In the year of 1917, the Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church was established, on Lucas Ferry Road, Athens,
Alabama. A group of Christian believers were allowed to meet at the home of Deacon John and Mother Emma
Roberts under a big oak tree in their front yard. The group would gather to discuss and plan ways to raise monies to
purchase land to build a church for which they had envisioned.

     In the summer of 1918, Deacon Willie Malone and others dissolved their membership with Little Ezekiel
Missionary Baptist Church and joined in with the Little Zion band of believers. This group of believers worked hard
and faithfully to make the vision a reality.

Sister Rossie Wilson spearheaded financial drives, along with some faithful co-workers. She passed out
envelopes to everyone asking that they collect money towards this goal. Other fund-raising activities were sponsored,
as well.

     Later that year, Rev. Burl Malone, Pastor of the Burl Primitive Baptist Church, where the Burl Cemetery still
remains, invited the group to meet at the church to have Sunday School. Sister Wilson became the Sunday School
teacher and Rev. D. Wilson became the superintendent of Sunday School. The group was also invited to attend
worship service every third Sunday.

    Sister Emma Roberts asked a friend, Rev. Joe Scruggs, Sr., to preach for the group every third Sunday in the
month. He graciously accepted the task, and the group worked more faithfully to accomplish the task.
As soon as the group had raised enough money, they purchased an acre of land from Dr. B. S. Kennedy for
fifty ($50.00) dollars in order to build. The gifted, skilled and knowledgeable men of carpentry constructed the first
Little Zion Church without the aid or assistance of an architect. Therefore, the free work paid off. The deacons were:
Sid Turner, Sterling Davis, John Roberts, Tom Pete Gilbert, Joe Jackson, Cal Moore, John Bibb, Willie Johnson, Danny
Malone, Willie Malone and Frank Malone.

    In the fall of the year, after the completion of the building, the members elected Rev. John McKinney as
pastor. Sister Rossie Y. Wilson served as the first secretary of the church. Many baptized converts were added to the
church. Although many members and friends passed on to the great beyond, progress continued with the guidance
from on high.

    Little Zion burned quite early after it was erected, but another church was soon constructed under the
leadership of Rev. John McKinney. Other ministers who pastored were: Rev. Allen Baity, Rev. Joe Scruggs, Rev. D.
Wilson, Rev. Henry Cables, Rev. Bruce Redus and Rev. P. N. Johnson, who also served as Field Missionary.

    In the year of 1938, *Rev. A. D. Hatchett, Sr. of Toney, Alabama was elected pastor of Little Zion. The deacons
were Eddie Coleman, Hampton Bowens, Pump Bledsoe, Richard McLin, Roosevelt Bibb, Thomas Bledsoe, Sr., Elgie
Malone, Napoleon Yarbrough, Campbell White, Lewis Grisby, Albert Malone and Elijah Gray, Sr. All are now deceased.

    In 1964, a new church was built under the leadership of Rev. Hatchett. He supervised the group and helped
to build through the guidance of God’s all Seeing Eye.

    In 1976, the church was renovated. The following deacons were appointed under Rev. Hatchett: *Ezell Caldwell,
*Albert Malone, Leo Fuqua, Sr., Thomas Bledsoe, Jr., James Peoples, Ellis Rainey, Robert Peoples and *Manuel Porter.
*Deceased Rev. Hatchett served faithfully for fifty (50) years. However, during his illness, Rev. Earl Pryor served as
assistant pastor. Rev. Hatchett served as Pastor Emeritus until his death. Many accomplishments were made, and we
will always cherish the memories of the late Reverend Alonzo D. Hatchett, Sr.

     In April of 1989, Rev. Earl Pryor was installed as Pastor of Little Zion. Under his leadership the following
deacons were ordained: Greg Fuqua, Renold Gray, and Donnie Malone. Rev. Pryor remained pastor until January of
1994.

    Today, we have been blessed with a spiritual shepherd sent to us by God. Pastor Damon T. Betts, a native of
the Indian Creek community (Huntsville, AL) and his wife, Ruby Tibbs Betts (Toney, Alabama) have diligently worked
to make Little Zion a better place to worship.

    Pastor Betts was installed as pastor on December 4, 1994. He has served faithfully for twenty-three years. The
church has grown in every aspect thanks to God and Pastor Betts spiritual leadership.

    Through Pastor Betts’ guidance and inspiration of the members, a new “Little Zion” was built. Being few in
number, what seemed impossible was made possible. Through prayer, sacrifice and commitment, the vision became
a reality. On May 31, 1998, Little Zion marched from the old sanctuary to the new. The church edifice was paid off in
2005. For this, we can again say our God is an awesome God.

    The Little Zion Church family, being obedient to God, took a “faith” walk and appointed Pastor Betts to full-time
ministry, effective June 1, 2006.

    At the end of July 2006, the church purchased one of its first vans.

    On June 4, 2007, the Pathfinders Summer Outreach Enrichment was established.

    The church is blessed to have four (4) choirs: The Mass Choir, the Male Chorus, the Women’s Choir, and the
Children’s Choir; Senior and Junior Missionary Societies; New Members orientation; Combined Senior and Junior
Usher Boards; Weekly Sunday School and Worship Service, Children’s Church and Wednesday’s mid-day and evening
Bible Studies, Annual VBS and revival services, and ministry.

    On July 16, 2016, after leadership training, five new deacons were ordained and their wives were appointed as
mothers: Dea. Willie Palmer (Sharon), Dea. Lewis Turner (Carolyn), Dea. Jesse Davis (Regina), Dea. Derrick Shoulders
(Sharon), Dea. Keith Harris (Daffney), and Dea. Derrick Malone (Vanessa).