Church History

Pastoral Heritage | History Newsletter

 

THE EARLY YEARS

Mt. Zion Apostolic Church traces its history to the early 20th century, beginning in 1922. Originally located in Norwood on Indianapolis’ south side, the congregation moved to its current site in the Forest Manor community on East 38th Street in 1997.

Mt. Zion was founded as a small mission by Lillian Mason, who rose from her sick bed with a determination to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to all the world. She went out into the streets of Norwood inviting people into her home at 1206 Earhart Street for prayer meetings. Bringing a work of the Lord into existence, she nursed it during hard tests and trials and rejoiced in its victories. She loved the people and nurtured them both spiritually and naturally. These were the seeds that gave rise to the ministry that would become Mt. Zion Apostolic Church. Through the years the church met in several locations including a railroad boxcar and a converted pool hall. Early names of the church were The Pentecostal Assembly of Christ Temple and Christ Temple No. 2. In 1959, realizing the fruition of her labors, a two-story brick edifice was built at 3412 E. Prospect Street. In 1966 after 44 years of service to God and man, Pastor Mason turned the leadership over to her assistant, Elder James Franklin. On August 13, 1975, at the age of 84, she passed away. 

Bishop James O. Franklin was officially installed as the second pastor on November 19, 1967. On March 13, 1969, seeking to promote good sound business practices, and to help the church establish its own identity, he facilitated the church’s name change from Christ Temple No. 2 to Mt. Zion Apostolic Church. Bishop Franklin was elevated to the bishopric in 1975 by the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith (PCAF). As a skilled carpenter, he directed and helped build a three-story annex to the Prospect Street building, adding much needed classrooms and office space. During these years, missions and evangelism became a big part of Mt. Zion. Members fanned out into the community, inviting people to the church much like Pastor Mason had done years earlier. Through a foreign missions program, the church sponsored orphanages in Haiti, Jamaica, and Africa. For twenty years Bishop Franklin conducted an invaluable ministry at Mt. Zion. He was best known for his teachings and knowledge on the book of Revelation. He passed away at the age of 66, on November 27, 1987.

On August 25, 1988, Bishop Lambert W. Gates, Sr. was elected as Mt. Zion’s third pastor and officially installed on December 11, 1988. A year after his arrival, he married Nancy Franklin, a daughter of the late Bishop Franklin. He was elevated to the bishopric in 1996 by the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith. Promising a significant impact upon the complexion of the apostolic movement in the city, his tenure has been marked with a great measure of success. By the mid-90s, Mt. Zion had outgrown the building on Prospect Street, and after months of prayer, searching, and planning, purchased a sprawling edifice located at 4900 E. 38th Street. The building, erected in 1951, was purchased from Christ Presbyterian Church. Mt. Zion's building on Prospect Street was sold to Prince of Peace Church of God in Christ. The final service on Prospect Street was held on April 27, 1997. A week later, on May 4, Bishop Gates led the congregation into its new 38th Street home. Consistent growth brought about the need for a second morning worship service, implemented in April 1998.

Today, more ministries than ever serve the needs of people in the church and community. Mt. Zion’s Loving Daycare opened its doors in 1999 and sponsors a before-and-after school program and summer camp. A food pantry provides free food to those in the church and community who have a need. A website team keeps viewers of the World Wide Web up to date on activities and events. Ministry leaders work diligently to build up and perfect their programs. The Leadership Council studies new ways to bring the church to a higher level of excellence. Radio, television, and Internet broadcasts enhance Mt. Zion's soul-winning efforts. In June 2005, a 1600-seat sanctuary was added to the existing building, enabling the Word of God to reach greater numbers of people in the community and beyond. As a part of that celebration, the Lillian V. Mason Sanctuary and the Bishop James O. Franklin Chapel were dedicated in honor of the former leaders. In October 2007, Mt. Zion became a sister church to Greater Apostolic Faith Temple in Detroit, Michigan when Bishop Gates assumed full leadership after the death of his father in the gospel, Bishop Nemiah Smith.

Now in its eighth decade of continuous service to God, church, and community, Mt. Zion is a classic story of the faithfulness of God in raising up a people to reach the world with the life-changing news of Jesus Christ.

The Archives

The Lillian V. Mason Archives was established in 1998 to collect and preserve materials documenting the history, beliefs, and development of Mt. Zion Apostolic Church.