Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church History

In nineteen hundred seventeen, through the inspiration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Rev. J.W. Robinson with his faithful wife and family organized the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church at the corner of Fort Wayne Avenue and North “D” Streets.  The church later relocated to the 600 block of North 12th Street, and then to 1117 North “H” Street, the home of Rev. Robinson.

Later, church services were held in a “tent” at the former site, 1101 North “H” Street. While members worshiped in the tent, a building fund was established by the late Mr. Sims of Indianapolis, Indiana. Then in 1927, the proceeds from a religious play performance were used to erect the original lower edifice of the church. Rev. Robinson continued to pastor the church for many blessed years. Then in 1944, under the leadership of Rev. William
Wooten, a generous loan was made by Bro. and Sis. Floyd Potter and the upper sanctuary was erected. The contractor, Mr. Will Oxendine, contributed his services.

We were later blessed to have the Rev. A.W. Faulkner who gave freely of himself and was a faithful servant in his efforts to improve the church. Unfortunately, he died in an auto accident. After his untimely death, Rev. L.T. Williams pastored the church, then he was followed by Rev. Rogers. Later, Rev. R.E. Girten served us for a short time and established another building fund, but he was called to another church and was replaced by Rev. J. M. Allen. Under Rev. Allen’s leadership, the church was able to install new pulpit furniture, a communion table and an altar railing.

In 1967, The Rev. James E. Flakes became our pastor. Rev. Flakes was one of the most dynamic speakers of his time, and has accomplished so many things for Mt. Olive, most notably, “Robinson Hall.” This was done to serve as a tribute to the organizing pastor of Mt. Olive, Rev. J.W. Robinson. Under Rev. Flakes’ leadership, the church was able to purchase new pews as well as a new heating and air conditioning system. But in 1973, Rev. Flakes was called to another church.

With the Lord’s help, one of our faithful Deacons, Bro. John McCoy, utilized various ministers to bring us God’s message and as a result, Mt. Olive was able to keep her doors open. From May 1974 to March 1976, we were under the leadership of Rev. J.B. Claiborne who was followed by Rev. Eddings. But we continued to pray and trust in God, believing he would send us someone, and in April of 1976, our prayers were answered.

In April of 1976, the Lord sent us Rev. Earnest Randle of the New Liberty Baptist Church of Muncie, Indiana. During his tenure here, great strides were made under his guidance. We paid off and burned our original mortgage in November of 1976. We then began to collect pledges with the intention of building a new edifice.

In December of 1979, under the leadership of Rev. Randle, Mt. Olive voted to build a new church. The building committee was elected in January of 1980 and Mr. Nelson Harris, an architect, was hired to design our present edifice. In 1991, our present church site was purchased. In October of 1982, Mr. Fred Mosier was hired as the contractor and the construction of the new edifice began in April of 1983. Our present church was erected
in December of 1983. The cornerstone laying ceremony took place on Sunday February 19, 1984, and on the first Sunday of the following month, March 4, 1984, the members of Mt. Olive marched across the street to the new edifice to begin worship.

The Lord continued to bless us both spiritually and financially as He provided the resources to pay off our present building mortgage on March 10, 1999. Due to growth through our Evangelism and Discipleship efforts through the Nationwide Evangelism Training (NET), classroom space was needed to accommodate students who were in various levels of training. We also needed the space due to the growth of our Sunday Church School classes.  On December 11, 2004, during our annual family meeting, the church decided to build an educational wing. Then Deacon Derek White made a motion, and the church agreed to name the wing after our pastor, Rev. Earnest Randle.

The educational wing was dedicated in 2009 and is now called “The Randle Education Center.” The addition includes the pastors office, the secretary’s office, three (3) classrooms, a conference room, and an elevator lift.

After 37 ½ faithful years, Rev. Randle retired in October of 2013, and Mt. Olive began the process of calling a new pastor. On September 7, 2014, the church called our current pastor, Rev. Derek E. White. He began his official pastoral duties on October 5, 2014. His main focus is his desire to equip Mt. Olive to continue to reach the lost and to develop the saved, based on the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:16-20. As a church, we have an expanded role in both the State and National Conventions, and we have members who serve both as instructors and officers in each convention.

Internationally, we support mission efforts in the Philippines and this year we will add support to Rev. Julien Bonnel in France, a young man Rev. White had the privilege of discipling, who is now planting Christian churches in France.

2019 marks the 102nd year that Mt. Olive is celebrating Christian service locally, nationally, and internationally and we are excited that we are celebrating it with you today!