Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church

Dr. Samuel W. McCree, Jr., Founding Pastor

From Humble Beginnings . . .

It was on April 18, 1982 that Almighty God ordained the birth of the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church at the home of Deacon and Sister Ralph Jones of 15 Ellicot St. in Rochester New York. The meeting began at approximately 8:30 p.m. with the following members present as founders:

Reverend Samuel McCree Jr., Sister Bernerdene Jones, Reverend Charlie Caldwell, Sister Barbara Broadhurst, Reverend Mary Britt, Deacon Robert Calhoun, Deacon Ralph Jones, Sister Maelo Washby.  Also present were Brothers Wesley Harris and Donald Evans.

The meeting was opened with a song led by Sister Maelo Washby and Scripture by Sister Barbara Broadhurst. Prayers were offered by Sister Jones and Deacon Calhoun put forth a motion that Sister Broadhurst serve as acting secretary. It was then moved and seconded by Deacon Calhoun and Sister Washby respectively, that Reverend Samuel McCree be elected moderator until a Pastor could be called.

The Church was opened at 250 Bronson Avenue. Reverend McCree and Sister Jones found the building and Reverend Caldwell made contact with the landlord to secure the Church. Reverend McCree then placed a security deposit on the church building by using his mortgage money which was $300.00. At the Ellicott Street meeting, $385.35 was raised and offered to Reverend McCree to replace his mortgage money. Reverend McCree then donated $183.35 back to the church to help get it started.

It was then unanimously decided that the name of the church would be the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church. The name was suggested by Reverend Caldwell and Reverend McCree. Our first worship service was scheduled for May 2, 1982. But it was decided by the saints that they could not wait that long. Instead, the first worship service was held the very next Sunday, April 25, 1982. Twenty-six (26) people joined the church during very first morning worship service at the new service.

At the opening service, the Church did not have enough chairs to seat everyone, so each person brought his/her own chair until the Lord later blessed us to purchase enough chairs to seat 100 people.

From this humble beginning, the Lord has blessed us to receive into his vineyard approximately 4,000 members. The church, through the Missionary Society, has fed and clothed many less fortunate families.

We have embraced the motto: " Small Enough to Serve You and Large Enough to Love You, " It is our hope that we can serve the Lord through faith by seeking first the Kingdom and His righteouness with blessed assurance that all other things of life will be added unto us.

AMEN