A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO CELEBRATE THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE Mt. Zion Baptist CHURCH AND TO CONGRATULATE AND HONOR Reverend Sherman B. McBeth AND its CONGREGATION FOR THEIR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE Eastover COMMUNITY.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to learn that Mt. Zion Baptist Church will celebrate its one hundred fiftieth anniversary on Sunday, July 12, 2026; and

 

Whereas, Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Eastover was organized as a brush arbor in the spring of 1875. The vision to organize a church was bestowed upon the Rev. Jacober Stroy by God while he was a tenant on the plantation of Colonel Dick Singleton. While the church's original edifice was being built, the congregation worshipped in the brush arbor for nearly two years until construction was completed in 1878. The original edifice was a humble building with trimmed pine logs as sills and in the ceiling. The church's first pastor was the brother of Rev. Jacober Stroy, Rev. Mitchell Stroy. Mt. Zion became the central meeting place for worship, prayer meetings, and other religious activities for all neighboring communities, and acted as the headquarters for revival meetings; and

 

Whereas, after many years of service, the first church building was tragically destroyed in a fire. There are no records of construction to rebuild until 1968, when construction started on a new worship building, with the formal dedication held in 1969. During the construction and dedication, Deacon J. Cheeseboro served as the chairman of the deacon board, with Rev. H.E. Hardin serving as pastor, which he did for forty-seven years as the church continued to grow and respond to the needs of the community; and

 

Whereas, in 1998, construction of the Hardin-Scott Fellowship Hall began. The fellowship hall was completed and dedicated on December 13, 1998, under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Patrick Wise. The deacons at that time were Chairman F. A. Scott Jr., S. Branham Sr., E. Brawley, R. Scott, F. Goodwin, W. Miles, M.D., and M. Scott; and

 

Whereas, the current sanctuary was renovated and dedicated in 2004 under the leadership of the Rev. Douglas Simmons; and

 

Whereas, Mt. Zion has been blessed with a rich spiritual legacy of leaders including Rev. Mitchell Stroy, Rev. Robert W. Jenkins, Rev. Crafton, Rev. Dr. Stephen C. Campbell, Rev. A. P. Porter, Rev. Dr. Jasper A. McConnell, Rev. Dr. Westbury H. Neal, Rev. Henry Mims, Rev. Dr. Henry E. Hardin, Rev. Robert Anthony, Rev. Wayne C. Cooper, Rev. Dr. Patrick Wise, Rev. Donald Chaney, Rev. Douglas Simmons, and Rev. Sherman B. McBeth; and

 

Whereas, from 2002 until 2014, under the leadership of Rev. Douglas Simmons, several ministries were born and the transportation ministry was implemented. The current sanctuary also was renovated and dedicated under his leadership; and

 

Whereas, the church's monumental anniversary is being celebrated under the spiritual, God-fearing leadership of Rev. Sherman B. McBeth, who joined the church as interim pastor in 2014, until officially being elected pastor in October of 2015. Under his leadership, renovations to the church and fellowship hall have been completed, as well as the purchase of a new LED marquee. He led the church through the COVID-19 pandemic with drive-thru communion services each month and weekly live-streamed worship services and Bible study. A new spiritual awakening evolved has under his pastoral leadership as they celebrate and "Renew The Covenant, Expanding The Legacy!"; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate commend Mt. Zion Baptist Church for a century and a half of remarkable ministry in and service to the community and extend warmest congratulations on the occasion of the church's historic anniversary. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, celebrate the joyous occasion of the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and congratulate and honor Rev. Sherman B. McBeth and its congregation for their years of dedicated service to the Eastover community.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Sherman B. McBeth.

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