mt. Zion’s presence in the community that various local congregations participated in the mortgage note burning service. Pastor Sheldon Williams of Community Missionary Baptist Church was the worship leader and Pastor William Wyne of the Second Missionary Baptist Church led the invocation. Choirs from all three churches as well as the acclaimed Sojourner Truth Choir participated in the service.
The afternoon message was delivered by the Rev. Tammy Harris, the pastor of St. Luke AME Chuch in Highland Park. Her text was Habakkuk 3:17-19 with the topic, “If God Brings it to You, He will Give You the Grace to Get Through It.” The Rev. Norman V. Osborne, the presiding elder of the South District of the Michigan Annual Conference represented the Fourth District Presiding Prelate John F. White and led those assembled in the formal Service of Mortgage Note Burning. To God be the glory for the great things He has truly done!
Mrs. Betty Tuggle serves as administrative assistant to Presiding Elder Norman V. Osborne and is the chair of the Connectional Nominating Committee of the Connectional Lay Organization as well as First Vice-President of the Fourth Episcopal District Lay Organization.
Editor’s Note: At the 2018 session of the Michigan Annual Conference, Rev. Banks was appointed to Vernon Chapel, Flint and Rev. Harris was appointed to St. Paul, Detroit.
