From humble beginnings in a home on a summer day in 1901 Mt Olive Baptist Church stands as a testament to faith and perseverance. This wasn’t just any church gathering. It was the birth of a congregation. Members separated from Mt Carmel Baptist Church sought their own space for worship. They first met in John T Richie’s home. Then James Brown generously offered his front parlor.
Mt Olive Baptist Church initially started without a name. Rev Napper Hester named it The Sharon Baptist Church. The congregation quickly outgrew its home. In 1903 they purchased property. They remained there until 1912 when a merger with the Provident Baptist Church occurred. The church was then renamed Mt Olivet Tabernacle Baptist Church.
A significant step came in 1914 with the purchase of the current site. Church members actively participated in building the new structure. By fall 1924 the basement was ready for services. Rev Hester’s dedication was immense. He even said “I am not building this church for myself but for some young man who will come after me”. Sadly he passed away shortly after delivering an inspiring Easter sermon in 1925.
Rev Marshall L Shepard Sr took over as pastor. Despite a low salary he oversaw the completion of the building and the installation of a magnificent pipe organ. The Great Depression tested the church’s finances. Some members mortgaged their homes to save it. An interest-free loan also helped.
In 1967 Rev Shepard Sr passed. His son Rev Marshall L Shepard Jr became pastor. Under his leadership Mt Olivet Village was built providing senior housing. After Rev Shepard Jr’s passing in 2002 Rev Frank A Johnson served as interim pastor. In 2004 Rev Dr Tokunbo Richard Adelekan was appointed pastor. Later Rev Andre L Price became senior pastor building on the work of those before him.
Mt Olive Baptist Church has endured. It has persevered through poverty and the Great Depression. It has been a beacon of faith through the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. The church’s journey from a small gathering to its current standing is a compelling story of devotion. The legacy of those who built Mt Olive Baptist Church continues to inspire.