Organized in 1871 by a small group of dedicated Christians who had prayed and labored together in love, understanding, and fellowship, the Zion Missionary Baptist Church has served as a beacon of hope and a place of refuge in the Groveway Community of Roswell and sharing the light and love of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Fifteen men have been called to serve this congregation: Reverends William Jones (first pastor); Woodson, A. Z. Whatley, Harvey, L. Jones, Wilson, Smith, James, Lowe, L. P. Jones, B. J. Johnson, Jr., J. B. Nuckles, Frank Lewis, Robert James, and Christoper Todd. The church has also ordained and/or licensed numerous individuals as ministers of the Gospel since our conception and designation as a Christian organism.



The first church building was a one-story structure built on land donated by some Caucasian citizens of Roswell, also serving as a school. The initial building was destroyed by fire in 1885. After the building’s destruction, the faithful members rebuilt the church, and the congregation began to grow. After several decades of use, the old church building was razed in 1963, and a new building was constructed. The congregation marched into the new structure on February 16, 1964. In addition to continued ministry and mission activities, this facility was expanded and renovated through the years.

In more recent years, under the 31 years of pastoral leadership of Dr. Frank Lewis, Zion’s longest-serving pastor, numerous progressive standards and rites of worship and fellowship were accomplished. Multiple mission ministries were developed in several countries including Malawi, West Africa; Liberia, Africa; Nova Scotia; Jamaica; London, England, and Germany; mission trips to Korea and Haiti were conducted. He gave us the vision and motto of “A Refuge from the Storms of Life” and the mission, “To win souls and build up the Body of Christ.”

As our congregation continued to grow, more educational ministries and facilities to serve all age groups were instituted including AWANA Ministry (preschool-sixth grade Bible Study), a restructured Boy Scout Troop 206 (developed at least 22 plus Eagle Scouts), our Refuge Lay Counseling Ministry, and Children‘s Church. A state-accredited daycare facility was birthed in 2002. Dr. Lewis, along with his lovely wife, Mamie, were loving, loyal, enthusiastic members and supporters of Kairos Prison Ministry and Cursillo Ministry movements involving our members.

Also, during Dr. Lewis’s tenure, we marched to our new 77,000-square-foot facility on Sunday, March 18, 2001, beginning our history at 888 Zion Circle. Since its relocation, Zion has created both youth and young adult centers, completed interior and exterior building enhancements, and increased its online presence. Dr. Lewis served faithfully until his death on August 5, 2014.

Despite the sudden loss of Zion’s beloved pastor in 2014, the church body endured. Between January 2015 and October 2015, Zion flourished under the leadership of an interim pastor, Rev. Dr. Jeffery Haggray, igniting Zion to embark on new endeavors for church growth and improvement, including the Forty Days of Discernment program, cluster groups, and an elected Transition Team and Pastor Search Team.

After over a year of steady prayer and seeking God’s will, Zion installed Reverend Robert James as its fourteenth senior pastor on April 30, 2017. During his tenure, Zion served as the host church when the Lott Carey Convention convened in Atlanta. With his expertise in media and technology, Zion improved the delivery of our online worship service. We also increased our community outreach. Dr. James departed Zion, according to God’s will, in April 2022.

During our time of pastoral vacancy, our faithful associate ministers, Reverend Dr. Willie Caldwell, Reverend Eddie Washington, and Reverend Gary Walker lovingly gave their care, time, and talent to serve our congregation.

In August 2023, Zion called, and the Lord sent Rev. Christopher M. Todd to serve as our Senior Pastor. It has become clear that God has commissioned Pastor Todd to continue to develop the ministry and people of the Zion Missionary Baptist Church during this season. In his short tenure, Zion has experienced revived focus, direction, and growth, standing poised to strengthen our spiritual journey which began over 153 years ago.