First Zion Baptist Church, originally known as Zion Baptist Church, was organized in 1870 under the leadership of Reverend U.L. Houston. Its charter officers were Deacons Samuel Jones, Abraham Holmes, Stephney Maxwell, Jack Maxwell, Pulaski Richardson, Peter Law, Joe Quarterman, John McIver as sexton, and Peter Norman as clerk. Reverend U.L. Houston was one of 20 African American religious leaders who met with General Sherman in drafting Field Order #15, commonly referred to as “40 Acres and a Mule.” As a member of the Georgia legislature, he also introduced the legislation that established Georgia State Agriculture and Industrial College in Savannah, Georgia, now known as Savannah State University.