Fulton-Campbell County GaArchives Church Records.....Mt. Olive Baptist Church Copyright Date October 28, 1871 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: S D Holland sdholland@mindspring.com March 30, 2006, 10:24 am Just after the Civil War, the Mt. Olive Church was given the property of its present location by E. F. Lee estate, August 14, 1872. In 1864, Noah Hornsby organized a Primitive Baptist Church on this site and it was called Liberty Primitive Baptist Church. In 1869, a missionary preacher, from Tanner's Baptist Church,by the name of William Thames, held services near the corner of Hogan and Ben Hill Rd., and a number of the Liberty members attended the services. As a result, on October 26, 1871, part of the congregation of Liberty decided to organize a Missionary Baptist Church.Thirteen members formed the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, and the original building, built in 1874 was used until 1898. A one room frame building was erected in 1898 by Andrew Redwine and used until 1958 when the present building was built. When Mt. Olive was organized, services were held only once a month. The offerings the first year were about $67.00. The membership has increased from The 13 original members rose to over 1,000 on the church roll. Mount Olive organized its 1st Sunday School in 1895 and in 1924, under the direction of Pastor Y. A. Brown, built the first Sunday School Rooms. Three years later, 1927, the 1st training program was organized. 1958 the present building was erected and in 1964 the church acquired the property north of the church. The dwelling on the property became the pastorium. August 17, 1966 the church voted to borrow $100,000.00 to build and improeve the present building. At this time, Rev. John T Allen was pastor. May 1970 Rev. Allen resigned and Rev. Jack Holt became the interium pastor. In December 1970, Rev. Leroy Cooper became pastor, and is presently in his 5th year at Mt. Olive. Arter his coming the church began a bus minsitry with two buses. David Crawley began as the director, and soon afterward Bro. Charlie Jones took the job. Imediately, the church saw the need for a children's worship service and a children's church program started. June 1972 the 2nd Baptist Church merged with Mt. Olive and their pastor, Rev. Charles Yates, became the associatee pastor for about 18 months and resigned in the spring of 1974. In 1973 Mrs. Janice Gray, who is our choir director, became a member of the church staff. The church has continued to expand and grow, and in May 1974, the church completed the east wing educational building. Also in May 1974, the church bought a new pastorium which is located on Carol Court, East Point, GA. The old pastorium was left available for other staff members. Since this time other improvements have been made on the properties and the church is presently in the process of constructing a soft ball field and recreational area. August 1974 the church sought for, and called a Minister of Education, Rev. Tom Hood was called and moved on the field 7 Aug. 1974 Under the direction of our present pastor, Rev. LeRoy Cooper, the Mt. Olive Baptist Church has continued to grow. As we look toward the future we are asking God to lead us, and show us his will in the work of our church. At the present time, we are looking for more gorwth for the glory of our Lord. 1974 our present staff consists of: Rev. LeRoy Cooper, Pastor, Rev. Tom Hood, Min. Eudcation and Bus Director, Rev Charles Jones, Children's Church Director, Mrs. Janice Gray, Choir Director and Mrs. Lorena Byrd, Church Secretary. (History written 1974) This information contributed in 2006. In this year the church stands as it did in 1974 with a center building and two wings all with basement. The area has changed and the congregation now has only at the most 100/125 members. Most of them in their later years. It is in danger of being sold and not remaining in existance. The cemetery located on the same property then will be in danger of not being cared for. This property is located on Washington Rd., East Point, Fulton County, GA. Additional Comments: Rev. William Thames, missionary, had a dau. Martha Smithie Thames who married John R Stone. John and Smithie, their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, a sister of Smithie, Ida Lula Thames Head, mother of John Stone Elizabeth Rhyne Stone are all buried at this church. Many Civil War veterans are buried here also. There many, many unmarked graves in this cemetery and no church record to support who they might be. I find it interesting that with all the leaders of this church that came thru and served that only families of founding members of this congregation are buried in the cemetery. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/fulton/churches/mtoliveb278gbb.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 5.1 Kb