NEW ZION CHURCH CELEBRATES 86TH ANNIVERSARY
New Zion Primitive Baptist Church will celebrate its 86th church anniversary on Sunday, November 26, 2023. The church invites community members, friends and family to celebrate with them during a special worship service at 3:00 P.M. The anniversary theme is “Building on a Firm Foundation”. The speaker for the anniversary service is Elder James Griffin of Faith Temple Primitive Baptist Church, Plant City, Florida
New Zion was constituted by Evangelist A. Rice in 1937 in the Fruitville community in a small church that was also used as a one-room school building near the celery fields where most members lived and worked. The church was started with six members: Bro. Bill Weston; Elder Willie Mayes, Sr.; Sis. Willie Mae Weston; Sis. Agnes Mayes; Sis. Mary Reeves; Sis. Carrie Giltree. Minister A. Jackson was the minister during that time and later Elder L. Miller became pastor. New Zion continued to grow and prosper under his leadership.
In 1981, Elder Huet Sampson, Sr. was called as pastor and in 1984, Elder Willie Mayes, Jr. was called as pastor. Under Elder Mayes’ leadership, New Zion became active in the National Primitive Baptist Convention; Fifth Sunday Union #1; and South Florida Progressive Primitive Baptist Association.
Elder Herbert Prince, Sr. was selected to become the next pastor of New Zion on May 26, 2019 where he continues to serve. Elder Prince served faithfully under the leadership of Elder Mayes and continues the work imparted in him. His vision for the church is “Christians Working Together in Unity.”
New Zion is located at 2200 Mango Avenue in Sarasota. Deacon Richard Humphrey and Mother Rosa Lee Thomas are co-chairpersons.
