Olive Baptist Church history

In 1909, the church purchased and paid for a parsonage on Sixth Avenue between Strong and Desoto Streets.

J.C. Calloway and Mrs. It was in this kitchen on May 25, 1917 that the Mission had its humble beginning.

The Lord continued to bless the Mission and despite pressure and opposition from other ministers in the city, in 1919, the Mission reorganized as a church and was accepted into the Connecticut Baptist Convention and named the Mount Olive Baptist Church.

Olive Baptist Church was organized in 1923 under the leadership of the late Pastor James Hamilton, inside the gates of Semet Solvay Company Plant in Tonawanda, New York.

In 1924, under the leadership of Pastor Clinton N. Polite, the Church moved outside the company gates, at which time Pastor Polite was called to pastor Tremont Temple Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York.

Forever growing, Mount Olive experienced opposition and its first split came approximately 4 years later in 1928, and the Hopewell Baptist Church was established.

Pastor Merritt died in the early 1930’s.

In April of 1932, the church sent the Pastor to the State Convention.

On his return, he informed the congregation of his invitation to the 1933 Session to convene at Mt.

Worship services continued monthly until November 27, 1938, when, under the leadership of Pastor Earl Pounds, the church voted to begin half-time preaching.

The first service was held on the first Sunday in May 1941, with approximately five families: the Pitts, Collins, Hatchetts, Bentons and Robinsons.

In 1944 because of the redevelopment and the rapid growth, Mt.

Under his leadership, in June 1949, the church established a building fund (10% of the regular offerings) for a future building program.

On April 4, 1952, the church voted (41-yes; 23-no) to “go to full time work,” effective July 1, and to call its pastor for an indefinite period of time (ending the 64-year practice of calling the pastor on a yearly basis). On this same date, the church unanimously called Bro.

In October 1954 (six years after the building fund was established), construction on a two-story educational addition began.

Later, the church moved to a white brick sanctuary at 415 North West Street, and in 1958, the sanctuary was rebuilt.

Leading the flock that had grown to a mass of over 400 members the Reverend Goode .S. Clark Sr., the first Pastor and the founder of Mount Olive Baptist Church, succumbed to the call of the Master on January 6, 1960. “Good and faithful Servant, Well Done”

Deacon Willie F. Alexander came to Mount Olive January 29, 1965 from Antioch Baptist Church in Cuthbert, Georgia, one of several children guided by two strong God fearing parents.

On October 9, 1966, our present Pastor, Rev.

In 1970, the property located on North Davis Street was purchased for the new sanctuary.

Photo of Mount Olive Baptist Church in 1972 from the Arlington Public Library's online Arlington Black History Community Archive.

In 1976 the Church was formally incorporated, with more than 400 members.

He came to Mount Olive in 1978 and served as the Assistant to the Pastor to three Pastors.

On February 21, 1980 Mount Olive opened its Day Care Center.

Olive moved to 629 E. Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, New York where Pastor Benton served until January 1981.

Reverend William M. Nickerson, a native of Welch, West Virginia was the third Pastor called in 1982, to lead the flock of the Mount Olive Baptist Church.

Pastor William Gillison was given a vision from the Lord in 1984 to build a new edifice to the Glory of God.

Upon serving faithfully and dutifully Deacon John T. Reed made his final climb up Jacob’s ladder on July 29, 1985.

On November 13, 1986 the Lord called our founder and pastor by name and Reverend William A. Mack, Sr. answered.

Construction began at 301 West Sanford on November 1, 1987.

Deacon Gary Lee a native of New York, Deacon Lee joined Mount Olive in April of 1988 under the leadership of Rev.

The first service in the new sanctuary at 301 West Sanford Street was held March 19, 1989, with the Ribbon Cutting and Entrance Celebration on April 9, 1989.

He is a native of Hartford, Connecticut and joined Mount Olive Baptist Church in 1991 under the leadership of Rev.

Olive members ended in February 1992 – a staggering 43 years and 5 months after it began.

On August 15, 1995, the church opened Metro Christian Academy a school dedicated to training young people in Bible truths along with reading, writing, grammar, spelling, heritage studies, mathematics, foreign language, science, music, computers and social studies skills.

Under his 50 years of leadership, the church grew to over 12,000 members, moved to its current location at 301 West Sanford, launched an extraordinary number of outreach programs, and celebrated its centennial in 1997.

The Mount Olive Federal Credit Union opened January 11, 1999.

The first tenant moved into the housing project in January, 2000.

The church authorized the purchase of a second van on March 25, 2001, and the purchase of a mini-bus a several years afterward.

Reverend Jenkins was appointed First Vice-President of Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc., in 2007.

On Sunday May 25, 2008 God Allowed Second Olivet to be able to march into its newly built home.

Because of his efforts, in June, 2010, the Lackawanna City School District honored Reverend Watkins by inducting him into its prestigious High School Wall of Fame.

The first meeting of the Pulpit Search Committee was February 23, 2012.

He transitioned from Lackawanna, New York to Bloomfield, CT where he preached a dynamic sermon on December 31, 2013.

Pastor Watkins was installed as the fifth pastor on March 24, 2014.

On June 28 , 2015 Pastor Cyrus L. Thornton was installed as pastor of Second Olivet.

On April 24, 2016, Mount Olive Church Ministries held its Mortgage Burning Celebration Service for the completion of this vision.

Trustees Willie F. McCorvey and Ronald Mangum provided oversight for the project which was completed in June 2017 by Mr.

Alan retired from his secular career, and on April 1, 2018, he began serving as Mt.

Finally, in 2019, she began writing music that reflected her struggles as a Black woman and country artist, including What Are You Gonna Tell Her? and Black Like Me.