Mt. Zion Pentecostal Church

Church History

Elder Sarah Yancey was a faithful minister of God who was married to George Yancey. They resided in Richmond. In July1925, God told Elder Yancey to come to Norfolk and establish a true Holy church. She along with her loving husband prayed for God’s leading and HE showed her the place and how it would look. During a service in Richmond, the sum of $100.10 was raised. During that time, that was a large sum of money. This afforded her the opportunity to obey God‘s calling. She and her husband came to Norfolk and began to look for the place to establish God‘s Church. When they came to the corner of Jefferson and Nicholson streets, she said to her husband “There it is George!” They immediately made plans to rent the store front building with a pot belly stove for heating. The church was named Mt Zion Pentecostal Holiness Church. Once things were in place, they opened the doors for worship services. Souls were saved and the church began to grow. Years later the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority claimed the building and the church had to move.
Elder Yancey went to be with the Lord and left in her place Elder Pinkie Batten, the Assistant Pastor. God directed Elder Batten to build a church on the corner of Wall Street and Corona Avenue. While the church was being built, services were held in the home of Brother John and Sister Etta Wooten. The church was completed in 1952.
Under the leadership of Elder Batten the church prospered beyond measures. Elder Betsy Arrington became the Assistant Pastor, large families joined, and men were active in the church. There were musicians, actors, athletes, preachers, teachers, YPHA services for the youth, cook outs, celebrations of all kinds and more. Many have come and gone since then. Some passed away and some left to start a ministry elsewhere.
When Elder Batten and Elder Arrington left to be with the Lord, Elder John Wooten was voted by the members to be the Pastor, Sunday May 11, 1975. He was installed as Pastor in September, 1975 to carry on the works of the Lord. He was a humble leader who encouraged education, proper care of health and hygiene, humor as well as preaching God’s Word. Under his leadership, God has blessed the church and his field ministry. Several members left the church to begin ministries. A church has been established in North Carolina, A Mega church in Washington D.C and one in Georgia. People have been healed, saved and delivered and other ministries have developed locally.
Now 86 years later, we have Elder Harris. We will continue to have new members, baptisms, marriages and funerals. We will continue to fast, pray, worship and serve. God started this church, anointed these grounds, and said He will never leave us nor forsake us. We Trust in Him.