A 19th-century founding on the east side of Cleveland
Mt. Zion Congregational Church stands on Magnolia Drive in Cleveland as one of the city's oldest Black congregations, tracing its roots to a small group that left Shiloh Baptist Church in 1864 to begin a new ministry. Five people gathered on June 8, 1864 in the home of Edward Woodliffe to discuss forming a new church. After weeks of prayer and study, nineteen men and women chose the Congregational order, and Mt. Zion was formally organized that September at Plymouth Congregational Church.
The congregation's first pastor, the Rev. J. H. Muse, led Mt. Zion into its first building on East 9th Street. Later homes on East 31st Street and, after a 1923 fire, a former temple on East 55th Street followed. Each move carried its own hardships: a burdensome debt, internal dissension, the loss of a pastor in the early years of the Depression, and a dwindling treasury. Through it all, the congregation held on.
The Magnolia Drive sanctuary
In 1950 the Cedar Avenue property was sold, and Mt. Zion searched for a new home. After the purchase of a site at 10723 Magnolia Drive, the property was bombed in 1954 by individuals motivated by the racial prejudice of the era, an attack that only deepened the congregation's resolve. Ground was broken in September 1955, and the sanctuary and social hall were dedicated on September 30, 1956. The mortgage was burned ahead of schedule through sacrificial giving, and an adjoining property was later added to house the Heritage Room, the Katharine P. Williamson Chapel, ceramic classrooms, and offices for partner ministries.
The 1988 installation of the Hemry Pipe Organ and the addition of air conditioning to the sanctuary and the Rozel F. Threat Social Hall are among the building investments recorded over the decades. Today the Magnolia Drive campus remains the congregation's home.
Sunday worship and the wider table
Sunday Morning Worship is held at 11 a.m. and is broadcast on Facebook Live and YouTube, so members who cannot attend in person can follow along. Communion is observed on the first Sunday of each month. The congregation's identity is summed up in its motto, "A Church for the Whole Family of God," and the welcome statement extends that warmth to anyone, "no matter who you are or where you are on your faith journey."
A nursery is available during worship. The worship ministries that support the service include the A/V and Media Ministry, the Mt. Zion Voices of Praise choir, and the Usher Board. A monthly newsletter called The Spire carries news, announcements, and devotional pieces to members.
Seven-fold vision
Mt. Zion organizes its life around seven commitments, called the Seven-Fold Vision. The congregation seeks to be Spirit Led, letting the Holy Spirit direct its actions; Soul Winning, sharing the message of salvation as the church's first priority; Worshipful, putting God first in affection and devotion; Biblically Intelligent, grounded in the truth of Scripture; Faithfully Generous, practicing tithing as a means of receiving God's promised blessing; Servant Minded, following Jesus who came "to be a servant not to be served"; and Justice Seeking, working to correct injustice wherever it is found.
Bible study across generations
Spiritual formation at Mt. Zion is multi-generational. The Pastor's Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. via Zoom. Sisters in the Spirit, a women's Bible study focused on communing with God through worship, prayer, study, and rest, gathers on the first Friday of each month at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom from September through June. Sunday Church School offers classes for all ages.
Feeding programs and community care
Two regular feeding programs keep the kitchen at Magnolia Drive busy. The Community Meal is served on the last Saturday of each month at noon, and Bountiful Harvest takes place on the first Thursday of the month from June through October. Together with the Annual Thanksgiving Project, these programs put Matthew 25:35 into practice: "For I was hungry and you gave me food."
Caring ministries extend further. The Ministry of Pastoral Care visits and supports members, while the GriefShare/Parakaleo Bereavement Ministry walks with those who are mourning. Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous meets via Zoom. Hospitality greets newcomers and members at church events, and a van driver helps bring worshipers to and from services.
Christian Business League and economic empowerment
The Christian Business League (CBL) is a faith-based effort at community-wide economic development and empowerment, serving largely small businesses with annual revenues under one million dollars. Its guiding principles call for decisions rooted in Christian values, the support of African American-owned businesses, mentoring of entrepreneurs, and the financial stability of the African American church. Activities include quarterly Faith and Finance Breakfasts, networking and mentoring, a Jobs Partnership Ministry, a Financial Empowerment Program, an annual Business Trailblazer Tribute, and several named scholarships.
Job Opportunities Breakthrough Services (JOBS) is another outreach arm, and a Cultural Arts Ministry rounds out the mission work. Together with the Men's, Women's, and Couples groups (Covenant Couples, Men in the Word, and the Mike Shinn Memorial Golf Outing), these ministries anchor the life of the church beyond Sunday morning.
A long history, a continuing welcome
In 1957 Mt. Zion joined the United Church of Christ following the merger of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches. Since then the congregation has been active in the Western Reserve Association, the Ohio Conference, and the General Synod of the UCC. Members came together to rebuild after the Depression, to weather the bombing of their property in 1954, and to call the first female pastor in the church's history, the Rev. Dr. Bertrice Y. Wood, in 1996. Today, with the Rev. Paul Hobson Sadler, Sr. serving as pastor and a wide circle of ministries in motion, Mt. Zion Congregational Church continues to open its doors on Magnolia Drive to neighbors across Cleveland.