Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church, the vital congregation located in the imposing buff colored granite structure at 3771 Reading Road at N. Crescent, is 90 years old this year, and still standing strong.

And leaders of the historic church, which has produced at least 40 pastors, founded a thriving Christian school, and helped establish at least five vibrant churches in the Queen City, is inviting the community to a celebration September 19-24 and September 26 to commemorate what God has done.

“We’ve had a homecoming and a Bible conference, but never church wide celebration like this. like to mark history in decades, and because 90 years is such a milestone, I thought it was time for celebration,” explained District Elder Charles L. Smith, D.D., Zion Temple’s pastor.

The week-long celebration begins with Men’s Day service at 11 a.m. Sunday; nightly services with dynamic guest preachers at 7 p.m. on Sunday through Friday; enlightening Bible classes Wednesday through Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and Friday at 2 p.m., taught by Elder Smith; and a special Celebration Gospel Concert on Sunday, September 26 at 5 p.m. All events, including the Gospel concert, are FREE and the public is warmly invited to attend.

“We chose the theme `90 Years and Still Standing’ because over the years there were times when the church went through turmoil and things came against Zion Temple. But the saints held together and stood their ground and didn’t let the adversary, prevail – not because of people but because of the Lord,” Elder Smith said. A History of Accomplishment and Service

Zion Temple has a proud history of accomplishment and service to God and community. Elder Smith said the church is called “The Mother Church of the Pentecostal Faith in Cincinnati,” because it was the first Pentecostal church established in the city. It was founded in 1920 as First Pentecostal Church on 3rd St. in the West End --just 14 years after the Pentecostal denomination itself had begun in Los Angeles, as a result of the Azusa Street revival.

According to Elder Smith and church historians, at least 40 pastors have come out of Zion Temple, including several bishops. They include: Bishop L.C. Young, Elder Owen Carter, Bishop Robert McMurray, Bishop Alfred Nichols, Elder Robert Neal, Elder Roger Smith and Elder Stephen Brown. At least five churches have also “come out” of Zion Temple: Bethlehem Temple, Lighthouse Temple, Greater Emmanuel, and Abundant Life Faith Fellowship – in that the founders were once members of Zion Temple.

An integral part of Zion Temple’s history is the late Bishop Jasper Phillips, who led the church from 1950 to his death in 2003. Under his leadership, the congregation built a new church in 1959 in Walnut Hills; and when the church outgrew that building bought the current structure, the historic Isaac M. Wise Center, in 1973. In 1981, the mortgage was paid off on the current building, which was then valued at more than $3 million.

Zion Temple’s outreach to the community also features an active media ministry, said long-time member Evangelist Dorothy Williams. She said the church’s radio show “The Pentecostal Hour” has been on 1480 AM at 8:30 a.m. Sundays for at least 43 years. The “Zion Temple Hour” TV show has been on Cincinnati public access since 1987.

Two other jewels in the crown of Zion Temple are its growing Christian school and Phillips Bible Institute. Zion Temple Christian Academy, which began in 1983 with seven students, now has 120 students in Preschool through 6th grade, said Deacon Rodney Napier, Assistant Principal. To accommodate the growth, eight rooms - - gym and multi-purpose room, classrooms, offices and kitchen – were added to the school in 1993. The Phillips Bible Institute, founded in 1974 by the late Bishop Phillips is still thriving today – teaching the Bible, missions, computer classes and religious sign language. 90th Anniversary: A Joyous Celebration For Church and Community

When you pull it all together, the goals of the celebration are clear: to celebrate God’s enduring faithfulness, for fellowship among the people of God, but above all: winning souls and being a positive witness to the community, say event organizers.

“We want to bring back former members back into the fold, to see souls saved and the church filled,” Evangelist Williams said.

Rosetta Johnson, choir member who was Zion Temple’s church secretary for 24 years and youth chairperson for eight years, summed it up this way: “We just want to be that light to the community, that example to follow.”

And Deacon Napier repeated a well known quote from the late Bishop Phillips that still applies. “We’re still a `soul saving station.’ Come with us, and we will do thee good!”

For more information on the 90th Anniversary Celebration or any of its FREE activities, call (513) 861-2812 or log onto www. ZTFPC.com . Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church Milestones At A Glance

1920 – Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church founded on 3rd St. in the West End

1950 – Elder Jasper Jay Phillips appointed Zion Temple’s pastor by Bishop Clark

1959 – Built church at 3041 Gilbert Ave in Walnut Hills

1973 – Zion Temple purchases Isaac M. Wise Center and moves into current location at 3771 Reading Rd.

1974 - Phillips Bible Institute established

1981 – Zion Temple mortgage burned – value estimated at more than $3 million

1983- Zion Temple establishes Christian school – Zion Temple Christian Academy

2004 – District Elder Charles Smith established as pastor of Zion Temple