Rocky Zion Missionary Baptist Church

and fourth Sundays, Rocky Zion members would attend services at First Baptist South. The church moved to meet for worship every Sunday during the pastorate of Rev. Johnnie Whetstone, who came as pastor after Rev. Woods. For some it was difficult to adjust to that, for the fellowship between First Baptist South and Rocky Zion had existed for so long that, understandably, it left a void in some members’ lives.

When Rev. James Adams was called as pastor, he ordained as deacons, Terry Young, Harry McCoy and James Truss Sr.

During a powerful storm on March 11, 1973, lightning struck the wooden sanctuary and severely damaged it. The church members worked together to repair the building and make it usable again. During the repairs, the congregation met for worship services at the Jacob Chapel C.M.E. church on Sunday afternoons.

In June 1996, the church called Rev. John E. Herd as pastor. Under his leadership, the church flourished. Choir membership increased, and worship services were enhanced by a praise team. The pastor reactivated Wednesday night prayer meeting and Bible study, organized New Year’s Eve Watch Night services, established Easter Sunrise services, and instituted programs for Black History Month so members could learn of their history. Rev. Herd ordained Deacon Ken Sheelton.

A New Sanctuary

From the 2001 Church Dedication Booklet, we learn that Rev. Herd “…had a vision from the Lord,” and he “approached the congregation with the idea of building not just a fellowship hall but a church with a fellowship hall. The body agreed,” and a brick sanctuary was constructed.

In an article announcing the new sanctuary, The St. Clair Times of Sept. 13, 2001, Gary Hanner reported that to bring the wooden structure up to code would have cost more than to build a new church. He quoted Deacon Wayne Johnson, who said of the new sanctuary, “It is something that will stimulate their (the members’) spiritual growth and is something they can be proud of for years to come. … Having the new facility will be an asset to the community.”

The dedication of the new sanctuary occurred on Sept. 23, 2001, and was a gala occasion. The congregation met outside the church for responsive readings. Then the contractor presented the keys of the new building to Deacon Young, who presented them to Deacon Truss. Rev. Herd and Deacon Young cut the ribbon, and Deacon Johnson opened the doors to the sanctuary. Someone rang the old church bell, and the congregation entered the church to the processional hymn, “Alleluia.” Rev. Herd prayed the consecration prayer, and the afternoon was filled with a joyful worship/dedicatory service in the new building.

After Rev. Herd, Rev. Woodrow Johnson came as pastor, and the church continued to flourish. Rev. William O. Robinson was called as pastor after Rev. Johnson. Rev. Robinson ordained Deacon Willie J. Forman. Deacon Stanley Nobles moved back home to Pell City and rejoined Rocky Zion.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which required churches to have online services, had a lasting effect after it subsided. Rocky Zion’s Sunday attendance is low, for many still watch online, and the choir is now a praise team. “It’s only four members,” observed Young, “but they sound like a choir.”