Zion Hill MBC Hosts ’66th Church Anniversary’

On Sunday, May 18, 2025, Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church hosted its “66th Church Anniversary Celebration,” at 1825 West Hampton Ave. with a theme of, “We will never forget.” – Deuteronomy Ch.6:1-12.

The history of the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church is rare among local churches as it organized in a private residence. It is the only Black Church in the City of Milwaukee to build three sanctuaries from the ground. The inception of the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church is the seed planted by the Holy Spirit in the heart of the late Reverend Obie B. Sartin, Sr. Reverend Sartin had a biblical based motive for organizing the Church.

Organized by Rev. Obie B. Sartin, Sr. on May 10, 1959, this “mission” was organized into a “church” with just nine chartered members and was held at the north side home of the Sartin’s residence, at 2771 North 18th Street. This effort was sanctioned and approved by the Wisconsin General Baptist State Convention. The church was so named, “Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church,” and proudly called as its first pastor, the Reverend Obie B. Sartin, Sr. His wife, Mrs. Synovia Sartin, became the First Lady.

On November 8, 1960, Zion Hill purchased a vacant lot at 1501 West Ring Street. On December 8, 1960, exactly one month after the lot was purchased; ground was broken for this structure. Joyously and triumphantly, on the morning of June 4, 1961, Pastor Sartin and the devoted membership of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church proudly marched from the original location at 2771 North 18th Street to the newly built edifice at 1501 West Ring Street.

After worshiping at the 1501 West Ring Street location for some 17 years, Pastor Sartin realized that again, through the blessings of God, the membership had outgrown the facility. On December 7, 1976, the church acquired two vacant lots located at 1825 West. Hampton Avenue. The pilgrimage of the congregation, led proudly by Pastor Sartin into the new house of worship, took place on October 8, 1978. Pastor Sartin continued to lead the congregation until his passing on July 21, 1985. Later that year, Reverend Russell B. Williamson was called to pastor. As the church continued to grow, the building expanded to occupy the second lot on 1825 West Hampton Avenue and continues to worship at this location today. Regretfully, July, 1996, Mother Synovia Sartin, the beloved wife of the late Reverend Obie B. Sartin, Sr. and the First Lady Emeritus of the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church passed away. Rev. Russell B. Williamson and his wife Jenell Williamson, now serve the Zion Hill community.