Churches: New Zion Baptist Church, Franklin Parish, LA Source: History of New Zion Baptist Church Written by: Cecile Nelson Copy donated by New Zion Baptist Church Submitted by DeWanna Lindo Feb. 2005 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** New Zion Baptist Church New Zion Baptist Church is located about five miles southwest of Winnsboro and about half a mile from Little Break bridge. In 1815 people of the community desided they needed a place to worship. they cleared a spot on the left side of the road and cleared a spot where they used planks to build seats. F.B. Hitt remembered how they built the seats and George Cupples remembered cutting the first brush in the clearing. Quoted from the July, 1918 records: "During a few days meeting at Little Brake, conducted by J.B. Perry of Winnsboro, Louisiana in which God manifested His spirit in great powerit seemed to be the will of our Master to organize a church at this place. Bro. Perry appointed brethern J.J. Wheelus, Jordon, Wiggins, G.L. Cupples and George Jemerson as a committee to consider a report advisability to organize a church. The committee was favorably impressed with the situation and recommended that we organize a church. The matter of organizing a church was now brought before the people, also a council was invited from the nearby churches. The following brethern were present, Pastor Couch from Mt. Bayou, Pastor Adams from Shady Grove, Pastor Keys from Midway and a number of both brethern and sisters from Oak Grove. After a season of prayer and some discussion it was unanimously desided ot organize a church. Bro.J.B. Perry was elected moderator and Bro. Jim Wiggins, church clerk. The church adopted a covenant and abstracts of faith as given in Penelton's Church Manual. A location committee was appointed Keys and M.E. Miller. It is unanimously adopted that this church shall be called the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Winnsboro, Louisiana, Franklin Parish, Deer Creek Association. It is unanimously adopted that we proceed at once on the building movement, hence the committee named above is continued as a building committee to proceed to collect funds and material and erect a house of worship as early as practical. May the blessing of God be upon this plant of our Father’s kingdom.” J.B. Perry, Moderator J.J. Wheelus, Church Clerk The church was not built until the spring of 1919. Rev. G.H. Couch was called as pastor and G.W. Albritton was elected clerk.By the end of summe New Zion Church was well established. Timber was cut from the land donated by J.J. Albritton and E.M. King and exchanged for lumber. With this and $180.00 dollars borrowed from M.P. Keys they built the church and some seats. By Nov. 1, 1919 the building was debt free. By Feb. 20, 1920 the note which was a total cost of $60.00. Other pastors of New Zion church: 1920: Rev. R.M. Doughty 1921 Rev. J.H. Keys 1922: Bro. Keys pastured church Rev. J.Z. Sikes Late 20’s- early 30’s: Rev. R.E. Weeks Early 30’s: - 1933: Rev. J.W. Franklin 1933- Rev. P.M. Gaddis 1937- Rev. H.R. Dove Rev. T.G. Polk 1944: Rev. H.R. Dove 1945: Rev. R.F. Impson 1947: Rev. C.T. Polk 1948: Rev. H.R. Dove 1949 - 1950: Rev. Roy Gordon 1951- 1954- Rev. T.W. Parker 1954- Rev. Ira Aulds 1955- Rev. Walter Braswell 1957- Rev. Burley W. Bridges 1958- Rev. T.T. Wilson 1959- Rev. Lloyd Graham 1960- Rev. Ben F. Jordan, Jr. 1962- Rev. E.T. Spence