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-Sunday:Sunday School@ 10:00am~Worship Service@ 11:00am

-Tuesday:Chancel Choir 6:00pm

-Wednesday:Zion's Promise Choir 5:30pm~Bible Study@ 6:00pm~Inspirational Choir@ 7:30

 

 

The following historical account of Mt. Pleasant A.M. E. Zion Church-Rockford, Tennessee- is at best inadequate in as much as during the early part of the church's inception t here was not written records due to fire and other conditions which lended to the loss of church's files. This short history has been prepared from bits and pieces of surviving records, a previous written history, and the memories of members (many of whom are now deceased).

Mt. Pleasant A.M.E. Zion Church had its beginning in the Rockford Community early in the 1880's; however, it was better known, at the particular time, as the Zion Methodist Church at Rockford. A few members, who are now deceased furnished some information about a Methodist Church that existed earlier, and was said to have been supplied with white ministers. This "forerunner" church was probably a small mission in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. This was deduced because the aforementioned denomination had split with the Methodist Episcopal Church over the issue of slavery before the Civil War, and continued to thrive during the first quarter or more of the Twentieth Century.
 
No one knows exactly how long the church was in existence before it became known as the Zion Methodist Church of Rockford, nor who were it pastors: however, memories regurgitate a Reverend Jim Rogers who pastored the church before the turn of the 20th century. We do know that the church held its regular worship services in a log building situated on a site somewhere on or near which later became the home of Mrs. Henrietta Morris. The congregation continued to worship at this place until it was destroyed by fire.
Specifically who these early God fearing and God loving Christians were, edges on obscurity. Nonetheless, their christian zeal was evident in a group of trustees who spearheaded the purchase of the church's present property from Will and Nellie Russell on September 5, 1887, for $39.00. At this time the trustees were: Brother Richard Porter, Brother Joseph Wallace, Brother Oliver (Carr) McKeen. (Brother Porter and Brother Wallace have descendants who are member of the church today).
The congregation, still in need of a place of worship and financially unable to erect one, allowed Blount County Quarterly Court to build an elementary school on their property with the stipulation that the church have access to the facilities for conducting worship services. Here, the congregation continued to worship until Reverend W. H. Lindsey (who also has descendents among us today) was sent to pastor. Sometimes in May of 1912, the present physical plant, the main auditorium at least, was in use by the congregation. The Board consisted of one of the original trustees, Brother Richard Porter, and in place of those deceased members were: Brother Green Porter, Brother John Shadden, Brother Henry McNutt, Bother Johnnie Carr. (All of these men also have descendants or relatives who are member of the church as present).

The Church's physical plant remained the same until Reverend C. H. Houston was sent to pastor in 1941. Reverend Houston's administration brought a desire for beautification of the present auditorium, and to it was added a pastor's study, choir loft and choir room, electric lights, the first equipped kitchen and dining hall, a new front entrance and carpeting. Untiring workers in this program were held by a trustee board consisting of Reverend P. M. Wright, Brother W. A. Wallace, Brother Shay Garner, Brother Walter Gillespie, Brother Clarence Sudderth, Brother W. H. Kennedy, and Brother Charles Badgett.

The following minister have given their service to the church as pastors: Reverend Jim Rogers, Reverend W. M. Parks, Reverend Mathis, Reverend West, Reverend O. C. Armstrong, Reverend Douglas, Reverend B. J. Alexander, Reverend J. R. Priestly, Reverend W. M Houston, Reverend J. H. Chandler, Reverend C. H. Houston (who served thrice). Reverend A. L. Bradford, REverend G. M. Warthen, Reverend Levi Griggs, Reverend G. W. Maize, Reverend Vernon McClure, Reverend A. Cobb, Reverend M. L. Walker, Reverend E. N. Collier, Reverend Gloria S. Moore (passed away while serving), and presently Presiding Elder Rev. Dr. Vincent M. Jones, Sr. and Richard Gadzeppo. Other ministers of whom we have no record or memory have served faithfully the local parishioners in the Zion Connection well upon the battlefield of christian discipline.

In 1959, Reverend G. W. Maize came to Mt. Pleasant A.M. E. Zion Church with new visions of things to come and a revitalized interest in the church's welfare. Under Reverend Maize's leadership, the church realized organizational and spiritual concepts never before attained.

During the 1960's and 1970's, the church underwent many and varied renovations while Reverend G. W. Maize, Reverend M. L. Walker, and Reverend E. N. Collier were its pastors. The following is a list of some of the renovation s ventures: enlarged sanctuary and dining hall; restroom facilities, new and larger narthex; brick veneering; wall to wall carpeting; new sanctuary furnishings; sidewalks; new paneling in the sanctuary and dining hall, etc. For all of these accomplishments, we give Him the praise from whom all blessings flow.

Trustees during the two decades were: Reverend P. M. Wright (deceased); Brother W. A. Wallace (deceased); Brother John Garner (deceased); Brother J. H. Lindsey (deceased); Sister Pearlie Lindsey (deceased); Brother W. L. Kennedy (deceased); Sister Stella Henry (deceased); Brother W. H. Scudder, Jr. (deceased); Brother L. E. Wallace; Brother A. T. Tyson; Sister Enza O'Neal.
Reverend Gloria S. Moore was sent to us October 1979, and with her came the gospel message delivered so very simple and clear until a congregation suffering from stagnation lifted up its head with renewed hope of greater things to come in service of the Almighty. She proved to be instrumental in a catalytic reaction of ideas, plans and hope for the future. She went home to be with God January 2003.
After the death of our Pastor, The Presiding Elder Reverend Vincent M. Jones, Sr. was sent as his duty to minister to sadden congregation. He brought to Mt. Pleasant A.M. E. Zion Church, the healing that was needed, and preached untiringly on the seed that falls of good ground and the power in Prayer and Faith. In April 2003 Presiding Elder Reverend Dr. Vincent M. Jones, Sr. was appointed to The Mt. Pleasant A.M. E. Zion Church along with the Reverend Richard Gadzeppo as Co Pastor.

To aid these many pastors in constructing permanently our present Mt. Pleasant, have been men and women of high caliber. These men and women, whose pace will not permit mentioning, stood tall and weathered very bleak, and very uncertain times during the church's history. They remained a firm nucleus of fortitude when others seemingly too weak to keep in, sat down by the way. For these devout Christian, who have crossed the bar,we give thanks to the Almighty. We revere them because surely they did give their all in service to the Almighty, to the local church and to the Zion Connection.

In conclusion, only a point in forgotten time can tell exactly when Mt. Pleasant became an A.M. E. Zion Church; however, evidence is within itself that we did become a part of the A.M. E. Zion Connection; Mt.Pleasant did become one of the churches in the Tennessee Conference on the Maryville District. Most of all, the church became a beacon of hope to the many who have pressed their way forward to open the doors in order to learn of a redeeming Savior's love.

Today we are happy to pen the fact that a christian is God's happiest creature; believers lift their songs to Him eternally for His mercies. Because of His opened heart to us, we realize in Him a wonderful partner who makes success our through only His help alone; therefore, to Him we lift this our prayer of gratitude:

Heavenly Father, we are eternally grateful for Thy divine love alone.
We turn our eyes upon a way which has been set ever before us as co-workers and laborers in Thy Son's vineyard.
May we be forever mindful of the rare privilege that Thou have purchased us with the price of Thy Son's blood.
We pray that we will at all times live up to our obligations to thee,
and while it is yet day, serve with consecrated zeal in the work of Thy Kingdom Building.
Amen.