History of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church

 

The Beginning:

Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church originated on January 15, 1909, at the home of the Sister and Brother Henderson Harris who lived on the East side of Joliet Street on Edwards Street.  The meeting was held for the purpose of organizing Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church.  In attendance were the following: Dr. & Mrs. O.L. Ballenger; Joseph Carter, Clifford & Lillian Dyer, Charles Fuller, Cynthia Fuller, Minnie Fuller, Betty Grady, George Grady, Henderson Harris, Courtney Harris, Jerry Lindsey, Mattie Pointer, James Pointer, Penny Posey, Gus Thomas, Dollie Thomas, Lucy Scott, Virginia Smith, William Smith and Alberta Wilson.  Meeting and first services were held in the homes of the members.  Shortly after that, the membership relocated to Lassers Hall on Bluff Street, where they remained for a year.  During that Reverend T.C. Fleming was called as the first pastor and served until 1911.  The Sunday School, Missionary Society, B.Y.P.U. and Choir were organized.  Property was purchased at 111 Chicago Street, and an existing frame building was remodeled to become the Church.

In 1920, the Reverend Oliver Williams was called as the third pastor and served until 1927.  Pastor Williams enriched the church spiritually, numerically and financially.  The basement of a new edifice was erected.  Pastor Williams was succeeded in 1928 by Reverend L.A. Weaver who served until 1929.  In 1930, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church called Reverend R.A. Hayden to pastor, and he served until 1935.  Following the stewardship of Pastor Hayden, the Reverend Charles G. Holston served as pastor and served until 1950.

Between the great depression and World War ll, the Church purchased property located at 116 South Chicago and built an auditorium, purchase carpeting, and grand piano.  Struggling between economic constraints of the Great Depression and watching their young men go off to war, the Church managed to establish Christian Education classes, introduced string and wind instruments in worship services, and would periodically broadcast on the local radio stations.  During WW II, the Church also housed and staffed a State of Illinois accredited nursery school. 

In 1951, the Church called the Reverend Alva M. Varnado as its seventh pastor and he served until 1970.  Under Pastor Varnado, the church established a Board of Christian Education, departmentalized the Sunday School, became aligned with the American Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention, Inc.  The Church also flourished and excelled in Christian Education and received both state and national recognition.  During the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, the Church became very active  in local and state interdenominational religious activities, community relations, and prided itself on recognition for civic responsibilities.  Along with outside activities, the Church purchased a parsonage, installing a new heating plant, and refurbished the sanctuary.  In 1965, the Church broke ground for the annexed sanctuary at 116 South Chicago Street. 

Reverend Varnado accepted the call to another church and left Mt. Olive in 1970.  He was succeed by Reverend Jermone Brown (1970 – 1975) and Reverend Lee A. Gragg (1975 – 1981).  During this period, the existing mortgage was burned.  Both the first second parsonages were sold, and plans began to build a new efidice.   Reverend Varnado returned to the Church in 1981 and served until he was struck with illness that rendered him unable to continue.  Upon his retirement in 1983, he was bestowed the title of Pastor Emeritus.

Reverend Donald W. Johnson was called and served from 1983 to 1988.  Reverend Donald W. Johnson served as interim Pastor between these ministers.  Under the pastorate of Donald W. Johnson, we sent Sister Lillie O’Neal, our first Missionary, to Africa.

Period of Renewal, Recommitment and Rededication:

In the late 1980’s, Mt. Olive’s resolve was severely tested.  But with the arrival of Pastor Hector L.  Edwards, and much prayer, God smiled on us again.  Pastor Edwards resisted the temptation of funding the Church other than through biblical principles.  During this time, a new gas boiler and a new roof were purchased, and the sanctuary remodeling was completed.  With three years, the Church was declared debt free.  An aggressive building fund program was established, and the membership rallied to the caused.  Over $500,000 was realized through tithes, offerings, and building fund pledges. 

Faced with physical restraints of downtown development, the Church purchased 9.9 acres of land on Old New Lenox Road, and paid for it within one year.  Will County purchased the property at 116 South Chicago Street.  In October 1996, the Chicago Street facility was vacated, and the interim services were held at First Baptist Church, located at 225 East Clinton Street. The Church had a ground breaking ceremony was held in July 1996 at its new location – 1710  Carey Street.  Through prayer, faith, and determination, the Church held cornerstone services on November 2, 1997.  On Sunday, November 23, 1997, the membership marched to its new edifice.  The Vision to Victory Dedication services were held from December 15 – 21, 1997.  Along with the new edifice, a new 15 passenger church van, a new tractor and other equipment was purchased to maintenance of the church grounds.  Other accomplishments included amending the and upgrading the Church’s constitution and by-laws, and reinstatement of the 501C-3 status.

In addition, the following ministries were organized:  Prayer Ministry, youth Ministry, Ambassador Ministry, Youth Church Ministry, Nursery Ministry, Emerging Women Ministry, Youth Ushers Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Praise Dance Ministry, Men’s Discipleship Ministry, The Caregivers Ministry, Young Mothers Ministry, Evangelism Ministry, Upgraded Mission Ministry, and the Sunday School has been expanded to included three adult classes.

The worship services has been revamped to included total participation.  A new member orientation class was established.  Annual leadership training was also instituted.  In the year 2000, for the first time in Mt. Olive’s history, the Church recorded its highest giving ever.  Pastor Edwards also ministered in Uganda, Africa that same year.  We have also realized another first.  Ten percent of our annual budget now goes to missions.  As a result of an increased mission focus, sister Theresa Washington was sent to Antigua.  Reverend Edwards has made several mission trips to Africa and the Caribbean.  To further the Church’s mission and efforts, in 2007, Mt. Olive began construction of a church in Kinshasha, Africa, and completed construction in 2008.

Mt. Olive continues to experience continued growth, spiritually, numerically, and financially.  Mt. Olive celebrated 100 years this past March 2007, of Service to the Christian Community.  Mt. Olive give all Praise and Glory to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who continues to hear our prayers. 

New Beginning

On January 17, 2010, through prayer and supplication, Dr. Angelo Hill became the new Pastor of Mt Olive. 

To God be the Glory!