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New Zion Baptist Church of Spartanburg, SC,

Our Mission

Our mission is to minister to the needs of the congregation and community by fellowshipping with one another in brotherly love. We are a “Christ Centered Church Reaching the World.” New Zion Baptist Church is about winning souls, making Christian disciples, and changing lives.

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Our Vision

As we worship Christ, we aim to please Him in all we do. Our goal is to reach the lost, encouraging them build a closer relationship with Christ for the edification of God’s kingdom. As the need of the people are met, we will strive to keep up with the technology and the needs of the 21st century generation. Christ is the center of all we do!

Church History

History the New Zion Baptist Church

Established in 1893, The New Zion Baptist Church is rich in history and is a symbol of abundant faith in God, Today, the church continues to provide worship services and fellowship to the people of its community.

According to oral history from the late Sister Isabel Peake Brown and the late Deacon John Clowney, the church was first established in 1893 as a Brush Arbor. This Brush Arbor was located near Sister Hattie Bruce’s house. Some of the founders were Buck Smith (Daddy of New Zion), Evaline Peake, Betty McJunkins, Dicey Arnold, Liza Walker, Uncle Tom Walker, and Hattie Bruce. The first Pastor was Rev. Dogan, who was Sister Hattie Bruce’s uncle. The earlier Deacons were Miles Peake, Bob McJunkins, Arthur Bruce, Barum Wilburn, and Buck Smith.

With faith in God and a vision to build, these early pioneers accepted the challenge to move from the Brush Arbor to a wooden structure on Webber Road, which consisted of one and one-quarter acres. Mr. John Webber gave them the pine logs to build the first church. These pine logs were pulled by horses to the site where the church was to be built. The land was also donated by the Webbers. The wooden structure consisted of wooden windows, hand-made pews, and a heater that burned wood. In order to keep warm, the members gathered kindling from the nearby woods.

Some of the earlier pastors were, Rev. Aaron McKissick, and Rev. John McKissick. Rev. John McKissick was from Kelton, South Carolina. He traveled to Spartanburg and started the first “Do, Re, Me” singing class. With the increase in membership, there was a need to build a second structure. This was done under the leadership of Rev. Lipscomb, who was from Thickety in Cherokee County, SC.

Rev. Lipscomb was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Wilburn, who lived in Spartanburg. In 1916, he performed the wedding ceremony of Isabel and William Brown. Other Pastors who came were Rev. Dillard, Rev. Miller, and Rev. Fletcher Wright. Rev. Wright was a large man who hollered a lot, and when the congregation would get happy, he would say, “Hold up a little while!”

Rev. Wright was succeeded by Rev. H.M. Smith from Atlanta, Georgia, who was young and could really preach the word. At that time, the pastor’s salary was 10 cents per member. In addition, the pastor was compensated in other ways such as with food or other items.

In the early 1900s, the baptism pool was made of rock and mortar. In order to fill the pool for baptism, water was hauled from Glendale, South Carolina. On one occasion, when they were ready to baptize new members, all the water had leaked out of the pool, and the baptism had to be done at a nearby creek. The church at this time had no running water and restrooms. Water had to be drawn from the well, and members used outhouses.

In early 1940, Rev. Stacy Gray was elected pastor of New Zion Baptist Church. Rev. Gray proved himself an excellent spiritual leader. There were many additions, improvements, and organizations started and completed under his leadership. We moved to a block structure, and the wooden structure was torn down, leaving the pool for baptism outside. Gas heaters were installed around the wall as well as running water and an indoor restroom. The “Dollar a Month Club,” was organized to pay expenses and maintenance of the church. The Deacons collected this money when members did not attend church. Deacons at this time were: Chairman, Joe Clowney, John Durrah, Parker Rogers, James Leake, and John Clowney.

Rev. Gray served faithfully as the Pastor for well over 33 years. He developed a spirit filled fellowship amongst the members. The following deacons were ordained: Walter Tinsley, Sr., Alvin Dawkins, Jimmy Lee Maybin, Elihu Watson, Willie Jackson, James Dawkins, Robert Hardy, and William McCraken, Sr. Later, Rev. Gray ordained younger deacons, Bennie J. Wilburn, Willie Wheeler, Rufus Ray, and Robert Long, Sr. Deacon Alvin Dawkins was chairman at this time. Following Deacon Dawkins death, Walter Tinsley, Sr. became Chairman, and was followed by Deacon Bennie Wilburn.

In the early 1960s, the Women’s Missionary Auxiliary was organized with Sister Tecora Wilburn elected as president. The organization established the first NZBC Building Fund. Funds from the first Women’s Day Program were used to build a restroom for women.

Mr. Dick Floyd, a local businessman, became interested in the property where New Zion stood on Webber Road. Subsequently, Mr. Floyd and the Deacon Board reached an agreement to swap properties. With the help of the Lord, and many great men and women strongly pulling together, New Zion’s present structure was built in 1970. In 1973, the educational wing was added. This wing consisted of Sunday School Classrooms, a Choir Fellowship Hall, a Pastor’s study, a Deacon’s Room, and a kitchen.

The Angel of Death came into our church and carried Pastor Rev. Gray to Heaven. The church truly loved and missed Rev. Gray. After the death of Rev. Gray, Rev. F.D.R. Williams, Rev. Leroy Snoddy, and Rev. John Wilson served as Pastors of New Zion Baptist Church. Rev. Snoddy ordained Deacons Amos Boyd, John L. Littlejohn, Thad Tinsley, and Walter Tinsley, Jr.

In 1982, Rev. W.L. Oglesby came to New Zion Baptist Church as a supply pastor. Rev. Oglesby was elected pastor of New Zion Baptist Church in 1983. Rev. Oglesby served as pastor for 19 years. Under his administration many renovations were made. The carpet was redone, padded pews and choir seats were added, and new hymn books and bibles were purchased. Rev. Oglesby ordained three members of New Zion Baptist Church as Deacons. These Deacons are Paul Tinsley, Parker Woodruff, and Jessie Williams. In 1996, the Sister Minnie Jeter and Sister Louise Geter established the New Zion Baptist Church Scholarship Fund for our Christian College students. In 1996, the scholarship was renamed The Bennie J. Wilburn Scholarship in honor of the late Deacon Bennie James Wilburn. Celebrating twenty years (September 2016) of providing scholarships to young Christian College members of the New Zion Baptist Church, well over seventy - five thousand dollars has been given to our Bennie James Wilburn College Recipients.

In 2002, Rev. David Sullivan, was elected pastor of New Zion Baptist Church and served until December, 2013. The New Zion Baptist Church is a member of the Tyger River Baptist Association of Churches, where Pastor Sullivan and the members took an active part in the Association’s activities. Under Pastor Sullivan’s leadership, the church was painted inside and out, a tape ministry- upgraded audio system was added, and many renovations were made including updated flooring, a new mural for the baptism pool, new light fixtures, training classes established for new members, new renovations for the men’s bathroom, and the church purchased 10.96 acres of land and a house.

In 2013, Rev. Rickie L. Gray was named as the Associate Pastor of New Zion Baptist Church. Under Rev. Gray’s leadership, the church was instrumental in doing a comprehensive revision of its By-laws and regulations.

In September 2015, our current Pastor, the very spirited, Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Massey, Jr., from Roebuck, SC, was installed as Pastor. Under Dr. Massey’s leadership, our church continues to thrive and grow. “We are a Christ Centered Church Reaching the World!”

Since that humble beginning in 1893, the New Zion Baptist Church has been blessed to have several God-driven Ministers serve the Lord. In addition to its long history of providing worship and service for its members as well as the community, the New Zion Baptist Church continues to uphold the values and traditions of its founders. Those who have walked before us have left a rich religious heritage which is our duty to share and preserve for future generations. “To God Be the Glory!”