In the year of 1902, a small group of people living in various communities surrounding Greenhaven, New York wanted to formulate a central place of worship and fulfill their spiritual needs.
Mrs. Hannah H. Sheldon provided her home as a place for prayer and devotion. These prayer meetings began the organization of what is now known as the Mount Zion Baptist Church of Stormville, New York. The organization of the church was prompted by prominent leaders; Reverend Berry and Charles S. Farries of the Ebenezer Church in Poughkeepsie, New York and Reverand H.S. Duers, who was Pastor Emeritus of the Centennial Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Ossining, New York. Sister Mary Johnson was the founder and charter member who submitted the name of the church in 1902. She went on to become the first church. Among the first Mount Zion members were Charles and Eva Johnson, James, Laura and Martha Jackson and Edmonia Henderson.
The church was erected on the land donated in 1903. Under the pastorate of Reverand Edward Brown in 1904, who served the church for twenty-nine years until he was called home to glory in 1933. The following ministers pastored after Rev. Brown; Reverend Walter Bundy 1933-1936, Reverend Charles Byrd – 1936-1942, Reverend Samuel Hodge–1942-1945, Reverend Charles Byrd-1945-1946, Reverend Richard Puryear– 1952-1961.
A generous donations was given to the church by the Donaldson family of Pawling, NY. The church was able to install and enjoy inside plumbing, restrooms, a redecorated sanctuary, and a new renovated kitchen. Even though Rev. Puryear could not serve every Sunday because of his services rendered at another church, the members of Mt. Zion desired to worship every Sunday and with the encouragement of Rev. Puryear decided to seek a full-time pastor position. Under his leadership the church continued to grow spiritually and during their search, Reverend Rufus A Strother, Jr, became the seventh pastor serving from 1961 to 1965. Rev. Strother jumped into community outreach and started Mt. Zion’s Summer Barbeque Dinner, which kicked off bringing people to the church from the community. Rev. Strother ended his pastorate in 1984, when he was called to pastor the Antioch Church in Bedford Hills.
The church called the Reverend Jason C. Guice of the Universal Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY, who accepted the pastoral ship, February 1966 being the eighth pastor. Under Rev. Guice, the church underwent major renovations at the cost of 75,000 that were completed in 1970. This construction gave the church a new sanctuary, kitchen, bathroom, fellowship hall and the first indoor baptismal pool was installed. Reverand Guice helped Mount Zion opened the “Mt. Zion Baptist Mission” in Pawling. Rev. Guice started an annual turkey dinner that people came from near and far to attend every year. It was such a fun time for the kids and adults to fellowship in the weeks of preparation leading up to the dinner. Mt. Zion became known by this dinner that was held the week before Thanksgiving. The dinner ended in 2006 but many people still remember what a wonderful fellowship the dinner was. Rev. Guice ended his pastorate in 1984, when he was called to pastor the First Baptist Church in Hampton, VA.
In 1984, Reverend Walter R. Hall, Jr. was called to Mount Zion Baptist Church from New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey where he served as Assistant Pastor. Rev. Hall became the ninth pastor to the Mount Zion family.
Under Rev. Hall’s leadership the church opened investment accounts, computerized membership and financial records, helped Scholarship Ministry reorganize to publish several newsletters and helped in awarding over $80,000 to graduating students. Pastor Hall ordained 19 deacons, 12 deaconesses, 4 ministers Rev. Larry Thomas, Rev. Thomas Coleman, Rev. Desmond Wedderburn and Rev Clarice Murphy (including licensing our first female minister at the church in 2002, Minister Peggy Fennell).
Rev. Hall vision brought us to our second renovation which included state of the art audio/visual system, security, and fire alarm systems, a larger fellowship hall, modern kitchen and bathrooms, Sunday School classrooms, Choir room, Library, Executive Offices, expanded and paved parking lot and an expanded and renovated sanctuary at a cost of $650,000 that was completed in 1997. Through the grace of God and the sacrificial dedication of His people, our mortgage was burned in June 2006.
As we celebrate our 120th Church Anniversary, thanking God for the sacrifices made by His people and those that has passed on, we would be remised not to remember our beloved pastor Rev. Walter R. Hall, Jr., who passed away July 2019, serving this church body for 35 years.
We are moved toward in searching for a new pastor to lead Mt. Zion into the next generation. The search grew long, and the church decided to use one of our own, who become the first woman interim pastor in the church history in January of 2022. Rev. Clarice Murphy who has moved forward in leading God’s people and reopening our church doors after being closed for over 2 years due to COVID19. The church continues to embrace her and lift her up for standing in the gap on our behalf.
During July 2022 the church voted in our tenth pastor, Associate Minister, Reverend John E. Rembert from Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church from Peekskill, NY. The church was enthusiastic to welcome our new Pastor and First Lady Shari Rembert into our congregation. They have embraced each and every one of us with the love of Christ. Pastor Rembert welcomes every issue and concern with Jesus Holy Word. He has an open door and phone line to the needs of his congregation. God sent us Pastor Rembert to lead God’s people to the next chapter in this church history, His goal is to preach God’s Word to his congregation with the objective to, “Proclaiming Spiritual Growth,” 2 Peter 3:18, through a relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.