Historical Marker

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Historical marker location:
419 North Elgin Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma
( Marker is at the intersection of Elgin Avenue and Easton Street/McCutchens Circle, on the right when traveling north on Elgin Avenue.)

Mt. Zion Baptist Church was organized in 1909 in a one-room frame school building located in the 300 block of North Hartford under the Revered Sandy Lyons. Church Founders included Mr. Aaron Ellis, Mrs. Kate Bell Baldridge, Reverend Alexander Brown, Mrs. Georgia Brown, Mrs. Cornelia Dallas, Mrs. Mary A. Grayson, Mrs. Hannah Hale, Mr. Jim Hale, Mrs. Ella Bell Johnson, Mrs. Caroline Lollis, Mrs. Ella Suggs, Mrs. Ida Rector, Mrs. Jeanette E. Webb and Mrs. Nellie Brown Wharton. Soon after Reverend R.A. Whitaker assumed the pulpit at Mt. Zion, the congregation was forced to move from the school building with only three days notice. Hardships, discouragement and disappointment would not deter the congregation and a permanent church home was erected at 419 North Elgin.The first service was held in the new $92,000 church on April 4, 1921. Nearly one month later, the imposing structure of Mount Zion was reduced to ashes during the Tulsa Race Riot on June 1, 1921. It took twenty-one years, until November 23, 1942, for the original mortgage of $50,000 to be retired. Reverend J. H. Dotson immediately started a Building Fund for a new church. W. S. and J. C. Latimer were architects and members of Mount Zion. Graduating from Booker T. Washington's famed Tuskegee Institute, the two brothers completed the drawings and plans for the new church. Bit by bit, Mt. Zion's members paid for rebuilding the basement of the old church and a new church. On Sunday, October 21, 1952, dedication services were held in "The Church That Faith Built." Nearly one year later, Rev. Dotson's health began to fail and the Reverend G. Calvin McCutchen accepted the leadership of Mt. Zion. Dr. McCutchen, serving longer than any other pastor, led the church in paying off the mortgage of the church. Under his leadership numerous improvements have been made including a nursery, the J. H. Dotson Memorial Scholarship Fund was established for Mt. Zion college students, and the addition of a multi-purpose facility known as the Family Life Center. The Center was renamed to the G. Calvin McCutchen Sr. Family Life Center in honor of Dr. McCutchen in 1998

Baptist denomination churches religion
Audiobooks about the history of Oklahoma.
The first oil well in Oklahoma was drilled in 1897 in what is now Bartlesville. The discovery of oil in Oklahoma led to a boom in the state's economy, and it quickly became one of the largest oil-producing states in the country.
Oklahoma random facts
Tulsa County, Oklahoma's history dates back thousands of years, as it was originally inhabited by various Indigenous peoples, including the Osage, Creek, and Cherokee tribes. The land later came under the ownership of the United States government through various treaties and the forced removal of Indigenous peoples to reservations in the 19th century.

The modern history of Tulsa County began in 1882, when the Creek Nation sold a portion of its land to the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, leading to the establishment of a settlement known as "Tulsey Town." The town grew rapidly, attracting settlers and becoming a bustling center for trade and commerce. In 1901, Tulsa officially incorporated as a city, with oil being discovered in the area shortly after.

The early 20th century witnessed an oil boom in Tulsa County, transforming the city into the "Oil Capital of the World." The population skyrocketed, and oil barons built stunning mansions along what is now known as "Millionaire Row." The wealth generated by the oil industry fueled the growth of numerous industries, including aviation.

Tulsa County also holds a tragic chapter in its history. In 1921, it experienced one of the deadliest incidents of racial violence in U.S. history, known as the Tulsa Race Massacre. A prosperous African American community called Greenwood was destroyed, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people and the displacement of thousands. The event remained largely hidden from history until recent years.

Today, Tulsa County is a diverse and vibrant community, known for its rich oil heritage, vibrant arts scene, and growing economy. The city has made efforts to acknowledge and address the historical trauma of the Tulsa Race Massacre, including the establishment of the Greenwood Cultural Center and the ongoing process of searching for mass grave sites. Tulsa County continues to thrive as a regional hub of business, culture, and education.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

  • 1836 - The area that would later become Tulsa County is part of the Creek Nation's land in the Indian Territory.
  • 1836 - The Treaty of New Echota results in the forced removal of the Creek Nation to the Indian Territory.
  • 1861-1865 - The Civil War results in the Indian Territory being divided into Confederate and Union territories.
  • 1870s - The first settlements are established in the area, including Tulsey Town, which later becomes Tulsa.
  • 1901 - Tulsa becomes incorporated as a city.
  • 1905 - Tulsa County is established, with Tulsa as its county seat.
  • 1921 - The Tulsa Race Massacre occurs, resulting in the destruction of the prosperous African American community of Greenwood.
  • 1928 - The first oil discovery in Tulsa County leads to a boom in the oil industry and economic growth.
  • 1957 - The construction of the Arkansas River Navigation System allows for barge transportation, boosting trade and commerce in the area.
  • 1980s - Tulsa experiences an economic downturn due to the collapse of the oil industry.
  • 2000s - Tulsa undergoes revitalization efforts with the development of the BOK Center, Gathering Place, and other projects.