Our History

Historical Events by Decade

First Decade (1981 – 1991)

Church was founded by Reverend Thomas E. Sapp, Jr.
Church organized with one hundred thirty-two (132) original members.
Church named New Zion Missionary Baptist Church. The word “Hill” was later added to the church’s name at the recommendation of Mother Callie Mae Ward and officially became New Zion “Hill” Missionary Baptist Church.
Newly formed church met at Charles T. Walker for four consecutive Sundays.
Reverend Sapp found the present location and the first worship service was held at 3237 ½ Deans Bridge Road on April 12, 1981.
Church Dedication was held September 27, 1981.

Church became a member of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia and the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. in 1982.
Cornerstone was laid August 7, 1983.
Reverend Walker Roberts and Reverend Robert Thurmond joined under Reverend Sapp.
Deacons joined: Deacon Charles Anthony, Deacon Isaac Arnold, Deacon William Bass, Deacon Oliver Frazier, Deacon Forrest Holliman, Deacon Johnny Holmes, Deacon Burton Mayo, Jr., Deacon Herbert Simmons, and Deacon Charlie Tolbert. Brother James Banks and Brother Anthony Williams were ordained.
Reverend Thomas Sapp resigned January 25, 1987.
Reverend James A. Hogan, Sr., son of the house, installed as pastor on March 1, 1987.
Mortgage Burning program in September 1989 after final mortgage payment.
First minister, Reverend Arnette Suber, was licensed and other ministers joined: Reverend Handy Vining, Reverend Walter Lawson, Reverend Earl Harris, Sr. and Reverend Earl Harris, Jr.
Church purchased property and adjacent building (currently leased to Head Start) in 1991.
An A-Style roof and the construction of a new front entrance were completed

Second Decade (1992 – 2001)

Ministers added through member acquisition and licensing: Brother Moses Anderson was licensed to preach in 1993; Reverends Isaac and Millicent West joined (December 1995); Reverend Lemont Monroe joined (Spring 1998); Sister Angeleen Walker licensed (November 1998); Brother Tony Miller licensed (December 1998); Reverend Andrea Robinson joined (1999); Reverend John Pope joined (June 1999); Reverend Gordon Broddie licensed (July 1999); Evangelist Jeannine Woodard joined (October 1999); Reverend Inoris Douglas licensed (August 1999); Reverend Douglas Clark joined (2000); Brother Stanley Dawson was licensed (December 2001); and Reverend Sharon Douglas returned to New Zion Hill (August 2002). Reverend Fred Lawson also joined during this decade and later left to pastor Clark Grove Baptist Church.
Deacons ordained: Brothers Levi Robinson and Larry Thompson (February 1995); Brothers Arcola Mills, Joshua Drafton, and Luid Washington (April 2000).
Reverend Moses Anderson left New Zion Hill to be installed as pastor of Historic First Ebenezer Baptist Church (March 2000).
Additional renovations and changes including paving parking lot, erecting a free-standing church sign and steeple over front entrance, purchase of computers, replacing carpet, bathroom and foyer floors, refurbishing walls, and adding stained-glass windows.
Church purchased additional ten acres of land adjacent to the present site.
Reverend Thomas Sapp, the church’s founder, and Sister Callie Mae Ward, the Church Mother, passed from labor to reward.
Groundbreaking for sanctuary addition, new offices, and fellowship hall (2000).

Third Decade (2002 – 2011)

Renovations begun in 2000 were completed.
Church went online with its first website.
Old wing of church named in honor of Mother Callie Mae Ward.
New wing and fellowship hall named in honor of Reverend Dr. James A. Hogan, Sr.
Reverend Angeleen Walker left to pastor Rock of Ages Missionary Baptist Church (February 2002), Reverend Gloria Pope was licensed (December 2002) and Reverends John and Gloria Pope left due to military assignment.
Reverend Tony Miller left New Zion Hill to pastor Compass Christian Baptist Church (October 003).
Reverend Tony Miller and Reverend John Pope ordained (December 2003).
Brothers Michael Best, Leonard Guy, and Randolph Wade ordained as deacons (December 2004).
Reverend Lemont Monroe left New Zion Hill to pastor Revelation of God Baptist Church (February 2006). Reverend Douglas Clark left to assist Reverend Monroe (February 2006).
Reverend Betty Clark licensed (May 2006), Reverend Doris Brazil licensed (November 2006) and Reverend Virginia Mason licensed (December 2006).
Reverend Malinda Monroe joined (January 2007).
First Homecoming celebration held (October 2007).
New groups and ministries formed: Young Adult Choir, Young Adult Ministry, Fine Arts Ministry, Clusters, and Veterans Ministry.
Deacons ordained: Brothers Ronnie Douglas, Norman Smoot, and Charles Webster (February 2009).
Deacons Taylor Kelly and Royce R. Garner joined in 2009.
Minister Darius Collins joined (November 2009).

2012 Through Present

Deacons ordained: Brother Beverly Dunn and Brother Johnnie Pratt Sr. (February 2012); Brother Cardell Broddie (February 2017). Deacon Angelo Nichols joined (February 2017).
Reverend Dr. James Hogan, Sr. celebrated his Silver and Gold Anniversary.
Reverends Isaac and Millicent West were ordained (May 2012).
Deacon Joshua Drafton acquired his Dean Certification from the Sunday School Publishing Board (NBC, USA, Inc.) and became first Dean of the New Zion Hill Christian Leadership School.
The New Zion Hill Christian Leadership School was established in 2012.
Reverend Stacey Williams joined (March 2012), Reverend Johnnie Erwin joined (June 2012); Reverend Marilyn McKinley licensed (2013) and Reverend Mandrell Roberts joined (May 2014).
Acquisitions in 2014: security cameras, new roof, new ice machine, new piano.
Paid off all land (2014).
In 2015: added handicapped fixtures; installed additional outdoor and pulpit lights; purchased drum set and upgraded organ; renovated kitchen and paid off mortgage. Reverend Marilyn McKinley relocated to South Carolina and Reverend Malinda Monroe left to assist another ministry.
Reverend Douglas Hart joined (July 2015) and left to Pastor Clark Grove Baptist Church.
During the 2016 Church Anniversary, Deacon Charles Anthony was recognized and honored for his many years of service and dedication. On the following Sunday, Deacon Anthony was presented with a plaque and awarded the status of “Deacon Emeritus.”
In 2016, the Security Ministry made great strides toward a definitive security plan for the church. This included the installation of more secure doors, the formation of an evacuation plan, and the addition of more cameras and an intercom system. Also, during 2016, Deacon Best was honored and presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for his years of service to the Sound Ministry. Shortly afterward, , Deacon and Sister Best left to join another ministry.
In 2017, Reverend Millicent West became the new Dean of the NZH Christian Leadership School, Reverend Inoris Grant left New Zion Hill to serve in another ministry and Reverend Lemont returned to the ministerial staff. A special milestone was observed when Reverend Dr. James A. Hogan, Sr. celebrated his 30^th Anniversary as Pastor of New Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church.
In 2018, the Building Committee was reorganized to plan further expansion and upgrades of the church.
In 2019, Brother Samuel Smith preached his initial sermon and was licensed as minister. Due to military reassignment, he and his family left to serve the Lord in Maryland.
2020 was a very challenging year, in more ways than one. Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, New Zion Hill closed its doors to all services and activities during March/April 2020. Modified services resumed the first Sunday in May. Adherence to CDC recommendations and regulations to include mask wearing and proper distancing were put into effect.
Deacons Forrest Hollimon (posthumously), Luid Washington, and Levi Robinson were recognized for their many years of devoted service and were awarded the status of “Deacon Emeritus.”
With renewed hope, we entered 2021 and after nearly a year, Bible Study resumed the first week of January.
In 2022, Back to Church Sunday was observed as a way to encourage members to return after the COVID pandemic.
2023 brought the rebirth of several annual programs. In July 2023, our Women’s Conference resumed with more than 100 participants. In October, we celebrated a mega-Family and Friends Day Celebration in lieu of our annual Homecoming observance.
In 2024, afternoon services were resumed on a limited basis.
In February 2025, Deacon Joshua Drafton and Deacon James Banks were recognized for their many years of devoted service and were awarded the status of “Deacon Emeritus.”

Through the Years

Other deacons who joined New Zion Hill at different times were Deacon Thomas Madison, Deacon Albert Griffin, Deacon Freeman Jones and Deacon James Griffin.

New Zion Hill has endured many trials and enjoyed a number of triumphs. We have welcomed many new members and sadly bid farewell to others who shared in this Christian walk together with us. Nevertheless, under the strong spiritual leadership and tutelage of our pastor, Reverend Dr. James A. Hogan, Sr., the Church has continued moving forward, with an increase in membership, considerable renovations, numerous ministry opportunities, and a solid base of Biblical teaching.

Want to learn more? Call (706) 793-2329 to learn more about our Baptist church!