Historical Brief
of
Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church
The Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church got its beginning in the year of our Lord 1892, when a small group of devoted Christians under the spiritual leadership of the Rev. C. W. Watson discontinued their membership with the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Pinewood, South Carolina. The seventeen (17) family heads were as follows:
Abner Brunson
Henry Harvin
Frank Riley
Butler J. Tarleton
Paris Brunson
Mose Hankins
Jim Riley
Gadson Tarleton
Adam Cooper
Samuel Jackson
Oliver Shannon
Johnnie Williams
Julius Durant
Harrison Pack
Jeff Shannon
Mose Williams
A place of worship was sought within the area of the Paxville and Pinewood community. The first place of worship was in an old building called the “Red Hill School” located a short distance off Highway 261 between Paxville and Pinewood, South Carolina. These gospel-fed and spirit-led “Pioneers of Christ” remained in this “Bethel Spot” a short time.
Discontented by not having a permanent place of worship, on May 15, 1893, they purchased a plot of land from Mr. Levi, located in Paxville, South Carolina. With the flame of Christ still glowing and showing the need for a church, they launched forth in the struggle to build. The church was completed in 1894, the membership steadily increased and many activities came into being.
The Church’s first three deacons were Deacon Durant, Deacon S. Johnson, and Deacon Harrison Pack. The first superintendent and Clerk was Julius Durant.
The church joined the fellowship and became a member of the Pee Dee Association in 1903. The Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church was among the first to join the newly formed Black River Association.
In the early thirties disaster struck. A fire swept through and destroyed the entire sanctuary. The members rose up and said, “Let’s rebuild.” With unfailing determination and sincere dedication to duty, the church was successfully rebuilt on that same spot.
The present church structure was started in 1955 under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. N. F. Butler, whose preaching and leadership restored the Baptist doctrinal fellowship. Rev. N. F. Butler continued his pastorate until the fall of 1959.
In December 1959, the Rev. Richard Samuel Johnson was named pastor. He demonstrated his ability to lead under the direction of the Holy Spirit. With the assistance of the church’s leadership and support of the membership, this edifice was completed, furnished and dedicated in 1960.
The church’s membership grew steadily, an educational complex was added, and new organizations were formed under the pastorship of Rev. Johnson. The sanctuary was refurnished with new pews, and new carpet was installed. Rev. Johnson continued his pastorate until his retirement in 1990.
Rev. Darrell Frazier was named pastor in January 1990. Through his leadership and direction of the Holy Spirit, the church grew physically, financially and spiritually. The Fellowship Hall was completed in 1992 and the parking lot was paved in 1995.
Rev. Darrell Frazier remained as pastor from 1990 through 1999. After his departure, the church sustained under the direction of the Deacons and the support of the membership for a period of one year and a half; the church thrived under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
In March of 1999, the church continued to grow, a house with sixteen (16) acres of land was purchased. This house is now a Community Center for Paxville and surrounding areas.
In April 2001, Rev. Clifford Gaymon became the “Answer to our Prayers”. He has truly demonstrated his ability to lead under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Under his leadership, the church has experienced continued growth in every aspect of the ministry, among them, the renovation of the sanctuary and the development of the Workforce Technology Center. We pray to continue God’s blessings of spiritual growth under the leadership of Rev. Clifford Gaymon.
Many of the once laboring saintly comrades who played a major part in the advancement of the church are resting in the bliss of God’s eternal rest. We say of them, “sleep on and take your well-deserved rest, for we all must join you in a land where God loves us best.” The descendants of these pioneers can still be found working in all capacities of the church.
Lastly, the roster of pastors who have served at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church are as follows:
Rev. C. W. Watson
Rev. Dix Rev. Murphy
Rev. N. F. Butler
Rev. T. W. Dixon
Rev. J. C. Clark
Rev. C. W. Hunter
Rev. R. S. Johnson
Rev. Conyers
Rev. J. H. Miles
Rev. S. J. Weston
Rev. D. D. Frazier
Rev. C. F. McFadden
Rev. J. W. McCoy
Rev. M. W. Tindal
Rev. Clifford Gaymon (present)
Members and Friends, this is our Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church History.
Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church 