Before 1860 David G Lett pastored Chicago’s leading Black Baptist church Zoar Church. This is the story of New Mount Olivet Baptist Church. Imagine the upheaval. Forty parishioners left forming Zion Baptist Church under Jesse Freeman Boulden. Another leader Rev Tansbury led the remaining members. Tansbury left for Canada. On December 22 1861 a momentous event occurred. Boulden united Zion and the remaining Zoar congregation. The new church was named Olivet Baptist Church. Boulden served until 1863. Nancy Green a founding member witnessed this remarkable unification. Richard DeBaptiste became pastor in August 1863. He served until February 1882. James Alfred Dunn Podd followed him. He served until his death in late 1886.
New Mount Olivet Baptist Church’s story is one of growth and influence. It became the largest African-American church in the United States. It was also the largest Protestant congregation in the world. The Great Migration fueled this expansion. In the 1920s thousands of Southern blacks relocated to Chicago. New Mount Olivet offered support and structure. The congregation swelled to 11000. By the 1940s membership reached an astonishing 20000.
The church’s impact extended beyond its walls. Its pastors played crucial roles in local national and state politics. In 1869 Richard de Baptiste organized Illinois’ first Colored Convention. This was a significant step in the fight for Black civil rights. Elijah John Fisher collaborated with temperance activists. They aimed to eradicate saloons and vice from Chicago’s South Side. Lacey Kirk Williams became a nationally prominent Republican. His life tragically ended in a plane crash en route to a GOP convention in 1940.
New Mount Olivet Baptist Church actively encouraged the Great Migration. Through the Bethlehem Baptist Association and the Chicago Defender it promised jobs and housing. This church’s story is woven into Chicago’s history. It reflects the resilience and faith of the African-American community. It’s a story of remarkable growth and profound community service. Sadly in recent years the church’s size has declined. The passing of Joseph Harrison Jackson in 1990 a pastor who served for 50 years marked a turning point. The church has faced challenges in regaining its former prominence. Yet New Mount Olivet Baptist Church stands as a testament to enduring faith and a powerful legacy. This church stands as a beacon of hope and a symbol of unwavering community spirit. Its history remains a vital part of Chicago’s narrative. Its impact continues to shape the lives of many.