New Zion Baptist Church

The New Zion Baptist Church of New Orleans, Louisiana was founded in 1921 by Pastor R.C Matthews and forty-five members. The church gained prominence under the leadership of Reverend A.L Davis Jr. Reverend Davis was a Civil Rights activist like many other New Orleans pastors and wanted his New Zion Baptist Church to make a difference. Under his leadership the church created the Southern Christian Leadership Conference whose primary mission was to organize protests against segregation. The SCLC became a permanent organization on February 14, 1957 through the vote of ministers and activists. Renowned Civil Rights leader and activist Martin Luther King Jr. led the SCLC as President. The New Zion Baptist Church held group meetings, fundraisers, strategy meetings, voter registration drives, economic planning sessions, and counseling for non-violent strategy. Since pastors were the voice behind the protests, they were often targeted by police and arrested.

In order to preserve the memory of the historic meetings held by Martin Luther King Jr. and the SCLC during their fight for equal rights, Felicity Redevelopment Inc. has acquired two vacant lots at La Salle and Second streets, across the street from New Zion. They are partnered with Tulane City Center to design a commemorative pavilion, green space and public gathering area. The current pastor at the New Zion Baptist Church is Dr. C.S. Gordon Jr. 

Atkinson, Lori. New Zion Baptist Church, New Orleans Historical. Accessed July 28th 2020. https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/1374.

Fisher, Bernard. New Zion Baptist Church, The Historical Marker Database. July 14th 2016. Accessed July 28th 2020. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=95835.

Reckdahl, Katy. Prominent civil rights organization was founded in New Orleans 60 years ago this week, NOLA.com. February 11th 2017. Accessed July 28th 2020. https://www.nola.com/news/article_596e8ef0-c506-5fba-9d0a-c1532903ca1f.html.

Civil Rights Trail. Accessed July 28th 2020. https://civilrightstrail.com/attraction/new-zion-baptist-church/.