Our History
Mt Zion Baptist Church is a historic church located in one of the most picturesque locations in all of America. It is located on the shore of Lake Arthur inside Moraine State Park in Butler County. The man-made lake was created in the 1960's. Because the church cemetery was unable to be moved, the church was allowed to keep its privately owned land.

The church was originally formed in 1819,
and met in local farmer, Cadwalder Baker’s Barn in Muddy Creek Township. For the first years of its life, the church was known as Muddy Creek Baptist Church. It was moved in 1844 to the current location off Route 528, which at that time was a small rural town named “Isle”. In 1895, the name was changed to Mt Zion Baptist because of confusion with Muddy Creek Presbyterian Church. The present structure was built with bricks made from the “fire clay” found in Muddy Creek’s basin which ran right by the church. Baptisms were performed in the creek for over 100 years. There are records of the church breaking ice in the creek during the winter to baptize converts. Weather permitting, baptisms are still performed in Lake Arthur. For many years the church was heated with two pot belly stoves and lighted with candles and oil lamps. A few elderly members can still recall stables and hitching posts in front of the church which made up the old “parking lot.” There have been two major additions built on to the original structure making up the present building. There have also been many upgrades inside the building as well, including a slanted floor, balcony, indoor baptismal pool and church steeple with the original bell that still rings for every Sunday service. A unique broadcasting system projects songs and preaching out over Lake Arthur. We thank God for all the faithful servants who have stayed the course and kept these church doors open over many years of both ease and hardship. We also praise the Lord that He has used this church to draw many to Christ over its nearly 200 year existence and we pray that He will continue to do so for many years to come.