Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church became a center for religious, political, social, and civic life for Hammond's African American community. Established by black members around 1919, the small congregation grew under long-serving pastor Rev. William Davis. After years of fundraising, Mt. Zion dedicated the church here in 1949 and it continues to serve the community. Rev. Albert R. Burns, Sr. served from 1945-1998 and worked to challenge racial injustice. Under his leadership, the congregation advocated for civil rights, housing, and job opportunities for Hammond's black residents. In 1983, the Mt. Zion Housing Authority, a subsidiary of the church, helped open Mt. Zion Pleasant View Plaza to provide affordable senior citizen housing.