Mount Zion Baptist Church of Holmesburg has stood at 8101 Erdrick Street in the greater northeast section of Philadelphia for more than a century. The congregation traces its beginnings to a group of men playing cards in a stone quarry on Rowland Avenue, and from those humble origins it grew into one of the anchor Baptist churches of the Holmesburg community. Today the church is known for a steady schedule of worship, a robust Christian education program for every age, and a deep commitment to neighborhood outreach through prayer, food assistance, and missionary work.
Founding at the Granite Quarry
The Mount Zion story begins in 1896, when an evangelist named Prophet Andrew Jones, a son of formerly enslaved parents John and Nancy Jones, came upon a group of men playing cards in a granite quarry on Rowland Avenue, near where the church still sits. He preached to them on the spot and returned to the site day after day to pray. Eventually the men gave their lives to Christ, and the small group organized a Sunday School and mission.
A lay preacher named Rev. Burrell helped shape the early mission, and its members often worshipped at the local white Baptist church in Holmesburg. On November 7, 1897, the Negro Baptist Mission asked that church to form a council to formally constitute them as a Baptist church. The council met on December 1, 1897, led by Rev. Simon Peter Davis, the pastor of the Holmesburg white Baptist church. The council advised the mission to unite with the Second Baptist Church of Frankford, pastored by Rev. James Summer, who received the members graciously and after a few months sent them back to Holmesburg as an organized church. Mount Zion marks 1897 as its founding year.
A Long Line of Pastors
Mount Zion's history reads like a procession of faithful leaders, each leaving a mark on the congregation.
Rev. E. Theodore Lewis was called in 1929, and together with his successor, Rev. Joseph E. W. Dyches, brought financial health and physical improvements to the property. In February 1940, the church unanimously called Rev. A. W. Nix, a former pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Pittsburgh. He was a great evangelist and church builder, and many new members joined the church and its Junior Church during his tenure. He died on January 10, 1949, after two years of illness.
Rev. John Silvanus Wilson was called in December 1949. A gifted orator and advocate for young people, he instituted an annual Youth Week that included debates, drama, and a youth prayer service. Rev. Charles Marks followed in March 1959. He launched a scouting program and the Baptist Youth Fellowship (BYF), and pushed through construction of a new educational building, a long-held dream of the congregation.
Rev. Lamb's tenure saw the construction of the present sanctuary, which the congregation moved into on October 1, 1972. He was described by the church as a Spiritual Giant who strengthened Christian education for adults, young adults, and children, and improved training for Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teachers. Rev. R. Johnson Waller was called on April 13, 1980. A kind and compassionate leader, he emphasized community and education. He envisioned a chapel for Mount Zion; after his death on October 18, 1993, the Rev. R. Johnson Waller Memorial Chapel was completed and dedicated in his memory.
Rev. Loreno R. Flemmings was called on November 5, 1995. Under his leadership the church established a Youth and Family Program, a Men's Fellowship Group, a Music Committee, and a New Membership Committee. After his departure in 2000, Rev. Arthur E. Boston, Chairman of the Deacons and a son of Mount Zion, served as Spiritual Leader until Rev. Scott C. Dorsey was called in 2004. After Pastor Dorsey's tenure, Rev. Darren Umble stepped in as Interim Pastor in September 2018. On December 2020 the church voted to receive his name as Pastor-Elect, and on September 25, 2021, Reverend Darren Umble was installed as the new pastor of the church.
Sunday at Mount Zion
A typical Sunday at Mount Zion begins with Church School at 8:45 a.m., where adults gather in the sanctuary for Bible study. Devotions follow at 9:40 a.m., leading into the main Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. Children's Church School for ages 5 through 16 meets during the worship hour on the second, third, and fourth Sundays of each month.
The Worship ministry is described with the phrase "Come to the Table," drawn from Matthew 11:28-30 and Revelation 3:20-21. Each service is livestreamed on Facebook for those who prefer to join virtually. Tithes are received in person during worship, and secure online giving is also offered.
What the Church Believes
Mount Zion's doctrinal statement centers on the Bible as the inspired, supreme, and final authority in faith and life. The church confesses one God eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Members affirm that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, and is the only sufficient mediator between God and humanity. The Holy Spirit's ministry is to reveal Christ in regeneration and sanctification.
The church teaches that human beings were created in God's image, fell into sin, and thereby incurred spiritual death, and that salvation comes only through personal faith in the vicarious death and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, his ascension into Heaven, and his personal and visible future return. Mount Zion identifies itself as living in the Pre-Millennial age. Baptism is understood as the immersion of the believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the Lord's Supper is observed as a remembrance of Christ's death until he comes. A New Testament church, in Mount Zion's view, is a body of believers so baptized and gathered for worship and service.
Teaching Disciples at Every Age
The Christian Board of Education (CBE) oversees all of the church's teaching ministries. Its stated aim is that every disciple know Jesus Christ, find ultimate joy in him, and live out biblical principles in real life. The CBE oversees youth classes, monthly outreach events, and special programs throughout the year.
For adults, the Church School meets in the sanctuary from 8:45 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. each Sunday. Ongoing classes meet downstairs and include a Discipleship Bible Study, a Spiritual Gifts class, a New Disciples class, and a New Disciples class for children and the intellectually challenged. A weekly Bible study is held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., both in person in the chapel and on Zoom. A New Disciples Ministry meets on the third Friday of each month at 7:00 p.m. to walk alongside new believers in their walk of faith.
Children's Church School serves ages 5 to 16 during worship on the second, third, and fourth Sundays. First Friday Youth and Teen Night runs from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Zion Center and offers a regular gathering point for young people.
Youth Enrichment Services (Y.E.S.) focuses on the accomplishments of young scholars. The ministry recognizes academic achievement, coordinates a graduation celebration, offers tutoring, runs the Deacon Robert A. Jackson Jr. Summer Reading Festival, provides scholarships and educational assistance, and coordinates the annual Youth Day. Families can reach the ministry at YES@mountzionbaptist.org.
Music and the Choirs
Music is woven into the life of the congregation. The Senior Choir rehearses on the Tuesdays before the first and second Sundays at 7:00 p.m. Its purpose is to exalt the name of Jesus through worship and praise in song. The Celestial Choir rehearses two Saturdays before the fourth Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and seeks to deliver the Gospel of Jesus Christ through praise and song. A Media Ministry livestreams Sunday services and special events through Facebook and the church's online presence, meeting on the third Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m.
Serving the Holmesburg Community
Outreach has been part of Mount Zion's identity since its earliest days. The Helping Hand Missionary Society meets on the fourth Monday at 7:30 p.m., with a twofold calling: to nurture members inwardly and to reach outward to help the needy and the less fortunate, seeking justice and liberty in the name of Jesus Christ. The society has run eyeglass collection drives to recycle the gift of sight.
C.O.P.E.L., which stands for Christian Older People Enjoying Life, provides spiritual and social activities for the senior fellowship through workshops, visits to the sick and shut-ins, and outings. It meets virtually on the first Thursday of each month at 11:00 a.m., except in January, July, and August.
A Nurses Ministry meets every other fourth Thursday at 7:00 p.m. to assist the stricken, provide first aid, and offer general health advice. A Transportation Ministry provides rides to Sunday school, worship, and church-supported functions, picking up passengers from their homes and returning them afterward. The Men's Ministry meets on the fourth Saturday at 10:00 a.m. to unite the men of Mount Zion in Christian fellowship, and a Men's Prayer Line convenes by phone every Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. The Women's Ministry creates fellowship opportunities on the second Saturday of each month (except July and August) for the women of the church to grow spiritually, and the Women's Prayer Fellowship gathers on the second Friday of each month.
A Hospitality Ministry serves the congregation and guests with love, kindness, and compassion, and a Pastoral Aide Ministry looks after the comfort and well-being of the pastor and his family.
Leadership and Governance
Reverend Darren Umble serves as Pastor. Before being installed on September 25, 2021, he served as Interim Pastor from September 2018 and as an associate minister for six years under Pastor Scott C. Dorsey. Before that he was a deacon at Mount Zion for nineteen years, and he previously led the Evangelism Ministry in prayer walks, support of the neighborhood food pantry, and outreach throughout the community. Rev. Brent White serves as Associate Minister.
Two boards share governance. The Board of Deacons is chaired by Winston Boston with Dunniston Woods as Vice Chair. The Board of Trustees is chaired by H. Walter Early with Karen Nichols as Vice Chair. Deaconess ministers assist the deacons with families and children preparing for baptism.
A Word from the Pastor
In a letter to the Mount Zion family and friends, Reverend Umble wrote, "The LORD is providing us with a time to reflect on our history, our ministry, our community, our leadership, our successes, and failures." Quoting Ecclesiastes 3:1, he acknowledged both the honor and the challenge of serving at a time of change. Pointing to Hebrews 13:8, he reminded the church that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that He who began a good work in the congregation will bring it to completion on the day of Jesus Christ.
Getting Connected
Mount Zion Baptist Church of Holmesburg meets at 8101 Erdrick Street, Philadelphia, PA 19136, and can be reached by phone at 215-624-8869. Visitors will find Church School in the sanctuary at 8:45 a.m., Devotions at 9:40 a.m., and Worship at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday, with Children's Church School for ages 5 to 16 during worship on the second, third, and fourth Sundays. Anyone wishing to learn more about a ministry may email the church secretary, or reach the Deacons, Trustees, or Y.E.S. ministry directly using the addresses listed on the church's contact page.