1893-1970
Minnie E Stith was a founder and pastor of Zion Holy Church in Newark for 35 years, making her likely the first woman to build a church from the group up in Newark.
The church had various locations including South Orange Avenue and Mulberry Street. Minnie became pastor in 1934.
She purchased 2 buildings on Camden Street in 1959 and helped raised money, opening the new church building in 1961.
She was affiliated with the Home and Foreign Ministries of Mt. Sinai, Unity Prayer Band, and the Women’s Evangelistic and Missionary Workers. Born in Virginia, she was in Newark by 1934, and lived there the rest of her life.
Bibliography
“Mrs. Minnie Stith, 77, pastor of Zion Church” Star Ledger Jun 17, 1970
“Mrs. Smith, Led Church” Newark News Jun 17, 1970 [mispelled]
Memory and photo from William Michael Barbee: https://archive.org/details/Barbee001/mode/2up
1940 Census