The Zion Baptist Church was organized and founded by the late Rev. Clem A. Harvey in November 1921 while pastoring the New Trenton Baptist Church in Emerson, Ohio. Reverend Harvey stated that God spoke to him in a dream telling him to “explore new fields”. The place of this new mission field was Waterbury, Connecticut. The first church was a converted garage near the corner of Bishop and East Hawkins Streets. The first members were three new converts, who were baptized at the first Baptismal ceremony being held on November 27, 1921, in the lake at Lakewood Park.

The first business meeting was held on December 3, 1921, in appreciation of his work, the church voted to elect Clem Harvey as their first pastor officially. By December 15, 1921, the membership had increased to fifty-two (52). Many had joined by letters and Christian Experience. Service was held in the converted building for three years until it was necessary to seek a new worship facility. The second building that Zion knew as home was a six-room house with an adjacent lot. After the necessary repairs were made to convert this space into a sanctuary, the first service was held in that building on September 3, 1924. Pastor Harvey remained with the church until 1928 when a change was made in the pastorate. At the time of his departure the church had grown to approximately 350.

A call was extended to Rev. Bonnie W. Crowder of Winding Gulf, West Virginia. Pastor Crowder led Zion successfully for twenty-two years. During his pastorate Zion was able to pay off its financial indebtedness. On August 20, 1944, Zion was able to burn the first and second mortgages of its worship facilities. Pastor Crowder served until December 1950, when the church decided that it was time to terminate their relationship. During that time, a position of Assistant Pastor was added at Zion, in which the Rev. Robert Harrell, a young man licensed at Zion served in. Rev. Harrell was asked to serve as acting pastor for the year of 1951.

Rev. Harrell served so well that year that he was selected to be Zion’s third and next pastor. God blessed Zion during those years spiritually, and notable church growth was witnessed. Because of such growth, it was decided upon that a larger sanctuary was needed. With many prayers and much faith, the present site at 137 Pearl Street was purchased on July 22, 1954, at a cost of $23,000. The debt was paid in full in a year’s time with the Building Fund Committee being chaired by the late Mrs. Essie Trotman. Pastor Harrell introduced the “Wells Church Fund Raising Organization” to the members, and they formulated a plan that was accepted by the church body. With a plan to build set in motion, the church began its sacrificial pledges. On June 1, 1963, the church voted to accept the bid of the Waterbury Construction Company and on Sunday, June 24, 1962, groundbreaking services were held. The debt amounted to almost $250,000.

Pastor Harrell, members, friends, and many distinguished guests marched on June 2, 1963, from our old building at 21 East Hawkins Street to our present building joyously singing, “We’re Marching to Zion.” The cornerstone laying was held on June 16, 1963, by the State and Local Masons. Dedication services for the great accomplishments of Zion and Rev. Harrell were held on June 6, 1964, for the successful completion of its building project. Rev. Harrell’s noble leadership lasted through to the last Communion of 1968, which he administered on the First Sunday. Rev. Harrell unexpectedly passed on December 27, 1968. On October 16, 1969, the mortgage of our present building was paid in full to the Colonial Bank and Trust Company; as a result, another mortgage burning ceremony was held the following week on October 25. A bronze plaque was unveiled and installed in the memory of our visionary who made this building project a success, the late Rev. Robert H. Harrell.

Rev. Dr. Stanley P. Petteway accepted the call to become pastor of his home church on November 22, 1969. He officially began his pastorate on January 1, 1970. He is easily the most celebrated and revered pastor in all of Zion’s 102 year history. Under his administration many outstanding and cutting edge advancements were made. The first radio and television ministries were added by Dr. Petteway. Zion became the first church in Waterbury to broadcast its services on the radio. During this time, many capital improvements were made as well. For the first time in Zion’s history, we were able to purchase central heating and air conditioning systems. We also were able to purchase an adjacent lot next to the church, which now houses a partial parking lot and our transportation garage.

Many significant changes were made at Zion during the Petteway years. Intergenerational gaps were bridged, social programs were added, and Zion became a tithing church in November 1985. In September 1988, Children’s Hour became a part of Zion’s worship service with their theme being, “Say No to Drugs in Jesus’ Name”. During this time, a nursery was also started under the leadership of our Sunday School Ministry. A social action ministry began from this ministry came about Mission “I’m” Possible—a ministry focused on helping those addicted to narcotic drugs recover and claim their lives back. Under Petteway, evangelism was a major staple of his ministry. Therefore, he introduced a 100-hour Evangelism Class; in which every member and leader was encouraged to attend. On November 14, 1992, Zion had the pleasure of dedicating the Fellowship Hall in honor of Pastor Petteway; which is now known as the S.P. Petteway Fellowship Hall.

On October 11, 2008, Pastor Petteway announced his retirement effective at the end of the 2008 calendar year. With the pending retirement of Pastor Petteway, Deacon Vernon Brown, chairman of the Deacons ministry led Zion through a transitional period with no pastor. During this time without a pastor, the church decided that the Church’s bylaws and constitution needed to be updated, a process that took them 3 years to complete. During this time, without a pastor, Zion relied on their associate ministers and seminarians from Yale Divinity School for pulpit supply.

On March 31, 2012, the members of Zion called Rev. Calbert R. Brantley as Pastor. He officially began as pastor on June 3, 2012. Under the leadership of Rev. Brantley, Zion was able to progress and move forward on some fronts. Inspired by God a vision for Zion was birthed based on Acts 2:40-47, “Total Life Commitment”. Under his leadership, ministries were added to the church—namely the In-reach Ministry, responsible for planning and executing all events that Zion held. Reverend Brantley was responsible for many capital improvements including new windows and doors at the main entrance, and siding and a new roof on our parking garage. He also was responsible for putting new kitchen cabinets and flooring in our Hopkins Street Center. In March of 2018, Reverend Brantley gave his official 90-day notice and left Zion in June of that year.

After Reverend Brantley’s departure, Rev. Antwaun Richardson became our interim pastor on the third Sunday of June 2019. He served well as Interim and as a result was voted in as our sixth pastor in Zion’s history on October 17, 2020. Rev. Richardson is the youngest pastor elected to serve at Zion in its 102 year history. He was officially installed as pastor on August 7, 2021. In Pastor Richardson’s short tenure at Zion, we have witnessed spiritual, physical, numerical, and financial growth. Of the many things that have we have accomplished under his tenure has been a sanctuary renovation, a project that totaled over $50,000. We have increased our operational staff—adding a sound engineer, audio/visual technicians, and a bass and lead guitarists to our music department. Pastor Richardson adopted the mission statement: “Loving God, Loving Self, Loving One Another, and Making His Love Known” as a reminder to all of us that we are to be loving change agents in a world that has lost its ethos of love. Zion continues to be a beacon of hope in the Greater Waterbury community housing multiple Alcoholic Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous groups throughout the week. We look forward to increasing and expanding our reach to be the church that God called us to be, and to continue making an impact for the Kingdom of God.