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OUR CHURCH HISTORY
Written by Minister Pearlie Cureton-Borders
Revised 10/2002
An ex-slave, a desire to establish a church, a brush arbor, and a small group of
dedicated followers, characterized the beginning of the Mount Olive Baptist Church, which was established one hundred and
thirty-four years ago in the year 1868. Little did anyone realize that this church would endure to this present day. Mount
Olive owes its existence as a church to an ex-slave by the name of Rev. Alex Anderson, who had a burning desire to establish
a church. Rev. Anderson was born under the institution of slavery and lived as such for a portion of his life.
As a free man, Rev. Anderson married Elvira
Anderson and had several children, one of which was Mrs. Mary Anderson Pharr, who lived to be one hundred years old and died
a faithful member of Mount Olive Baptist Church in the year 1962. One of Rev. Anderson's greatest and lasting gifts to Mount
Olive was six strong and lasting generations of members. Six of these generations are presently active members of this church
today. Mr. Hurdle Wilson, oldest grandson of Mrs. Mary Anderson Pharr and great-grandson of Rev. Alex Anderson, is still actively
attends Mount Olive Baptist Church. Knowing only of his desire to build a church and
the need among the people for this church, Rev. Anderson began his worship service in the only edifice that he could at the
time. With the help of a few deacons, Rev. Anderson began his work of building a brush arbor to house Mount Olive's first
members. These deacons working with Rev. Anderson must have been equally as inspired and dedicated as their pastor at this
time. These men, Ede Sloan, Trial Moore, Perry Magma, Ben Sloan, John Wilson, Sr. and Perry Davis were a rugged group of deacons.
It is from their toil and labor that we have reaped the results of the present day church. And so the worship service of Mount
Olive Baptist Church began in a structure called a “brush arbor." Simple, small and probably quaint in its appearance,
it was to live and endure a tremendous history. With the departure of Rev. Anderson in 1900, Mount
Olive received its next pastor, Rev. A.J. Jones who served for five years. At this time, Sunday School was being held
in the schoolhouse and preaching was held under a brush arbor. In 1905,
Mr. and Mrs. Noah Winecoff gave the church some land, which the present church occupies today. In 1905, Rev. J. T. Williams
became pastor and with the help of other dedicated members cut down some trees, hauled them to the mill and built the first
church. Little did Rev. Williams and his deacons, Ede Nims, John Wilson, Sr., Sid Gabriel, Joseph Davidson and Levi Knox realized
that this edifice would last until the year 1963, when as fate would have it, the first church was completely demolished by
fire. Following Rev. Williams as pastor was Rev. W. M. McIntyre in 1918,
who served for fourteen years. Rev. McIntyre made an addition to both the front and back of the first church. Rev. McIntyre
baptized many members. There were also members added to the deacon board. They were Sullie Graham, Alfred Graham,
John J. Wilson, Jr., Mr. Rogers and Fred Carr. The
pastor to follow Rev. McIntyre was Rev. T. C. Sanders in 1932. Rev. Sanders served for six years at Mount Olive. During this
time a baptistery was built by Deacon Will Carr in the front yard of the church, thereby eliminating the task of having to
go to the branch in the woods for baptizing service. In 1938,
Mount Olive's next pastor was Rev. J. B. Bradley, who served for three years. Many new members were added to the church during
Rev. Bradley's pastoral period. After the service of Rev. Bradley, Rev. S. M. Hardin
became the pastor in 1941. Rev. Hardin was pastor for fourteen years and during this time new siding was put on the first
church and new walls put inside. In 1955 Rev. B. M. McKenzie became the pastor of
Mount Olive. By this time members had already initiated the idea of building a new church. The idea of a new church
elated the members as they began the long hard task of raising the money to begin the new church. The first donation for the
church was given by the Gospel Chorus in the amount of twelve hundred dollars. Rev. McKenzie had undertaken a great and tremendous
work and the members of Mount Olive loved him for this. He was without a doubt a man of goodness, sincerity and integrity.
The present church was begun under the leadership of Rev. McKenzie in 1956 and built to floor level when a standstill arose
in the building effort. These were trying times for Rev. McKenzie and the members of Mount Olive. In January 1959, Rev. McKenzie
resigned as pastor of Mount Olive. By now, it seemed that all effort for completing the new church had been exhausted. The
building on the new church had ceased, and it was to remain at only floor level for another two years after the resignation
of Rev. McKenzie. The only known trustee at this time was Lloyd Wilson. By
now disillusion, frustration and hopelessness spread throughout the membership of Mount Olive. The way seemed confused, and
there seemed to be no place to turn, the members were steadfast in God’s plan to build a church. Many ministers preached
for Mount Olive during these trying months, but all to the dissatisfaction of the members. God had still not moved them to
call a pastor. Finally in March 1959, the deacons of the church asked Rev. Max B. McIlwain to preach on the second and
the fourth Sunday of the month. The deacons at this time were Sidney Henderson, Robert Black, Audrey Pharr, William R. Byrd
and Alphonso Henderson. This was indeed a revelation, for on October 21,
1957, Rev. McIlwain had been inspired by an article in the newspaper about the efforts of Mount Olive's members picking cotton
to raise money to finish building the church. The article was entitled, "Picking to Build". As Rev. McIlwain looked
at the picture and read the article God spoke to him and said, "This church will be finished under your leadership." Approximately one year later, Rev. McIlwain attended a funeral at Mount Olive, and
as he came around the corner approaching the church, again God spoke to him and said, "There is your church." At
this time the church was still only at floor level and no work had been done on it since the article had appeared in the paper
a year ago. After preaching at Mount Olive on the second and
fourth Sunday in March 1959, the deacons returned again and asked Rev. McIlwain to preach on the second Sunday in April. By
this time, deacons Sidney Henderson, Robert Black, William R. Byrd, and the members had already met and decided that they
wanted Rev. McIlwain to serve as pastor of Mount Olive. In 1959,
the members were trying to raise ten thousand dollars to complete the church. After being there a year, Rev. McIlwain was
asked by the deacons and trustees to take over the church program. They later met and discussed the problems confronting them
with the building program. Rev. McIlwain studied the situation and told them that within five years the church would be completed
on a pay as you go basis. Finally in April 1961, with two thousand dollars, and approximately 50 members on roll, work was
again resumed on the church building.
Knowing only of his desire to build a
church and the need among the people for this church, Rev. Anderson began his worship service in the only edifice that he
could at the time. With the help of a few deacons, Rev. Anderson began his work of building a brush arbor to house Mount Olive's
first members. These deacons working with Rev. Anderson must have been equally as inspired and dedicated as their pastor at
this time. These men, Ede Sloan, Trial Moore, Perry Magma, Ben Sloan, John Wilson, Sr. and Perry Davis were a rugged group
of deacons. It is from their toil and labor that we have reaped the results of the present day church.
And so the worship service of Mount Olive Baptist Church began in a structure called a “brush arbor." Simple, small
and probably quaint in its appearance, it was to live and endure a tremendous history. With the departure of Rev. Anderson in 1900, Mount Olive received its next pastor,
Rev. A.J. Jones who served for five years. At this time, Sunday School was being held in the schoolhouse
and preaching was held under a brush arbor.
In 1905, Mr. and Mrs. Noah Winecoff gave the church some land, which
the present church occupies today. In 1905, Rev. J. T. Williams became pastor and with the help of other dedicated members
cut down some trees, hauled them to the mill and built the first church. Little did Rev. Williams and his deacons, Ede Nims,
John Wilson, Sr., Sid Gabriel, Joseph Davidson and Levi Knox realized that this edifice would last until the year 1963, when
as fate would have it, the first church was completely demolished by fire.
Following Rev. Williams
as pastor was Rev. W. M. McIntyre in 1918, who served for fourteen years. Rev. McIntyre made an addition to both the front
and back of the first church. Rev. McIntyre baptized many members. There were also members added to the
deacon board. They were Sullie Graham, Alfred Graham, John J. Wilson, Jr., Mr. Rogers and Fred Carr. The pastor to follow Rev. McIntyre was Rev. T. C. Sanders in 1932. Rev. Sanders served for six years
at Mount Olive. During this time a baptistery was built by Deacon Will Carr in the front yard of the church, thereby eliminating
the task of having to go to the branch in the woods for baptizing service.
In
1938, Mount Olive's next pastor was Rev. J. B. Bradley, who served for three years. Many new members were added to the church
during Rev. Bradley's pastoral period. After the service of Rev. Bradley, Rev.
S. M. Hardin became the pastor in 1941. Rev. Hardin was pastor for fourteen years and during this time new siding was put
on the first church and new walls put inside. In 1955 Rev. B. M. McKenzie became the pastor
of Mount Olive. By this time members had already initiated the idea of building a new church. The idea
of a new church elated the members as they began the long hard task of raising the money to begin the new church. The first
donation for the church was given by the Gospel Chorus in the amount of twelve hundred dollars. Rev. McKenzie had undertaken
a great and tremendous work and the members of Mount Olive loved him for this. He was without a doubt a man of goodness, sincerity
and integrity. The present church was begun under the leadership of Rev. McKenzie in 1956 and built to floor level when a
standstill arose in the building effort. These were trying times for Rev. McKenzie and the members of Mount Olive. In January
1959, Rev. McKenzie resigned as pastor of Mount Olive. By now, it seemed that all effort for completing the new church had
been exhausted. The building on the new church had ceased, and it was to remain at only floor level for another two years
after the resignation of Rev. McKenzie. The only known trustee at this time was Lloyd Wilson.
By
now disillusion, frustration and hopelessness spread throughout the membership of Mount Olive. The way seemed confused, and
there seemed to be no place to turn, the members were steadfast in God’s plan to build a church. Many ministers preached
for Mount Olive during these trying months, but all to the dissatisfaction of the members. God had still not moved them to
call a pastor. Finally in March 1959, the deacons of the church asked Rev. Max B. McIlwain to preach on
the second and the fourth Sunday of the month. The deacons at this time were Sidney Henderson, Robert Black, Audrey Pharr,
William R. Byrd and Alphonso Henderson.
This was indeed a revelation, for on October
21, 1957, Rev. McIlwain had been inspired by an article in the newspaper about the efforts of Mount Olive's members picking
cotton to raise money to finish building the church. The article was entitled, "Picking to Build". As Rev. McIlwain
looked at the picture and read the article God spoke to him and said, "This church will be finished under your leadership."
Approximately
one year later, Rev. McIlwain attended a funeral at Mount Olive, and as he came around the corner approaching the church,
again God spoke to him and said, "There is your church." At this time the church was still only at floor level and
no work had been done on it since the article had appeared in the paper a year ago.
After
preaching at Mount Olive on the second and fourth Sunday in March 1959, the deacons returned again and asked Rev. McIlwain
to preach on the second Sunday in April. By this time, deacons Sidney Henderson, Robert Black, William R. Byrd, and the members
had already met and decided that they wanted Rev. McIlwain to serve as pastor of Mount Olive.
In
1959, the members were trying to raise ten thousand dollars to complete the church. After being there a year, Rev. McIlwain
was asked by the deacons and trustees to take over the church program. They later met and discussed the problems confronting
them with the building program. Rev. McIlwain studied the situation and told them that within five years the church would
be completed on a pay as you go basis. Finally in April 1961, with two thousand dollars, and approximately 50 members on roll,
work was again resumed on the church building.
On December 22, 1963, another
disappointment was to occur. During morning worship service, a member, Rosa Carr Hemphill, walked in and notified the congregation
that the church was burning. Upon confirming that this was true, Rev. McIlwain asked all members to walk orderly out of the
building. This was a very emotional and despondent time. While the members stood helpless with tears in their eyes, their
only church burned down to the ground. In addition to this, a third of the top of the new church was damaged and two of the stain glass windows were lost.
It had been difficult to get the fire department because at this time, there was
an all-volunteer department and its workers were in worship service at the time. One of the trustees, Brother Herbert Wilson,
drove to Hopewell Presbyterian Church and got the volunteer firemen, and the new church structure was saved.
After
the fire had been extinguished, the members were reassembled in a field, which was a short distance from the burned structure.
A devotion was held, an offering taken, and not knowing where they would worship on the following Sunday, Rev. McIlwain dismissed
and said that there would be service on the following Sunday; he would let them know the location.
The
following Sunday, church services were held at Torrence Lytle High School Cafeteria. Service was held there from December
1963 until February 2, 1964, when services were begun in the church basement. Mount Olive had come a long way now, because
a part of their dream had become a reality; they were now sitting in the basement of the new church.
Now
the hard work was finally paying off, anticipation was great, and spirits high for on September 6, 1964, the members would
march into the new church. But before this would happen, another disaster and disappointment was to occur. The members had
ordered pews to be made for the new church. These pews were being made by a company in Monroe, North Carolina, and were to
be delivered in time for the September 6th opening. But before this could be realized, the company in Monroe caught
fire, burned down and destroyed the pews that had been built for the church. Upon learning of this, the church rented chairs
for the church opening while another company was building the pews.
On September 6, 1964, the members of Mount Olive Baptist Church very triumphantly marched into its new church. What
a day of rejoicing this was! Rev. McIlwain had held true to his word. They were able to be in the church
within the five years as he had promised, owing only twelve thousand dollars at this time. Mount Olive Baptist Church has
grown tremendously since the completion of its present church. In 1959, the church was only having service twice per month.
Rev. McIlwain’s first financial goal for the church was to raise one hundred dollars per Sunday. This
goal was reached within a few months. In 1959, the church was only having church twice per month.
By 1963, with the guidance of Rev. McIlwain and willingness of the members, Mount Olive began having services every
Sunday.
During the pastorship of Rev. McIlwain, eight deacons were ordained,
five members were called into the ministry and were ordained, additional trustees were installed and seven auxiliaries organized.
The deacons ordained were; Willie Bost, Hurdle Wilson, Herbert Wilson, Willie Hemphill, Richard Graham, Leroy Henderson, and
also, the late Audrey Pharr and the late Alphonso Henderson. Members of the Trustee Board were Eugene M.
Barringer, John E. Barringer, Troy L. Bost, the late John F. Carr, the late G.W. Connor, the late Garland Gabriel, Theodore
Gabriel, James Graham, Roosevelt Henderson, Paul E. Hemphill and Jesse Cureton, Jr.
Ministers ordained were Rev. Leroy Henderson (who had previously served as a deacon
for a number of years), Rev. Donald Rucker, Rev. Rosemarie Standifer (granddaughter of Rev. McIlwain), Rev. Bobby Davis and
Rev. Byron Davis. All served as associate ministers under the leadership of Rev. McIlwain. The following auxiliaries were
organized: Missionary Circle Numbers 2 and 3, The Young Adult Missionary Organization, The Youth Organization (which included
the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Men and Women's Softball Teams), The Men's Club, Women's Club, the Scholarship Committee
and the Hymn Choir (which was later changed and reorganized as the Voice of Mount Olive and the Mass Choir).
Four
major accomplishments happened during the latter tenure of Rev. McIlwain as pastor of Mount Olive. The
first was the Mortgage Burning Ceremony in June 1973 marking the debt free status of the Church building. The
second one was the purchase of additional land adjacent to the Church for future use. The third was the
sponsorship of a Radio Ministry with Outreach messages being delivered weekly by Rev. Mcllwain. The fourth
one was the development of a Five-year Plan. The plan included pew coverings, re-pavement of the Church
parking lot, the purchase and construction of a Church sign that incorporated the bell from the old Church, and the addition
of an Educational building designed to hold, 5 Sunday School rooms, a new Pastor’s Study, a library, Trustee Room, church
office and restrooms.
On
April 14, 1988, the members of Mount Olive were to receive some very sad and shocking news. On this date, their pastor, Rev.
McIlwain, was stricken with a massive stroke and nine months later on January 20, 1989, passed from his earthly home to his
heavenly home to be with the Lord. Although the hurt was great and the pain sharp, the members of Mount Olive knew that they
must continue the work that was set before them. With the death of Rev. McIlwain, a new era was being ushered in, one that
would take Mount Olive to even higher heights and greater visions. What greater tribute could a church give than a greater
vision to a pastor who had served, ministered, endured and kept the faith for thirty years.
Although
times were turbulent and uncertain after the death of Rev. McIlwain, members were determined to look forward, and seek God's
guidance in search of a new pastor. In January 1989, Rev. Byron Lamont Davis became the interim minister of Mount Olive Baptist
Church. Rev. Davis had previously served as an associate minister of the church. During the fourteen months that Rev. Davis
served as interim minister, he did so with much compassion, love, patience and understanding of a church in transition.
Through
the appointment of a Pastor Search Committee, the Church was able to decide that they would like Rev. Byron Davis to become
the next pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church. In March of 1990, Rev. Davis, through the guidance of God, accepted the calling
as pastor of the Church.
Adding to the strong and enduring family
history of the Church, Rev. Davis married Sherry Connor, the great granddaughter of Mrs. Mary Anderson Pharr and the great,
great granddaughter of the founder of Mount Olive Baptist Church, Rev. Alex Anderson. Sherry is the daughter of Mrs. Louise
Connor who is one of the granddaughters of Mrs. Mary Anderson Pharr. Rev. Davis is a man of God who exhibits a deep sense
of caring for the flock that he leads. He has brought a new spirit of urgency about God's work. His energy and commitment
to God's church has served to bring about many accomplishments since 1990. Realizing the first great need of keeping strong
spiritual leadership, Rev. Davis ordained eight new deacons. These deacons were Paul Hemphill, Jesse Cureton, Jr., Rossie
Berry, John E. Barringer, the late John F. Carr, Samuel Carr, Roosevelt Henderson, and Vancer Meaders. Seeing the need to
have additional skilled and able trustees, Rev. Davis installed ten additional trustees. They were Wylie
Duncan, Darvin Carr, Michael Hager, Billy Jackson, Eric Davis, the late Dwight A. Rann, John J. Barringer, Kenneth Davidson,
James Henderson, Anthony Boyce, Brenda Jackson, Cynthia Smith and Joseph McIlwain.
In
March of 1997, Rev Davis made a definite mark on the history of Mount Olive Baptist Church. For the first time in the history
of the church, along with adding five new deacons of the church, Rev. Davis also added a Deaconess Board, which consisted
of nine members. Added deacons were James Borders, Bobby Henderson, Wilton Meaders, Thomas Waters, and Charlie Winchester.
The deaconesses were: Estelle Barringer, Pearlie Cureton-Borders, Doris Carr, Linda Hager, Elsie Henderson, Mae West Henderson,
Trudy Pratt, Laura Waters, and Loretta Wilson. In addition, nine members were called into the ministry and have been ordained
during the pastorship of Rev. Davis. They were Evangelist Willie Hemphill, Rev. Paul Hemphill, Rev. James Clinton, Rev. Joann
Standifer, Rev. Laura Waters, Rev. Tiffany Quarles, Rev. Elsie Henderson, Rev. Christopher Henderson and Evangelist Mynnie
Pryor. Six of these ministers presently serve as associates to the pastor of the church, Evangelist Willie
Hemphill, Rev. Paul Hemphill, Rev. Laura Waters, Rev. Elsie Henderson, Rev. Christopher Henderson and Evangelist Mynnie Pryor.
Deaconess Pearlie Cureton-Borders was also called to become Mt.Olive’s Minister of Christian Education.
Mount
Olive has been so blessed in realizing so many new initiatives under the leadership of Rev. Davis. Church communication has
been enhanced through the publication of a church newsletter and Sunday Bulletin. The tape ministry continues to grow and
is an important component of the communication initiative. Rev. Davis has a great heart for outreach and the members of the
church and surrounding community reap the benefit of this outreach through the Food Bank, Missionary Relief Program, Sunday
Child Care Ministry, year round Teacher Bible/Methods Training, New Converts Program, and the Hot Lunch Program. Other accomplishments
that the members have realized during the leadership of Rev. Davis include the organization of a Drill Team, the purchase
of 6100 Neck Road Property, office equipment, remodeling of the kitchen, refurbishing the basement with floor tile and wall
paneling, purchase of a church bus and construction of a basement handicap ramp. Two additional history-making initiatives
by Rev. Davis have been the creation of a church dance group, Mt. Olive Liturgical Praise & Worship Ministry, that performs
at various times during worship service and special church programs, and the addition of an 8:00 AM Worship Service.
The history of Mt. Olive Baptist Church
continues to flourish under the anointing of God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our 10-year
plan was established in 1999 along with our church vision which states: “With
loving spirit and outstretched arms, Mt. Olive Baptist Church will reach, teach and minister to the hurts and needs of seekers,
preparing them to be believers and workers for Christ.”
God
continues to bless Mount Olive with new ministries that are being brought forth to carry out the vision and 10-year plan of
the church. Nine ministries have been birthed and anointed for the harvest. These ministries
are Book Club Ministry, Reading Program Ministry, Singles Ministry, Praise & Worship Outreach Ministry, New Membership
Ministry, Evangelism Ministry, Street Strength Ministry, Ministry of Music, and the Ministry of Fundraising. In
ministering to the youth, the Sunday School Department and Youth Ministry sponsored a Youth Rally, which was the first of
its kind for our church. The youth were blessed with many speakers from various business and community
ministries. Along with these new ministries, God has also blessed Mt. Olive with a Summer Enrichment Program
for children in grades 1-6.
The drumbeat of the history of Mount Olive
Baptist Church continues. Since the first printing of the history in 1972, much has changed, but the march continues. Step
by step the church moves forward building a church that will be ready for the great return of Christ.
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