ABOUT MOUNT ZION
Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church is welcoming community of Christians based in St. Louis, Missouri. For more than 110 years, we've worked to share the word of Jesus Christ and improve the lives of those in our community.
We are led by Pastor Ken Patterson, Ph.D., and a devoted team of church leaders whose goal is to help members strengthen their relationship with God and each other.
We believe that the Bible is God’s guiding word that encompasses His perfect will for our lives. Further, we believe that Jesus is God’s son and, through His sacrifice, paid the price for all of mankind’s sin. When Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the grave, He created the path for us to reconnect with God.
Our purpose is to help others to know that Jesus is for everyone, and we do that by worshipping with one another, teaching God’s word, and through service to those beyond our doors and in the St. Louis community. Whether you've been attending church for years or haven't stepped into a sanctuary in decades, we invite you to join us — in person and online — as we pray, worship, study, and come together in fellowship.
SERVICE TIMES AND LOCATIONS
Worship service at the Mount takes place at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday at 3801 McKelvey Road, suite 201 and 202. We have plenty of off-street parking available; simply pull into the lot and head toward the back of the complex. Members of our Care Team will greet you and direct you to the worship space.
Sunday School is held before service at 8:30 a.m. and is led by Associate Pastor Harold Whitaker.
Unable to make it in-person? You can find a livestream of our service on our website, our Facebook page and on YouTube. We also host morning prayer every day at 7:30 a.m. on Facebook. You're invited to drop in, post a comment and let us know who you are!
BRIEF HISTORY OF MOUNT ZION MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
In 1910, in the neighborhood, which was known as South Clayton, now Richmond Heights, a few Christians started meeting from house to house and soon decided that they wanted to become a regular New Testament Church. In 1912, they called the Rev. Rhodes the Moderator of the Berean District Baptist Association, asking him to call a council for the purpose of organizing the following Christians into a regular church: Rev. F. B. Wallington, Sister Delia Hill, Sister and Brother John Hill, Sister and Brother Null, Brother A. B. Dorsey, and Brother Hill.
Rev. W. L. Rhodes called the council, and these former members became the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. The Rev. F. B. Wallington was called to pastor the newly organized church, which was located on Dale Ave. (Richmond Heights), South Clayton, and remained at this location until 1926, when they moved to 1628 South Hanley Road, where the church remained until October 26, 1958.
On this day, they moved to a new and more commodious building under the leadership of Rev. James E. Fiddmont. The Church had experienced steady growth, was secure and well-grounded in its community, and was comfortable with its progress toward the accomplishments of its goals and mission. Everything appeared to be going well when illness and the subsequent passing of Pastor Fiddmont in 1973 caused a distinct pause in their forward movement.
In 1974, Rev. Oliver K. Patterson, Sr., was elected to be the 10th Pastor. Pastor Patterson brought new energy to this, his first pastoral assignment. Coming from the Greater Mount Carmel Church, where he was ordained by Rev. Earl E. Nance, Sr. in 1973, Pastor Patterson eagerly approached his new assignment. When Pastor Patterson arrived, the total membership was 212. Almost immediately, he recognized the need for expanding the church’s membership as well as for providing the necessary space to accommodate the increase. Since the 1958 occupancy of the 1500 S. Hanley Rd. building, there had been a distinct population shift from City to County, which produced a stream of new members, creating a climate of growth. Mt. Zion expanded three times under the leadership of Pastor O.K. Patterson, Sr.
In 2020, it was becoming increasingly evident that Pastor Patterson, Sr. was experiencing health challenges, and that a successor would need to be chosen. The church agreed to name a Co-Pastor who would function under the authority of Pastor Patterson, Sr., and would assume full pastoral responsibility upon the Pastor’s retirement. In God’s wise providence, Dr. Oliver K. Patterson, Jr., the Pastor’s elder son, was named Co-Pastor of Mt. Zion Church. Rev. Patterson, Jr., already highly regarded by the Mt. Zion family, and affectionately known by most as “Pastor Ken,” became the Pastor and 11th Spiritual Leader of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church on January 1, 2021.
When Pastor Ken arrived, we had been at the McKelvey Road location for nearly seven years. Having continuously grown and thrived under Pastor Ken’s dynamic, Spirit-filled leadership, members look forward to a time when we will once again be granted a more permanent location, in accordance with God’s will, gracious provision, and divine timing. And yet, as we wait on the Lord, the fear, anxiety, and uncertainty that once overwhelmed us have been supplanted by a prevailing sense of peace and quiet trust. Pastor Ken has put many programs in place and has completed several projects. Mt. Zion continues to be ON THE MOVE.
