Monthly Meetings

Missionaries:

every 2nd Sunday after service.

Trustees:

every 3rd Sunday after service.

Lay Organization:

every 3rd Sunday

immediately after service.

Steward Board:

every 2nd Monday @ 7:00pm.

Foundation Class:

every 2nd & 4th Monday @ 6:00pm.

Praise Dancers:

every 2nd & 3rd Tuesday @ 6:30pm.

Official Board:

every 4th Tuesday @ 7:00pm.

Prayer & Bible Study:

every Wednesday @ 7:30pm.

Mount Zion, A.M.E. Church was organized in 1869. Its inception grew out of the need of the negro servants of Mr. Tom Talbot, to have a worship place of their own.

Mr. Abram Beckett, a colored servant of Mr. Talbot,on the Talbot plantation, conducted the first services. Mr. Becket had a desire to serve God and his people. He prevailed upon the Talbots to assist in building the first church, located on Sewells Point Road (now West Little Creek Road) and Restmere Avenue in Norfolk, Virginia.

The congregation worshiped at the site until the property was sold to Sussex Developers to make way for a housing project. The congregation, at that time under the pastorate of Rev. J.J. Mainor, moved to its present location at 113 Seekel Street. The corner stone was laid in 1924.

The earliest writings found on New Mt Zion are in a book entitled African Methodism in Virginia and the minutes of the twenty-fourth Annual Conference, held in 1890, at Lynn Street A.M.E. Church in Danville, Virginia, Rev. Thomas W.D. Ward was the presiding Bishop and Rev. R.T. Timberlake was the Circuit Pastor.

Reflecting on the histroy of the church we recognize some of the pastors that served this congregation.

Rev. R.T. Timberlake served four years; Rev. William Lee, April 8, 1896, at the 30th session of the Virginia Annual Conference; Rev. E.H. Davis was appointed pastor of the Central Norfolk Circuit, as it was known at that time. Following Rev. Davis was Rev. J.H. Thomas, Rev. A.J. Nottingham; Rev. A.R. Montague; Rev. N.T. Turner, pastored in 1903; Rev. S.S. Morris; and Rev. A. Augustus in 1909.

The next known records were the appointment of Rev. David Wilson, June 11, 1935. The Norfolk A.M.E. Preachers meeting was held at New Mt Zion.

Other ministers serving the congregation were Rev. W.J. Beckett, Rev. J.J. Mainor, Rev. William Hinsley, Rev. I.J. Cook, Rev. J.E. Lee, Rev. H.L. James, 1942-47. It was during the pastorage of Rev. James that the church was paid out of debt. Rev John H. Cherry, 1948-57; Rev. Howard L. Camper, 1957-62; Rev. C.A. Hayman. All of these great ministers made significant contributions to the work at New Mt Zion.

At the Annual Conference of 1965 the Church was left without an appointed pastor until the second Sunday in June. This was the beginning of a new chapter in the ever growing history of the church. Minister Willam M. Baxter was appointed by the late Rev. L.C. Mitchell, Presiding Elder of the Norfolk District, to the pastoral charge. During his administration the church did grow; spiritually, numerically, and financially. The church was renovated, furnishings refurbished, central air was installed, additional land was purchased.

Rev. Michael L. Simmons, succeeded Rev. Baxter for a period of six months. Although his stay was short, he contributed a great deal spiritually to the congregation. He was a true man of God.

We will never forget our first woman minister. Rev. Oledia F. Bell; who is now Major Bell, United States Air Force Chaplains Corps.

Rev. Bell a small woman, but big in love and character; a true champion of the people. During her administration Sunday morning worship grew mightily. She initiated a regular exercise program on Saturday morning for all age groups; and we hosted the first all night shut in for teenagers in the Norfolk District. It was under her leadership, that the ground was broken for the Annex. The ground breaking ceremony was presided over by the late Rev. J.C.Fauntleroy, Presiding Elder, Norfolk District.

In October 1988 Bishop H.H. Brookins appointed Rev. James Garfield Smith as our minister. Under his leadership, the church congregation expanded in number and spirit. Wednesday night prayer meetings boasted large attendance and continues to grow. Sunday morning worship was high and spirit filled. The church grew to new spiritual heights. We adopted the motto, "A Church With A Vision", This vision lead to the renovation and annexation of the church.

Adding to the spiritual growth, we have Rev. Kenneth Ruff, and Minister Vergie McCall, who dedicate their life to serving Christ in the Ministry of this church. We pray God's rich blessings for them as they continue in the service of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

At the Virginia Annual Conference in May 1996, Bishop Vinton R. Anderson appointed Rev. Joel Tomlin as our new pastor. Rev. Tomlin and his family are a blessing to New Mt Zion, A.M.E. Church, Norfolk. Under his leadership, souls have been saved and new members have added to our church family. We have three new ministries since he came to us; praise dance, step team and childrens' church. We have also installed new pews and completed the upstairs renovations. With Rev. Tomlin and his family we are going into the 21st Century believing that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. To God Be The Glory...........................................................