Rev. Dr. Mozel Sanders was born in East St. Louis, IL on May 24, 1924. He moved to Canton, MS in 1929. His call to the ministry began in 1943. On the first Sunday in January, 1959 Pastor Sanders was appointed Pastor of Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church. Under his leadership, the church grew from a small one-room building with about 20 members to a newly remodeled church with over 500 members. Rev. Dr. Mozel Sanders was always interested in the needs of people and he worked diligently with the church and the community to meet the needs of the people in the community. He received numerous awards and achievements for his efforts. He is known throughout the state of Indiana for starting the annual Mozel Sanders Thanksgiving Dinner and as establishing Mt. Vernon as a beacon of light in the city of Indianapolis. The Thanksgiving Dinner feeds thousands annually and is celebrating 34-years. A park and a street have been named in honor of Dr. Mozel Sanders, Minister and distinguished community leader.