Our History
The Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1945 in the home of the late Reverend G. B. Hamilton. Later the church purchased property at 3515 South Rhodes in Chicago, Illinois. In 1961, the Chicago Land Commission bought the Rhodes site and the Church moved to 4959 South Washington Park Court in Chicago.In 1967, Reverend Hamilton departed this life and Reverend W.C. Brown was elected Pastor. The Lord blessed Zion to burn its mortgage on November 18, 1981. After 17 years of serving the church and the community, Reverend W.C. Brown was called from labor to reward on October 24, 1983.The church was again in the need of a Pastor. Under the spiritual leadership of Pastor Grandee Duncan (the Pastor of New Zion Grove M.B. Church), Rev. Alfred E. Smith was introduced to the Zion Travelers family on the third Sunday in November 1983. On the second Sunday in December 1983, the Lord spoke and Reverend Smith accepted the call to become Pastor of this church. While preaching, teaching and walking the Word of God, the Lord gave Pastor Smith the vision to "Build a church before you build a church." Under the spiritual leadership of Pastor and Evangelist Smith, the church membership grew.In August of 1994, under the spiritual leadership of Pastor and Evangelist Smith, and the blessing of the Lord, the members of Zion were able to motorcade to their new $1.2 million dollar church home at 14875 South Wallace Avenue in South Holland, Illinois. Since this time, the Lord has continued to be faithful to his promises and the church has continued to prosper both spiritually and financially. Souls are continuing to be added to the church, while the ministries of Zion bless not only the church but the surrounding communities as well. As Pastor Smith listens to the voice of the Lord, he continues to be a builder of men and God’s Kingdom. In April of 2004 the Lord blessed Zion to open the doors to the Zion Buds of Promise Christian Academy, which is continually growing by the grace of God. The school has been licensed to house, teach, and train children between the ages of 6 weeks and 12 years, in the way of the Lord. The Lord has blessed Pastor Smith to enlarge Zion’s territory. In February 2014, our new educational facility was completed at the current church site. The Lord continues to place visions in his heart and spirit, for we believe that “Where there is no vision, the people perish”.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE, AND IS DOING FOR HIS PEOPLE!!
Contact Us
Zion Travelers M.B. Church
4959 South Washington Park Ct..
1961-1992
Address
14875 South Wallace
P.O. Box 413
South Holland, IL 60473
Telephone
708-210-9531
Fax
708-331-2361
Email
