My Day: One Hundred Forty Years Old
Whereas, the Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Pastor Joe S. Patterson and the Greater New Zion Baptist Church on their 140th Church Anniversary Celebration; and
Whereas, GREATER NEW ZION BAPTIST CHURCH grew from a mission station located in Dallas.
The church was born in the hearts and minds of the women from the “Frog Town” Community, now Downtown Dallas. So many of these women were cooks and maids during this period, required to work on Sunday mornings which made the evening services a high point for their Sunday worship; and
Whereas, in 1874, the mission station in “Frog Town” became a new church called New Zion. The funds for the land and construction of the first permanent facility, were donated by a generous benefactor, who was concerned for her maid’s happiness; and
Whereas, in 1921, under the leadership of dedicated deacons and willing workers, eighteen pastors and forty-seven years later, additional property was purchased at Alamo and Wichita Streets.
In 1915, the growth pattern of Dallas was moving North forcing the membership to make the decision to move and build another building; and
Whereas, in 1919, New Zion purchased property on the corner of Boll and Guillot Streets. Deacons demolished the old building, saved the materials and built the basement which was used as the tabernacle for worship for a few years. In 1923, the seemingly long wait for the congregation to move upstairs into the new brick building finally came; and
Whereas, in 1949, New Zion Baptist Church was again without a pastor. A young Rev. Arthur Vance Voice from Louisiana was invited to speak one Sunday morning with a sermon entitled “Christians Like Fig Trees”. In April of the same year, Rev. Voice was called to pastor this congregation. The church immediately purchased a parsonage for the new pastor and his wife; and
Whereas, in 1953, the parsonage and church on Boll and Guillot Streets was sold and the funds applied to the new location at 2210 Pine Street, a predominately all white progressive area in South Dallas. With the new location, a new focus and beginning, the church was renamed GREATER NEW ZION BAPTIST CHURCH; and
Whereas, in 1990, after forty(40+)years, Pastor Voice started looking toward the new century with new leadership. In 1991, Pastor Joe S. Patterson preached his first sermon as Pastor on Sunday, October 27, with Pastor Emeritus A. V. Voice in attendance. Pastor Patterson remains our trusted and esteemed leader in his second decade.
RESOLVED, that the Senate of the State of Texas, hereby commend Pastor Joe S. Patterson and the GREATER NEW ZION Family for outstanding leadership, fortitude and the many contributions to the Dallas community and beyond; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for Pastor Joe S. Patterson as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
