Churches in Callahan

past and present

Mt Zion Missionary Baptist Church

on April 1880 Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church was organized by the Reverend C.J. Scott. In 1952, the Church was incorporated and renamed Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Institutional Church, Inc.. This landmark is the oldest African American Church in the City of Orlando. Through the years of existence, Mt. Zion has been served by outstanding spiritual leaders. During its tenure it became the first African American church to incorporate “community and political activism” in its vision and mission, particularly under the 20 plus years of leadership and service of the Reverenced Nathaniel G. Staggers.

Address: 535 West Washington Street, Orlando, FL 32801

Affiliation: Missionary Baptist

Website: mtzionmbic.org

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Circa 1880. Rendering of Mt. Zion’s wooden structure.

Source: Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Institutional Church.

Circa 1925. Missionary Society. Source: Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Institutional Church.

Circa 1939. Board of Deacon 1939. Source: Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Institutional Church.

Circa 1962. Spiritual Team surveying the building and progress of the new church.

Source: Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Institutional Church.

In 1962, Mt. Zion realized its dream to build its current edifice located on the northwest side of Washington and Chatham streets in Callahan. Mt Zion Missionary Baptist Institutional Church continues to serve as a role model for community leadership. Mt Zion endures in ministry giving glory to God and ministering to his people and all-in need. In 2007, Mt Zion was designated as an Historical Site by the City of Orlando.

Hurst Chapel A.M.E. Church

Address: 901 West Bentley Street

Affiliation: African Methodist Episcopal Church, Central Conference The Orlando District

HURST CHAPEL A.M.E. CHURCH was originally organized as the Community A.M.E. Church in June 1926 under the leadership of the Right Reverend John Hurst, Presiding Prelate, the Reverend S.A. Harris, Presiding Elder and the Reverend J.W. Jorden Paster. In 1950, under the leadership of the Right Reverend John Hurst culminated by growth of the church membership, Callahan neighborhood and church improvement, the church was rededicated and renamed Hurst Chapel A.M.E. at the current location on Beech and Bentley Streets

An annex to the sanctuary was built in 1968, addition upgrades were done in 1985. Hurst Chapel is member of the A.M.E. Central Conference-North Orlando District. Hurst Chapel offers contemporary sacred music and traditional hymns, and spirit filled reverent. “A church that opens its doors to all people, a family-oriented church, and a place where you would not allow your heart to be troubled.”

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Circa 1970. Hurst Chapel A.M.E. Men of the Church. — Hurst Chapel A.M.E. Men of the Church.

Circa 1926. Cornerstone of the renaming of the Community A.M.E. to Hurst Chapel A.M.E. Church by Rev. J W. Jordan. — Cornerstone

Circa 2020. Front entrance to Hurst Chapel A.M.E. — Front Entrance

Circa 2020. Side and Annex view of Hurst Chapel A.M.E. — Side View

910 Church of God

Livingston St Church of God was founded in 1922, also known as 910, is affiliated with the Church Of God, Cleveland Tennessee. With the commitment to adhere to the teaching of the bible, the spiritual leaders stress the importance for “Godliness.” Known for its community benevolent of giving back, 910 has provided Thanksgiving Blessing Baskets to District 5 residents, performed “Family Bible Study” and held spirit filled revivals through the years. “We are a fellowship of believers, made in God's image and called as disciples of Christ to share the Good News with everyone through learning, listening, praying, and working together actively to reach out to our communities. We are a place to believe, belong, and become.”

Address: 910 West Livingston Street

Affiliation: Church of God

Church of Christ at Westmoreland

Address: 215 North Westmoreland Drive

Affiliation: Church of Christ

The Westmoreland Drive Church of Christ is fully gospel grounded, Christ centered congregation of believers in the Birth, Ministry, Sacrifice and Completion of the Plan of GOD for Salvation of ALL Souls who believe in Jesus the CHRIST. Church of Christ Westmoreland is affiliated with the Churches of Christ, of independent Christian congregations in the United States and other countries. They share common beliefs and practices, but they exist separately from one another. They practice what the New Testament Christians did, and they only base their doctrine and practices on what is written in the Bible. The vision of Westmoreland Drive Church of Christ is to make an impact for God, here in Orlando, Florida by helping people understand the enriching messages of eternal hope given to us by Jesus Christ through His words and deeds. “Come just as you are - we'd love to get to know you better.”

Carter Tabernacle C.M.E. Church

In 1916, Pleasant Hill Colored Methodist Episcopal Church was built serving mostly citrus and domestic workers (maids and cooks). In 1924, the churchgoers moved to a new and larger house of worship on the corner of Westmoreland Drive and Bentley Avenue. Carter was renamed in 1928, to Carter Tabernacle in honor of C.M.E. Bishop Randall Albert Carter. Worshipers of the church and neighbors knew it was time for service by the ringing of the church bell from the bell tower.

The church served the Callahan community well through the strict bible teaching. Memories of the church included: children Sunday school, youth and adult choirs, Easter egg hunts for the neighborhood at the pastor residence located across from the church. As the church membership grew a new church was built. In 1976, Carter moved to 1 Cottage Hill Road in the Washington Shores community.

Address: 912 West Bentley Street

Affiliation: Christian Methodist Episcopal

website: cartertabernaclecme.com

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Circa: 1930. Kid’s Sunday School at Carter.

Circa: 1976. Newly built and christen, Carter Tabernacle C.M.E. Church, 1 Cottage Hill road in the Washington Shores community. — New Carter Tabernacle C.M.E. Church

Circa: 2018. Collapsed Roof of the former Carter Tabernacle C.M.E. Church.

Mount Olive A.M.E. Church

Historic Address: Washington and Bryan Street

Address: 2525 West Church St. Orlando, FL 32805

Affiliation: African Methodist Episcopal Church, Central Conference The Orlando District

Website: mtoliveorlando.com

In 1881, guided by faith and trust in the Lord, the historic Mount Olive A. M. E. gathered for worship. Land was donated by the James B. Parramore family. Growth of the church’s membership and black community inspired the spiritual leaders to purchase land and build a new edifice on the corners of Washington and Bryan streets. By 1950 the, church grew with the addition of an annex for church gatherings and a parsonage to accommodate the Pastor and his family.

Mount Olive A.M.E. 2020

In 1977, the growth of downtown Orlando west of Interstate 4 resulted in eminent domain for a Federal building. During planning and construction, services were held at St. Paul A.M.E. church on South Parramore. In 1979, The New Mt. Olive A.M.E. re-located to 2525 West Church Street in the Washington Shores Community.