On December 1,1887 the late Stevens Bryant with his few faithful Liberty Street members organized what was known then as the “Tin Top Church.” It was located on the corners of Liberty and Lafayette streets.

Succeeding the late Reverend Bryant, was the late Reverend Folsom. He pastored the little flock until the late Reverend Thomas Columbus took over the leadership. The late Reverend E.B. Fisher was the next called and elected pastor. The late Reverend Fisher served as pastor of the Tin Top Church for many years. While under the leadership of Reverend Fisher, the church was demolished and services were held at the home of the late Bro. Bud Peterson on Pine Street. In 1907, the little church moved into a house church on Edinburg between Lowerline and Fern streets. It was then called the First Zion Baptist Church. In 1908, the church moved to Pine Street near Olive Street. The pastor and his loyal members worked untiringly to raise funds to erect a church. In 1909, The First Church was built on the corner of Broadway and Olive Streets. It was built on cross ties and it was a small church, the size of one large room. This edifice was destroyed by fire and a new larger edifice was erected as a result of hard work and many brick rallies. The storm of September 1915 blew this building down and it was later rebuilt in 1916. The membership flourished upon the rebuilding of the church; however, it was destroyed by fire in 1922. Services were then held in the basement of the Danneel School for 3 months. During this time First Zion was rebuilt and moved into in April 1922. The Trustee and Deacon boards at that time consisted of Brothers Bud Crozet, Andrew Brodley, Paul Stevens, Alfred Molaison, and Charles Quillien. In November 1934, Reverend D. R. Fisher then in failing health passed from labor to reward.

In July 1934, the Reverend David Richard Fisher, who served as acting Pastor during his father’s illness, was duly elected by the membership. He was installed by the First District Baptist Association. During his administration the church death was paid and the note was burned. First Zion had become a beacon light in the community and the membership had grown substantially. In 1951, Reverend N. Norfin and Reverend C. J. Allen assisted Rev-erend Richard Fisher while in failing health. When Reverend Fisher was unable to service the congregation, he resigned and recommended the Reverend Dr. Norwood Thompson, Sr. to lead First Zion to higher heights. On the day 27th of August in 1951, Reverend Dr. Norwood Thompson, Sr. was elected by the majority of the membership and was installed under the auspices of the First District Baptist Association under the leadership of the late Reverend Dr. Paul Walker Raphael. Dr. Thompson faithfully pastored the flock for 32 years. Under his administration, the current building of First Zion Baptist Church was built. During Reverend Dr. Thompson’s ill-ness and subsequent death, Reverend Norwood Thompson Jr. was unanimously elected in April 1983 and served until 1999.

On December 4, 2000 Reverend D. R. Berryhill, Sr. was elected interim pastor and served in this capacity until June 8, 2001, at which time he was installed as pastor of the First Zion Baptist Church. Under the leadership of Pastor Berryhill, the First Zion family has reached new levels. The church underwent many physical upgrades. Pastor Berryhill also implemented many programs to benefit the Gertown Community, such as the Harvest House and First Zion Summer Camp. First Zion was also able to acquire properties located at 3332-34 Broad-way street. The late Tommy Varnado was instrumental in working with Pastor Berryhill to accomplish many of the acquisitions and upgrades. As a tribute to his memory, Pastor declared the 2nd Tuesday, Men’s Ministry Day, “The Tommy Varnado Hour of Power”, which is now held on the Saturday before the first Sunday at 9:00 a.m. On August 29, 2005, First Zion was once again destroyed. The church sustained major damages from the flood-ing of Hurricane Katrina. Despite the devastation of Hurricane Katrina Pastor Berryhill remained unwavering in his leadership of the congregation of First Zion. On October 8,2005, Pastor Berryhill and a few members of the congregation conducted the first worship service in New Orleans after the hurricane. The church was temporarily relocated to Washington and Tchoupitoulas streets. Under the administration of Pastor Berryhill, Ida Mae Berry-hill and Olie Hunter were named the mothers of the church. God bestowed favor upon the First Zion family by blessing the church with its second location at 2200 Jackson Avenue. In November 2006, Pastor Berryhill and the First Zion Baptist Church family dedicated this location back to the Lord.

Through determination and undying commitment of our beloved Pastor, in July 2008 the renovations to our storm damaged building in Georgetown was complete. On July 6,2008 the First Zion Family Worship Center held our first service in the newly renovated Sanctuary at 7201 Olive St. The church also took on the task to renovate the Mission Church (Willing Worker Baptist church) located at 5714 Eads St. along with the work of our Assistant Pastor, Dr. Hank Lawrence to bring the church back to Life by the hands of the members of the first Zion Baptist Church, led by Deacon Allen Scott.

Recently the church has purchased additional properties at 3338-3340, 3332-3334 Broadway, 3406 Broadway, 7210 Olive and 7206 Olive Street and on this property the church plans to build a multi-purpose center, youth and senior center, and fellowship hall. We are also in the planning stages of the development of a Child Day Care facility in this area on April 29th, 2017 we reinstituted the “Annual Gertown Festival”.

The First Zion Baptist Church continues to be a beacon light in the New Orleans community as we walk by faith and not by sight, 2 Corinthians 5:7.

In 2017 First Zion purchased additional properties located at 3414-3415 Pine Street

In March 2020 the world was hit with a deadly virus called the Coronavirus. Many Churches and businesses had to close their doors. God instructed Pastor D. R. Berryhill to keep doors open minimizing to 10 people, face masks and social distance. He continues to fulfill the mission of God by being a faithful servant and leader, preaching and teaching God’s word, sending aid to community with the help of several ministries of First Zion by hosting clothing giveaways.

In 2020 First Zion Baptist Church continues to Grow Stronger, Deeper, and Reaching Higher in God together! Isaiah 40:31 “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.