Another view of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Meridian.

Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1923 by the late Mrs. Mattie Thrash, Mrs. Mary Hill, Mrs. Mamie Stennis, Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Figgers, Mrs. Sally Brown, Mr. John Brown, and Mrs. Parthenia Hannibal Payton.

Before the original structure of the church, worship service was held in the Brush Harbour. The first structure of the church was wood frame with wood burning heaters and kerosene burning lamps for light. The only running water was in the creek behind the church.

Mount Olive has been blessed with divine leadership and administration. During the first administration services were held at the Brush Harbour with Rev. John Evans, and growth continued with Rev. S. D. Hammon and his congregations building the first completed wood structure.

During Rev. L.S. Lee’s administration, the first piano was purchased. Other projects and goals were attained during Rev. A.R. Clayton (1931-1935), Rev. J.T. Davis and Rev. John Robertson’s administration.

Others include Rev. C.O. Inge, 1941-1947; Rev. E.L. Thames, 1945-1955; Rev. J.S. Spinks, 1956-1962; Rev. Eddie O’Neal, 1962 (middle part); Rev. J.R. Porter, March 1963-1973; Rev. J.C. Chandler, October 1973-1982; Rev. A.D. Lewis, April 1983-February 1994; Rev. Cleveland Hayes, February 1994-October 1994 (Interim).

Rev. Billy G. Russell purchased property and facilitated the building of the current structure at 544 James Chaney Drive. Several came after Rev. Russell – Pastor Zachary Operton, and Rev. Wardell Tanksley who served as Interim pastor until Rev. Lewis returned.

During the present term of Rev. A.D. Lewis, the mortgage on the current structure was burned and classrooms completed in the Family Life Center.

About the church:

Name: Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church.

Pastor: Rev. A.D. Lewis – First assignment served 11 years. Came back to Mount Olive and has presently served for nine years.

Denomination: Baptist.

Founded: 1923.

Address: 544 James Chaney Drive.

Contact Info: PO Box 4703, Meridian, MS 39304 – e-mail mtombc@bellsouth.net.

Website: www.mtombc.com. Church office (601) 482-7415.

Service times:

Sunday School – 9:15 a.m., Worship Service – 10:30 a.m.

Prayer meeting and Bible study – Wednesdays at 6 p.m.

Golden Age Ministry – first and third Wednesday of each month.

Special upcoming events:

Annual Hoops For Jesus Tournament – March 16-18.

Women’s Day – April 9.

Spring Youth Revival – April 3-5.

Prayer Breakfast – April 15.

Southwest Region 1 Christian Education Conference – April 28-29.

Family and Friends Day – April 30.

Calendar Tea – June 4.

East Mississippi Baptist State Congress of Christian Education – June 6-9.

Men’s Day – July 9.

Homecoming – Aug. 27.

Fall Revival – Aug. 28-30.

Homecoming is always a special time because former members come back and are part of the service. The members especially enjoy the Calendar Tea. This event was born out of the vision of Rev. A.D. Lewis. It is a special day where each month is recognized with a decorative table and food items one might prepare for that time of year. To make it even more challenging, each month has a monetary obligation to achieve, and everyone is eager to come out on top – lots of fun, food, and spiritual fellowship.

Cheryl Owens coordinates Worship Site Profiles, which appear each Saturday in The Meridian Star. To recommend your site, email cowens@themeridianstar.com.