Our History
Through the years we have kept on toiling. The Zion Hill family has a rich heritage of spiritual growth. We were organized Feburary 1890 by the Rev. Isaac Pointer and the Rev. Walter Lewis with a membership of nine parishioners. The Pointer school, about five miles southwest of Brookshire was the site of the church. These same nine members with the help of friends built a small church building that same year. A few years later a plot of land was bought at the present site in Brookshire, Texas and the building was moved to this location.
The lumber for this church was hauled from Sealy, Texas on a ferry across the Brazos river. Some men actually hauled lumber on their backs to build the church. The original church was very small and consisted on one room. Through the grace of God and strong past leadership the church has grown and more land has been acquired in 1960, 1985, and again in 1990.
Early "Builders" included Isaac and Minerva Pointer, Doc and Amanda Taylor, Julius and Temple Pollard, the Julius Thompson family, the Steve Downey family, Priscilla Holliday, the Ruffin Davis family, the Leonard Rice family, the Dudley Hall family, the Milas Bostick family, the Charles Wells family, the Henry Cheney family, the Blackshear family, and the John Rogers family. Many ancestors of the old "builder" still remain with the church.
The lumber for this church was hauled from Sealy, Texas on a ferry across the Brazos river. Some men actually hauled lumber on their backs to build the church. The original church was very small and consisted on one room. Through the grace of God and strong past leadership the church has grown and more land has been acquired in 1960, 1985, and again in 1990.
Early "Builders" included Isaac and Minerva Pointer, Doc and Amanda Taylor, Julius and Temple Pollard, the Julius Thompson family, the Steve Downey family, Priscilla Holliday, the Ruffin Davis family, the Leonard Rice family, the Dudley Hall family, the Milas Bostick family, the Charles Wells family, the Henry Cheney family, the Blackshear family, and the John Rogers family. Many ancestors of the old "builder" still remain with the church.
During the 1940's under the leadership of Rev. G. O. Jackson, the church was damaged and later restored. On June 19, 1960, the building was completely destroyed by fire. A new church was remodeled under the leadership of Rev. John R. Lewis. he added a fellowship hall. Rev. N. T. Burk added a baptistery, ladies lounge, pastor's living area, finance room, and completely bricked the church. On September 2, 1984, the church was again completely destroyed by fire.
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Our current church was constructed during the summer of 1985. Rev. Arthur Edwards was the pastor. We joyfully paid off the note five years later in 1989.
Zion Hill Baptist Church has a rich legacy. From its members, have arisen a diverse and multi-talented group who have blessed not only this community, but nationally, and "utmost corners of the world". We have professional men and women, homemakers, educators, laborers, many whom are or have been politicians, lawyers, military personnel, doctors, and other medical personnel. The merits of achievement is highly supported and encouraged at this church.
Zion Hill can truly say “look where the Lord has brought us”. We know that our progress would not have been possible without the help of God. When the pandemic, COVID 19 paralyzed the world in 2020, we could no longer meet in person, we introduced Zoom and Givelify, digital technologies to the congregation that allowed us to continue worshipping and giving services. Those digital platforms are still being used today. In February 2021, Texas experienced a major winter storm and the church endured major damages. Zion Hill had to undergo extensive reconstruction which resulted in a brand new interior throughout the church. After two years, we reentered the sanctuary April 17, 2022. We also had security cameras installed inside and outside of the church in July 2022.
Zion Hill is celebrating 134 years of dedicated service to the Lord. Under the current leadership of Pastor David A. McDonald II, our motto is "Building A Church People Can Believe In".
Zion Hill Baptist Church has a rich legacy. From its members, have arisen a diverse and multi-talented group who have blessed not only this community, but nationally, and "utmost corners of the world". We have professional men and women, homemakers, educators, laborers, many whom are or have been politicians, lawyers, military personnel, doctors, and other medical personnel. The merits of achievement is highly supported and encouraged at this church.
Zion Hill can truly say “look where the Lord has brought us”. We know that our progress would not have been possible without the help of God. When the pandemic, COVID 19 paralyzed the world in 2020, we could no longer meet in person, we introduced Zoom and Givelify, digital technologies to the congregation that allowed us to continue worshipping and giving services. Those digital platforms are still being used today. In February 2021, Texas experienced a major winter storm and the church endured major damages. Zion Hill had to undergo extensive reconstruction which resulted in a brand new interior throughout the church. After two years, we reentered the sanctuary April 17, 2022. We also had security cameras installed inside and outside of the church in July 2022.
Zion Hill is celebrating 134 years of dedicated service to the Lord. Under the current leadership of Pastor David A. McDonald II, our motto is "Building A Church People Can Believe In".