HISTORY

Church History

MOUNT ZION A SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH VALLEY HEAD, ALABAMA
The Valley Head Baptist Church was constituted in 1845, the same year the Southern Baptist Convention was organized. From 1845 to 1898 the church was named Mount Zion. The churches in this area were members of the Cherokee Baptist Association until 1905 when the DeKalb County Association was organized. 

Early worship services were held in a frame building that was also used for the school on the hill across from the present city park. Brother C. Y. Culberson wrote a brief history that was printed in the DeKalb County Herald on December 6, 1921. Brother Culberson stated that an effort was made in the year of 1886 to agree on moving the church to town, but the matter fell through. It seems that from his account of the consideration that they discussed, they were without a building for some time. He says, "Finally, after much wild effort we settled on the old site and rebuilt."

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In 1892, Rev. S. R. C. Adams was called to the care of the church. During the years of 1894 up to and including 1905 we find the following names as pastors, A. J. Noblet, G. W. Carr, Thomas Hartline. In closing his history, Brother Culberson said, "The abiding faith of a few finally led them to a beautiful new home in the town of Valley Head; which is a living monument of the fact God works in a mysterious way his wonders to perform." 

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The minutes of the Cherokee Baptist Association lists the church Mount Zion up to and including 1897. That year the Pastor was Rev. T. W. Hartline, the clerk was George Karr (Carr) and membership was 44. The 1898 Minutes listed Valley Head Church with the same pastor and clerk with a membership of 43. One letter had been granted. They had services two Sundays a month. 

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The 1920 letter the DeKalb Association shows that Rev. W. P. Kelley was pastor. The church membership was 47. Sunday School enrollment was 63, WMV enrollment of 18. The offering given from June to October was $187. $112 was spent on local work and $75 on convention causes. Copied form loose papers at Valley Head Town Hall 

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The minutes state that, on Sunday Morning, December 4, 1921, the opening services were held in the sanctuary of the new brick work. Dr. A. J. Dickerson preached a beautiful sermon on “Touching the Tassels of Jesus’ Garments.” 

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On the first Sunday of July, 1923, the members met at 3:00 p.m. for the purpose of organizing a graded Sunday School. At this meeting the also appointed a committee of three to look after strangers who came to the church. Committee members were C.Y. Culberson, L. Jones, and Mrs. Maxwell. 

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Rev. A.L. Alexander had been called in February as pastor for ½ time. Worship was held on the 1 st and 3 rd Sundays. His salary was $75 per month. October 1924, The Alabama Baptist paper was put into the church budget and sent to the head of each family. Bro. Alexander served until September 1932. 

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Rev. V.M. Stedham of Decatur was called as the first full time pastor on November 29, 1932. His salary was $900 per year. 

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In the 1950’s an educational building added that included 6 classrooms, fellowship hall, kitchen, and restrooms. The monthly business meeting was changed from Sunday evening after the worship service to Wednesday evenings in July of 1953.
In November of that year it was decided that a supper would precede the monthly business meeting. Bro. T.C. Nelson was pastor at this time.

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The Lord’s Supper service was purchased in 1964. Mrs. E.I. Crumley hand made the two table clothes that are used with the service.

A pastorium was purchased in November of 1947. The house was near Highway 117, south of the school. The present pastorium was purchased in April, 1966. Rev. W. Claude Millican and family were the first to live in the new home. 

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Since March 1962 we have has a joint 5th Sunday Night Service with the Valley Head Methodist Church and a few years later the Winston Memorial Presbyterian Church joined in these services.

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In August of 1986 the beautiful curved pews were refinished and seats were upholstered. The church sanctuary walls and ceiling were redecorated and new light fixtures installed in 1992-93. A special Dedication Service was held in February 1993. 

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The church called Dr. Charles Jenkins as pastor in the Spring of 1994 and he served until October 2004. Rev. James Young was interim from December 2004 until April 2005. Dr. Zach Richards was called as pastor in May 2005 until June 2007. Valley Head native son, Rev. Darrell Haney began serving as pastor in December 2007 and served until his retirement in June 2023. Rev. Michael Young was called as Transitional Pastor in July 2023 and then called as permanent Pastor in July 2024.