Humble beginnings 1906—1907

Mr. & Mrs John W. Wilson, owners of the house at 3268 East 126^th Street (then known as Treadwell Avenue, Newburgh Township), opened up their home for a prayer meeting. Mr. Wilson, sent by the City Mission, organized a Christian Group in Mt. Pleasant because limited transportation made it difficult for the people to regularly attend worship service at other churches. Some of the people who made up that prayer meeting were members of Shiloh and other Baptist Churches throughout the city. From this group the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Society was formed.

Off to a running start—June 1907

Mr. Yewell from Triedstone Baptist Church was a key player in getting some of the members to purchase land nearby. On June 11, 1907, the first
Warranty Deed was issued by Augusta Jarger to Charles Preston Reeves, Trustee of the first Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. The cost was $175 and a small wooden structure was constructed (24 ft x 40 ft) which was the first Black church on record in the Mt. Pleasant Community.  Rev. Boston J. Prince of the Shiloh Baptist Church preached the sermon at the cornerstone laying ceremony. It was shortly after that cere­mony that the name of the church was changed to Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Dandridge from Mt. Ha­ven Baptist Church was instrumental in setting up Mt. Olive.

Shepherds   of   the Flock 1907-1930

The first pastor of record was Rev. John Mitchell who served nearly seven years for the Mt. Pleasant community.

During his leadership, Rev. J.R. Yewell was ordained to the ministry. During the next fifteen years, the following seven pastors served: Rev. H.D. Brown, Rev. J.D. Woodson, Rev. J. D. Kent, Rev. Varn, Rev. JJ. Redman, Rev, B. Ter­rell (1923-29) and Rev. W. R. Freeman (1929-30). Under Rev. Redman's pas­torate, an additional lot was purchased.