Celebrating 152 Years
Words Codi Chen | Photos Baptiste Despois
For more than a century and a half, Mt. Zion Baptist Church has stood as a steadfast symbol of faith, community, and perseverance in East Austin. Founded in 1873 under Reverend Jacob Fontaine, the church began humbly in a small settlement called Williamson Creek. When a flood destroyed the building a decade later, members held services in their homes until a new structure could be built. That resilience, rooted in faith and fellowship, still defines Mt. Zion today.
Reverend Jacob Fontaine, a formerly enslaved pastor, publisher, and community leader, founded Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 1873. A visionary in early East Austin, he established churches, schools, and one of Texas’s first Black newspapers. His legacy of faith, education, and self-determination still anchors Mt. Zion’s mission today.
From its early beginnings to its home now on East 13th Street, Mt. Zion has weathered change while remaining an anchor for generations of East Austinites. Under the guidance of visionary pastors, including the late Rev. Dr. G.V. Clark, who served for more than 50 years, the church became a place of worship and a cornerstone of service, education, and community.
Now, as Mt. Zion celebrates its 152 years in East Austin, Rev. Dr. Daryl Horton leads the congregation into a new chapter, one that honors the past while looking toward the future. “For me, it’s an incredible privilege,” Rev. Daryl says. “As a native East Austinite, it’s amazing to be part of something with such deep history. We were placed here to impact our community, and we’re still doing that work today.”
He speaks with pride about the congregation’s perseverance through times of hardship and transformation. “There have been so many changes in East Austin. People and businesses have come and gone, but Mt. Zion has remained. That says something about our strength and purpose.”
That continuity stems from Rev. Dr. Clark’s steady leadership. “Dr. Clark made sure Mt. Zion stayed true to who we are,” Rev. Daryl explains. “We represent not only the church but also the African American Baptist tradition—the faith and culture that helped shape this side of town. Many of our members no longer live in East Austin, but they come back so their children understand that heritage.”
While Mt. Zion honors its history, the church remains deeply engaged in the present. “We serve our community in many ways,” Rev. Daryl says. “We have a food pantry, clothes closet, and partnerships with organizations like Saffron Trust Women’s Foundation to provide meals and resources. We help families facing incarceration, support reentry efforts, and offer mental health resources through our health ministry.” The church also provides rental and utility assistance, employment support, and outreach to the unhoused.
“We don’t try to do everything ourselves,” he adds. “We partner with people and organizations already doing good work and help them reach more of the community.”
For Rev. Daryl, faith and action are inseparable. “Jesus told his disciples to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit those imprisoned. That’s what we’re called to do. The Black church has always played a vital role in social and civic life, and that’s still true today,” he muses.
As the church celebrates its history, Rev. Daryl is also celebrating his 30th year in ministry. “I felt a call from God as a young man,” he explains. After years of service and following his wife’s military career, he returned to East Austin and joined Mt. Zion’s youth ministry. By 2008, he left secular work to serve full-time, working alongside Rev. Dr. Clark until becoming senior pastor in 2021.
“It’s a joy to serve where I grew up,” Rev. Daryl says. “My parents are still here, and it feels like coming full circle. I hope the work we’re doing continues the narrative of what it means to exist, serve, and thrive in East Austin.”
For more than a 150 years, Mt. Zion Baptist Church has been a beacon of faith and perseverance. And today, God’s light and love continue to shine on their congregation, guiding East Austin forward, one act of service at a time.
Contact:
(512) 477-8080
2938 E 13th St.
mtzion-baptist.org
