100 YEARS OF FAITH — Despite several name changes and building locations, Zion Greater Temple Church still possesses its same purpose, its same mission of worshipping and being filled with the Holy Ghost after 100 years in the community. The building, located at 500 N. Fifth St. in Steubenville, is currently led by Evangelist Clarissa Speaker. Special services will take place to recognize the church turning a century old on Thursday and on Nov. 1. -- Julie Stenger

STEUBENVILLE — Sunday mornings. The day of the week when people awake early, dress in their finest clothes and travel to pray and rejoice in the house of the Lord.

But as everyone knows, not all houses are the same.

The year was 1925.

Residents of downtown Steubenville were looking for a place for the community to go, a place where they would be welcomed and where they could come to be filled with the spirit of the Holy Ghost.

It was then that Brother Fred Blackwell and Sister Carine (Washington) Jamison began as members of what would become known as the Fire Baptized Holiness Church.

INTERIM PASTOR — Evangelist Clarissa Speaker has served as the interim pastor at Greater Zion Temple Church since June. Speaker will oversee the upcoming events which are planned for the church’s 100th-anniversary celebration this week. -- Julie Stenger

In regards to this particular structure, however, it was not your typical standard church building.

There was no steeple or bell tower of which to speak.

There were no padded pews or stained-glass windows. No choir loft or Sunday School rooms to recall.

No, this place of worship was simply a storefront situated in the downtown portion of the city on North Eighth and Kilgore streets.

One of the first churches to be originated among the Holiness churches, it would be led under the direction of Elder Calhune. People from throughout the city soon came in search of righteousness, hungry for the bread of life.

Little did anyone know at the time, but this storefront church would one day be celebrating its 100th anniversary. That celebration is scheduled to take place this week.

But first, we have to learn how the church even came to be. We need to discover how it managed to go through multiple name changes and through several different leaders before arriving at this point.

In 1926, the few members attending the Fire Baptized Holiness Church still longed to hear the truth, so they began searching for the right way to righteousness.

It was when these men and women attended a service that was being held by a visiting minister from Columbus, Elder Dieison.

After listening to his message, they were baptized by Dieison and eager to serve the Lord.

The small congregation began spreading God’s word throughout the community and soon, the church moved to a different location at 243 S. Sixth St. in downtown Steubenville.

Its new name became Holiness Church.

It was at this new storefront location where a few new members joined, including the family of sisters Margaret and Adie Carney. Margaret’s great-granddaughter, Clarissa, can recall visiting the church as a young girl. Today, Clarissa Speaker serves as the church’s interim pastor.

Speaker mentioned how she would accompany her family and sit in the house of the Lord to pray.

She explained during the days when her family first began coming to the church, there was a lot of segregation going on, noting how people did not want to rent to predominantly Black people.

That is why storefronts became the location for the start of the church.

“Some of the church’s first pillars included Florence Roseberry, Brother Hockshaw and Sister Hudson,” Speaker stated.

The church continued to grow and in 1928, the first minister began leading the services. Elder Richardson now served the church, which had moved once again to Eighth and Kilgore streets.

The position of pastoring later changed hands, and was led this time by Elder Lacey and then Elder Fisher.

The church was moved to yet another location.

This time, its site was located at 328 S. Sixth St. under a new pastor, Elder Wade, followed by Elder Cutris Gear.

It wasn’t until Elder Richard Young came to Zion Temple in 1979 that the congregation had a leader who would remain with the church for a long period of time.

Throughout the years, the church continued to change its name.

It became known as Greater Zion Temple and the Greater Zion Temple Church and Family Worship Center.

Following Young’s departure, Elder Floyd W. Johnson began pastoring the church, joined by his wife, Willa.

It was during this time when the church decided to move, yet again, purchasing the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church at 500 N. Fifth St. The church remains at this location.

“Under Elder Young’s leadership, our building was remodeled,” Speaker stated. “And, with his watchful eye, the church grew in leaps and bounds.”

Speaker added, “The Lord opened the door for him to pastor in Texas.”

Leaving a vacancy once again, Speaker explained Bishop Roy C. Dawkins began pastoring the church. For 38 years, he and his wife, Charlene, who was known by everyone as “the songbird of the valley,” along with their two sons, Anson and Eric, who were known in the community as “Dawkins and Dawkins,” made a profound impact on Zion and the city of Steubenville, according to Speaker.

“During that time, the sanctuary was filled with music,” she recalled. But a community choir formed and many young people were filled with the Holy Spirit.”

“After a short illness, in 2022, Roy Dawkins transitioned to be with the Lord,” Speaker added. “In 2023, Mark Boyd Sr. took over as pastor of Greater Zion. The music ministry was a big part of our service.”

Speaker commented on how Boyd had four children who were all anointed in the music industry.

“Unfortunately, he suffered an illness at the summer convention of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Inc. and was not able to return to the pulpit,” she noted. “He resigned in May and I began serving as interim pastor in June.”

Although the church has seen several pastors come and go throughout its 100 years, and despite there having been many name changes of the church itself, there is one thing which has always remained the same, Speaker stated.

“The name may have changed but the standard of holiness has always stayed the same,” she exclaimed.

Zion still has people attending its weekly services who attended the church when it was located on North Sixth Street all those years ago.

One of those members is Vinnie Edison Blackwell, whose uncle, by marriage, started the church.

Blackwell is one of the oldest members of the church, having transitioned from the former buildings that housed the churches throughout the years.

When asked when she first began coming to the church, Blackwell replied the year was 1958. She said the reason she has remained a member of this church is because of its anointing, the friendships formed and fellowship offered.

“It is because of the love they have shown us,” Blackwell added.

Today, the church has approximately 50 members in its congregation. There are fewer now than there were a few years ago, Speaker said, adding the number of members has fluctuated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that people have either moved away from the area or were older and died.

“We have been blessed with a fine congregation of young and old, but most of all, filled with the precious Holy Ghost,” Speaker said.

Those serving in the capacity of deacon include William Watson, the church’s oldest deacon; Larry Campbell, Rodney James, Roy Johnson, Tyrone Thomas and David Iverson.

Watson’s family were all members of Zion. Speaker stated when the church was located at 328 S. Sixth St., Watson’s family had a fire at their home and everyone had to come and stay at the church.

Church secretary and administrator Carrie Campbell has been with the church for years, as well.

Speaker has noticed many changes throughout her time with the church, saying the current building offers air conditioning and a furnace. Although she remembers the days when the congregation was given paper fans to use during Sunday services and a wood-burning stove heated the room.

“Our church still holds a standard of holiness but not as traditional as it used to be,” she said. “As far as clothing is concerned, we used to be very strict in how you dressed and the clothes you wore to church. But we have come to a place where you can put on what you have and worship the Lord.”

To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the church will kick off the celebration by holding a service at 7 p.m. Thursday at the church.

Bishop Marcus McIntosh will lead the program.

The church will hold another special service at 6 p.m. Nov. 1, which will be led by Suffragan Bishop James Agnew.

The church will hold its Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 2.

“We are also planning a card shower for Lady Dawkins who is leaving the area,” Speaker explained. She said cards are still be accepted and will be presented to Dawkins during the service.

In addition to its Sunday services, a mid-week service is held at 7 p.m. every Wednesday for those interested in joining.

Zion has a praise and worship team, along with performing outreach throughout the community.

Speaker said Dave and Melinda Iverson are heads of the outreach ministry.

The Iversons lead the visits to area parks and at nursing homes throughout Jefferson County.

The outreach at the nursing homes involve meeting in the community room, unless patients are unable to leave their room, after which church members will visit the patient’s room and have prayer with them.

“We take the church to the community,” Speaker said of the ministry. “We pray, sing and give testimonies and listen to others’ testimonies of how the Lord has brought them out of different situations. We have listened to testimonies of healing. We go to the North End Ballfield Park and support those who are there. When we set up and the music begins playing, people come over to the park or come out onto their porch and listen.”

Speaker explained when the outreach knows it will be at a certain location, the church will post the visit on its Facebook page to bring about awareness in the community.

Those interested in viewing the events and activities of the church can view its Facebook page at Greater Zion Temple Church.