Mt Zion MB Church

Location: 1047 Kenwood St., Hammond (Lake County), Indiana 46320

Installed 2019 Indiana Historical Bureau, Pastor William R. Collins, and the Congregation of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church

ID#: 45.2019.3

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Side One:

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church became a center for religious, political, social, and civic life for Hammond’s African American community. Established by black members ca. 1919, the small congregation grew under long-serving pastor Rev. William Davis. After years of fundraising, Mt. Zion dedicated the church here in 1949 and it continues to serve the community.

Side Two:

Rev. Albert R. Burns, Sr. served from 1945-1998 and worked to challenge racial injustice. Under his leadership, the congregation advocated for civil rights, housing, and job opportunities for Hammond’s black residents. In 1983, the Mt. Zion Housing Authority, a subsidiary of the church, helped open Mt. Zion Pleasant View Plaza to provide affordable senior citizen housing.

Keywords

Religion, African American