MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH

MT. ZION Baptist Church was the name of the Baptist Church located at Old Hico (Honey Creek Trading Post) eighteen miles north of Hamilton.  Dr. Duncan Donavon Tidwell wrote in "A History of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church" that Mt. Zion at Old Hico on Honey Creek was the first Baptist church organized in Hamilton County, TX. 

Rev. L. D. Stringer and Rev. A. D. Maroney, ministers from the Leon River Baptist Association were instrumental in founding Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church during the summer of 1861. In conjunction with founding this church, Isaac Reed was ordained and became its first pastor. Mt. Zion and Honey Creek Baptist Churches were members of the Leon River Baptist Association prior to the formation of the Bosque River Baptist Association. In 1864 Daniel S. Babb was licensed as a Baptist minister by Mt. Zion.

Isaac Reed came to Hamilton county in 1860 as a licensed minister.   Reed participated in Indian fights, had limited education, was a fluent speaker, and was a good preacher.

Arvord M. Abernethy wrote in "Centennial History of Hamilton County Baptist Association" that Mt. Zion Baptist Church was a member of the Bosque River Baptist Association in 1874. It became Hico Baptist Church when the town moved to the banks of the Bosque River. Mt. Zion Baptist Church was organized in 1861 and was admitted to the Hamilton County Baptist Association on 9 September, 1888, and was dissolved in 1891."

Mt. Zion was a charter member of the Bosque River Baptist Association when it was founded 10 November, 1869, and remained a member of this association until the Bosque River Association was dissolved on 21 October, 1887.  Isaac Malone and J. Q. Anderson represented Mt. Zion at the organizational meeting of the Bosque River Association at the Puluxy Church in Hood County. In 1869 the danger of Indian attack made it necessary for all of the messengers to keep their pistols strapped to their waists and to post a guard on their horses. Following the Sunday evening service the Puluxy community was raided by Indians who stole horses. On Monday morning the visiting messengers ("All of the men of the community were off Indian hunting.") assembled just long enough to adjourn before rushing home to protect their own families.

Mt. Zion Baptist Church became a member of Hamilton County Baptist Association on 9 September, 1888. G. W. Roberts was pastor in 1889. Some of the church clerks were: W. D. Denham; 1888; and J. S. Pelton, 1889. Messengers to the Hamilton County Baptist annual meeting were: 1888--J. T. McGuire; and 1889--J. T. McGuire, W. T. Thompson.  

After Old Hico moved to the new location at the railroad tracks, most of the members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church became members of Hico Baptist Church.  Mt. Zion Baptist Church was dissolved in 1891.

MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH