How We Got Where We Are (Our History)
Greater Mt. Zion has been introducing Christians and pre-Christians alike to a Greater Leader, a greater way and a greater life since its inception in 1930.  Who says you have to have your own building to have church?  On December 8, 1930, founding organizer Rev. I.H. Strong along with other Greater Mt. Zion charter members conducted their first church meeting at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church and from that point on GMZ’s membership began to grow exponentially. The lot where the GMZ of today rests, 1801 Pennsylvania Avenue, was purchased on August 12, 1932 and the opening services were conducted two days later on August 14th.  With a new home and new ministry developments, GMZ was well on her way to living up to her name, Greater.

Following Pastor Strong’s death in 1932, his successor, Rev. John Bell fulfilled the role of interim pastor until Rev. C.H. Jones was elected to lead the growing flock in 1933.  Greater Mt. Zion was never void of great leaders and thus the legacy continued over the years with Rev. N.S. Brown, who took the helm in 1935.  With ministry, growth, and church enhancement on his mind, Pastor Brown played an instrumental role in purchasing additional property, encouraging growth in membership and forming new ministries that made a difference.   The greater torch was then passed on to Rev. J.H. Washington in 1942 where he led GMZ into a new phase of development, in the church and through community and civic engagements.  An impeccable teacher, innovator and civil rights leader, this “Pastor of Pastors” spear-headed two remodeling initiatives, which included adding air conditioning and other modern renovations; completed and dedicated the edifice of GMZ as we know it today; and most remarkably, in 1946, established the first African American nursery in the city of Austin.  Later funded by the United Way, this nursery provided childcare for, not only GMZ members, but served as a nursery facility for low-income, working parents of the general Austin public.  At the time of his death in March of 1966, Washington left the Greater Mt. Zion family with some big shoes to fill, shoes temporarily filled by Rev. R.T. Shorts until August of 1966.  

Greater Leadership
The date… August 15, 1966 – The man… Rev. N.W. Bacon Jr.  Throughout Bacon’s tenure, Greater Mt. Zion’s established legacy of leadership and excellence was catapulted to the next level through a multitude of ministry, educational and financial accomplishments.  With a Matthew 28:19-20 perspective (“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…), Pastor Bacon served in various capacities where GMZ would have the opportunity to impact those outside the walls of Austin, outside the walls of Texas and ultimately outside the walls of the United States.  Under Bacon’s leadership, the church underwent extensive renovations, all which were modern and financially sound and would position the church to embrace and accommodate a 21st century worship experience.  Bacon’s supreme ability to orate over the pulpit and lead in the community would be a force to be reckoned with for thirty-three years until his retirement in 1999. 

A Greater Legend
It took Greater Mt. Zion only one day to incorporate music into her order of service, and on December 9, 1930, the Senior Choir was formed.  Traditionally a staple in the church, music played a vital role in the growth and spiritual makeup of GMZ over the years.  With the addition of various choirs that would meet the needs of age-specific groups of the church, commensurate leadership appointments were necessary in order for these groups to continue to thrive.  One such leader was Sister Harriet Hardin who stepped on the music ministry scene at Greater Mt. Zion in 1961, serving as director of the Youth Choir.  Talent and gifting will always make a way for advancement, and Sister Hardin quickly progressed to director of the Angelic Gospel Choir (formally the Senior Choir), which is GMZ’s feature choir today.  Made “official” in 1974, Sister Hardin was given the title, “Minister of Music” and served the Greater Mt. Zion church for more than 40 years.  This winning musician, composer and musically educated servant of God ran a tight ship and emphasized and strived for excellence throughout her leadership. 

Sister Hardin left an incredible emptiness in the hearts and minds of the Greater family upon her death on August 30, 2003. Mourned and celebrated in true fashion, Greater decided to pay homage to Sister Hardin with the naming of the Harriet G. Hardin Fellowship Hall. 

Your Greater Pastor
Picture it… Austin, Texas…. May 2000.  The start of something great, something greater!  Pastor Gaylon C. Clark started his own Great Beginning at Greater Mt. Zion in 2000.  A native of Dallas, Texas and protégé of the late Dr. E.K. Bailey of the Concord Church, Pastor Clark pays much credit and utmost gratitude to Dr. Bailey for the development of his “God character” and leadership fortitude.  Clark continues to serve GMZ and the Greater Austin community with much vigor and effectiveness through creative messages, interactive learning experiences, innovative teaching and instruction, unconventional worship dynamics and an array of other community and church-wide efforts that effectively impact God’s people. 

To know Pastor Clark is to love him.  To know his heart for God’s people is to be excited about the number of people that have been and will be impacted though his ministry.  To know his commitment to this church and to its members is to be a member of Greater Mt. Zion. You are loved and valued by a pastor and a church that desires your “Great Beginning” to excel to greater heights.