It is not known when Old Zion U.P. B. Church was built.  The record of the Big Harpeth Association says that Richard Mitchell represented Old Zion in the Association at Spring Hill, Tennessee, August 31, 1872.  This was the Sixth Annual Session of the Association. 

 

The articles of the Church were received from the “White” Primitive Baptist.  The Association was organized on the Big Harpeth River, North of Franklin, Tennessee in 1866.

 

There were only five churches:

 

1. White Springs, Columbia, Tennessee
2. St. James, Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee
3. Old Zion, Pulaski, Tennessee
4. Providence, Franklin, Tennessee
5. McNairy Hill, Nashville, Tennessee

 

The following Elders were present:

 

1. Elder Thomas Williamson (Columbia)
2. Elder Gilbert Thomas
3. Elder Peter Nelson (Mt. Pleasant)
4. Elder Jack McGee (Mt. Pleasant)
5. Elder Richard Mitchell (Pulaski)
6. Elder Alex Grant (Columbia)

 

 

  The following information was taken from written church records starting circa 1912.  Various elected church secretaries recorded the information.   

 

According to the Church Deed, the land was purchased July 10, 1875, from S.E. Rose and Sumpter for the sum of $300.00 to build Old Zion (a copy of the deed is available).  This sum of money was paid by Paris Bramlette, McMinn, Cleveland and Willis Bramlette, who were then trustees of the church.

 

Willis Bramlette was the first secretary and treasurer of the church.    Elder Richard Mitchell was the first Pastor of Old Zion U.P.B. Church (circa 1872).    Elder T. J. Peeler was also one of the early Pastors of the church.   Church records show Elder Peeler was pastor circa 1912 until 1930.  Elder Alex Stratton followed him.  He was pastor of Old Zion between January 1930 and 1936.  He passed away in September 1936.

 

Church records show that Elder W.E. Hamilton assumed pastorship of Old Zion Sunday, October 4, 1935 with only 16 members.   During his pastorate the walls of the church were sheet-rocked and the Usher Board was organized.  He left Old Zion October 26, 1947.

 

Elder Timothy Stratton followed Elder Hamilton.   In the December 27, 1947 Church minutes, Elder Stratton was voted and assumed the pastorship of Old Zion.  He brought an old piano to the church.  He also coordinated numerous other remodeling projects, i.e., painting inside the Church and the seats, and a small room was added.    Also, a pulpit set was purchased.  He was pastor at Old Zion 24 years until his death May 5, 1968.

 

Elder Richard Gassaway became pastor (sometime after July 1968) after Elder Timothy Stratton’s death.  He organized a choir and traded the old piano in on a new piano.   Under his pastorate the church-yard was converted into a parking lot.   Elder Gassaway died in 1971.  Old Zion’s regular church services were second and fourth Sundays with day and night services.   That was changed sometime after the pastor-ship of Elder Gassaway. 

 

Elder Robert Hawse became the pastor of Old Zion January 23, 1972 until 1978.  The kitchen was built during his ministry.  Elder Walter E. Wade was pastor of Old Zion for a short period of time (less than a year) in 1979 before Elder Jesse Haliburton was called to pastor Old Zion.   He was pastor for approximately 11 years.   In 1991 Elder Jesse Haliburton resigned as pastor due to illness.  During Elder Haliburton’s pastor-ship new pews, were purchased and other items such as a water fountain, communion and offering tables, telephones, a vacuum cleaner and deacon chairs, were added.

 

Present Pastor:  Elder Robert L. Peavy

 

Old Zion’s present pastor is Elder Robert L. Peavy  -   In 1976, the 24^th day of September Robert received his license to preach the Gospel.  In 1977, he was ordained in the ministry by the Mud Creek Association.   He was appointed Field Missionary in the Mud Creek Association in August, and served until 1992.   He began his pastor ship at Old Zion United Primitive Baptist Church in 1992.   That same year, the 2^nd Sunday in August, installation service was held at Old Zion United Primitive Baptist Church.

 

On November 2, 1973, he was united in marriage to Doris Graham.  To this union, two children were born, Yutta Rochelle and Robby Tyree.

 

 Since Elder Peavy’s pastor-ship, many new members have been added to the Church.   Also much needed work on the existing building has been completed including a North side entrance to the Church, a handicapped ramp and a Pastor’s study.   The sanctuary has been remodeled (new paint, new doors and ceiling molding) with an expanded pulpit and a large choir seating area behind the pulpit.

 

Present Deacons of the Church are:    Fred N. Coffey, James T. Coffey and James Talley.

 

Past and present Secretaries of the Church:  Sis. Lizzie Lee Reynolds served as Church Secretary for 45 years.    She joined Old Zion June 19, 1933 and was elected secretary July 21, 1933 and served until 1978.   She resigned due to failing health.   Others included:  Sis. Bernice Jenkins, Sis. Ruth Ann Coffey, Assistant Secretary Bro. Travis Brown,  Sis. Margaret A. Howard and the present Secretary is Sis. LaVerne Nolen.

 

The available records of Old Zion United Primitive Baptist Church identified 13 pastors over the past approximate 133 years.

 

Previous and present Pastors:

 

Elder Richard Mitchell (1872)

Elder Jeff McFall

Elder E.  McDowall

Elder T.J. Peeler (1912- (name was entered in church record books as Pastor from 1912 – 1930)

Elder Alex Stratton  (1930-1936)

Elder W.E. Hamilton (1935-1947)

Elder Timothy Stratton (1947-1968)

Elder Richard Gassaway (1968-1971)

Elder Robert Hawse (1972-1978)

Elder Walter E. Wade (1978 – stayed less than a year)

Elder Jesse Haliburton (1979-1991)

Elder Robert L. Peavy (1992 – Present)

 

Note:  The first Old Zion Church sat up on the hill behind the present structure.  It was a small one room building.    We do not know the date the present Church was built.   However, the Church was said to have burned and was rebuilt - no date available.  Also, the front entrance was located on the South side of the building at one point.  It is now faces McGrew Street on the East side. 

 

Additionally, Old Zion was used as a school.   Professor J. T. Bridgeforth and Professor H. H. Thompson taught school in the church until Broadview School was built.

 

____________

 

Some of the information contained in this paper was taken from a document prepared by Sis. Lizzie L. Reynolds, Church Secretary for 45 years (1933-1978).    Historical information about the Big Harpeth United Primitive Baptist Association was provided by Elder Herman Mosley.   This current information was researched and documented by Sis. Ada Nelson.