On January 15, 1909, a meeting was held at the home of Bro. and Sis. Henderson Harris to organize Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Those present included Gus Thomas, Joseph Carter, James Pointer, Charles Fuller, Thomas Dougherty, Henderson Harrison, Clifford Dyer, Jerry Lindsay, George Grady, William Smith, Dr. O.L. Ballenger, Dolly Thomas, Nora Carter, Mattie Pointer, Cynthia Fuller, Lucy Scott, Mrs. O.L. Ballenger, Virginia Smith, Jenny Posey, Minnie Fuller, Betty Grady, Alberta Wilson, and Courtney Harris.
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The first morning service was held at the home of Bro. and Sis. Gus Thomas, with evening service at the home of Bro. Jerry Lindsay on York Avenue. Under the leadership of Rev. T.C. Fleming of Braidwood, Illinois, services were held in Lasser Hall on Bluff Street, and ministries such as Sunday School, Missionary Society, Baptist Young People’s Union, and a choir were formed. A property on South Chicago Street was purchased and remodeled into a church.
OUR HISTORY
In 1911, Rev. J.M. Mason became pastor and served until 1928. During his tenure, his son, Chastine, became the church’s first choir director, the first revival was held, and 24 people were baptized. Membership increased, a pipe organ was installed, and the church was paid off. A building fund for a new edifice was also established.
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Rev. O.W. Williams of Monroe, Louisiana, became the third pastor and led the church through spiritual, numerical, and financial growth.
During World War II, Mount Olive housed a state-accredited nursery school approved by Joliet Public Schools. The church completed its main sanctuary, purchased property at 116 South Chicago Street, and added carpeting, a grand piano, Christian Education classes, and string and wind instruments to worship. The church also aired programs on a local radio station.
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In 1951, Rev. Alva M. Varnado became pastor. Under his leadership, the church established a Board of Christian Education, departmentalized Sunday School, introduced leadership training classes, and affiliated with the American Baptist Association and the National Baptist Convention. In 1965, the church broke ground for a new sanctuary adjacent to the old building.
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Rev. Jerome Brown (1970–1975) and Rev. Lee Gragg (1975–1981) led the church during the next era. Rev. Varnado returned in 1981, leading efforts to pay off the mortgage. During this time, the church gained 120 new members, ordained seven deacons and two young ministers, and funded the building of a church in Africa. Rev. Varnado retired in 1983 and was named Pastor Emeritus.
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Rev. Donald W. Johnson became pastor in 1983 and served until 1988. Under his leadership, the church sent its first missionary to Africa, joined the PADS program, and purchased a church bus, a new parsonage, and choir robes.
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In 1989, Rev. Hector Edwards was named pastor. During his tenure, the church became debt-free in three years, raised over $500,000 for a building fund, and sold its property at 116 South Chicago Street. The church purchased 9.9 acres of land on Old New Lenox Road, and in 1997, the congregation moved into its new edifice at 1710 Carey Street.
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In the new location, several ministries were formed and reorganized, worship services were revamped, and annual leadership training and New Members’ Orientation were introduced. In 2000, the church allocated 10% of its budget to missionary activities, sent representatives to Antigua and Africa, and built a second church in Kinshasa, Africa. Pastor Edwards retired in October 2009 after 21 years of service.
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Dr. Angelo Hill became pastor in 2010. Under his leadership, the audiovisual ministry grew, and the church completed necessary repairs and improvements including new carpeting in the sanctuary, tile replacement, new fellowship hall doors, and the acquisition of a snowplow. Dr. Hill and his family departed in 2017.
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On February 4, 2018, Rev. Wendell Martin became our Senior Pastor. Since his arrival, the church has embraced a new vision statement that has guided our mission and ministry. Under Pastor Martin's leadership, we have witnessed over 100 baptisms, a 250% increase in active membership through strategic outreach, community engagement, and impactful worship services, and a 64% increase in annual giving. A comprehensive vision and strategic plan focused on worship, evangelism, Christian education, community outreach, and congregational connectivity have driven holistic church growth and engagement. Additionally, the church has undergone a complete overhaul of its financial, membership, and operational systems, resulting in significantly improved efficiency and effectiveness in daily operations and resource management.
With this foundation, we look forward with great anticipation to the bright future ahead for Mt. Olive and to all that God will accomplish in, for, and through us.
