About Us
Mission Statement:
It is our mission is to be a Bible-believing, Christ-centered church, committed to lifting our community, converting sinners to Christ, and creating faithful disciples.
Vision Statement:
It is our vision to be an Acts 2 Church. We do everything for the Master. The five pillars of our work are Worship, Discipleship, Evangelism, Fellowship, and Ministry.
Core Values:
Our core values are live our faith, love our family, and lift our community.
Our Pastor
Rev. Dr. Marcus Allen
Dr. Allen served honorably in the United States Army for over 10 years. He completed three combat tours: two to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. Dr. Allen has received the Bronze Star Medal which is one of the highest military honors and as well as numerous other awards.
Dr. Allen is a graduate of the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University with a Masters’ of Divinity. Dr. Allen received his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Allen is the author of a new book, “I Got Next; 10 Essential Lessons for Effective Pastoral Transition.”
He is married to the former Terra Cook and God has blessed them with three beautiful children: Alexandrea, MeKiyah and Marcus Jr.
Dr. Allen has a tremendous desire for God's word coupled with a love for God's people. He is passionate about proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, making the Word of God relevant in the lives of believers, and building the Kingdom of God in the congregation and community.
Our Church
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Rev. Vernon Phillips of the First Baptist Church of Madison with the help of Rev. Elijah J. Fisher (Pastor of the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Chicago, IL), Rev. D. W. Hulbert (Secretary of the State Baptist Association), Rev. O.J. Fox (Milwaukee, WI), and Rev. George E. Duncan (Chicago, IL) organized the Mt. Zion Baptist Church as a mission. The church began as a Baptist Church above a harness shop at 118 East Washington Avenue. During a meeting in June, 1911 Rev. J. Pierce of New Orleans, Louisiana was called as the church’s first pastor. On May 27, 1914 the Mt. Zion Baptist Church incorporated under the auspices of the Wisconsin Secretary of State. Public records indicate that the rent for the initial site was $10 per month and services for a minister from Chicago cost $10 per Sunday plus room and board. The public records also indicate that meetings were held on a weekly basis in the lecture room of the First Baptist Church of Madison, located in downtown Madison.
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The first deacons of Mt. Zion Baptist Church were Robert White, Thomas Thornton, T. Hines, J. E. Adkins, John Davis, Henry Davies, L. E. Green, William Taylor, Emmett Williams, James Talioferro, James Jordan, Joseph Gentry, J. E. Guy, and Samuel Moore.
From 1921 to 1924 Rev. Zachary Smith served as pastor of Mt. Zion. Under his direction and guidance from the National Baptist Convention, Mt. Zion was recognized as a Baptist Church and plans were formulated to purchase property at 548 West Johnson Street as a church site. Rev. Eugene Cunningham served as pastor from 1925 to 1927. Rev. Joseph Washington, Sr. served as the senior pastor of Mt. Zion from 1927 to 1955 and continued to serve as an assistant minister until his death in 1985. Rev. Washington was well known in the Madison community as a humanitarian and for his commitment to civil rights. He had the distinct honor of being the first recipient of Madison’s newly established Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award in 1974.