About Us
About Mt. Olive Baptist Church
Mt. Olive Baptist Church was organized in 1923 under the leadership of the late Pastor James Hamilton inside the gates of Semet Solvay Company Plant in Tonawanda, New York In 1924, under the leadership of Pastor Clinton N. Polite, Mt. Olive moved to a location outside of the company gates, at which time Pastor Polite was called to pastor Tremont Temple Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York. He later became Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church.
Pastor Merritt was called to fill the vacancy left by Pastor Polite. Pastor Merritt died in the early 1930’s. After that, Pastor James B. Benton was called to fill the vacancy.
Semet Solvay closed its village, which was home to some of the Mt. Olive parishioners. In 1941, Mt. Olive moved to 571 Clinton Street in Buffalo, New York. The first service was held on the first Sunday of May 1941, with approximately five families. They were the Pitts family, the Collins, the Hatchetts, the Bentons and the Robinson family. Mt. Olive remained at this location for six (6) months before purchasing and moving to 616 Clinton Street, Buffalo, New York.
Mt. Olive Baptist Church was officially incorporated in November 1941. On December 4, 1966, Mt. Olive moved to 629 E. Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, New York, where Pastor Benton served until January 1981. Pastor William Gillison was called to pastor Mt. Olive in June 1981.
In 1983, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, along with Pastor L.T. Boyce and the Calvary Baptist Church, celebrated the mortgage burning of 629 E. Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, New York, two and a half years ahead of schedule.
Pastor William Gillison was given a vision from the Lord in 1984 to build a new church edifice to the Glory of God. How this would be accomplished only God knew. It was through much prayer and seeking God that Pastor Gillison saw the vision begin to unfold. In the words of Solomon, (II Chronicles 2:1) he began to share the vision of his heart, “behold, I will build a house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to Him”. Making full use of Christ’s teaching in Mark 11:23-24, Pastor Gillison and faithful members of the congregation believed faithfully for approximately ten (10) years – it is time to build.
Deuteronomy 1:8, Behold I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to give unto them and their seed after them”.
Church Covenant
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its spirituality and usefulness; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; and to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, and the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings; and faithful in our engagements; to avoid all tattling backbiting and excessive anger; to abstain from the misuse of intoxicating beverage; to shun pornography; to abstain from the use of illicit drugs; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
Each member is encouraged to actively participate in the worship and service of the church; to adhere in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and binding to diligent in the rules of our Savior; to secure its edification.
We moreover engage that, when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other Church where we can carry out the Spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
Take the Time to Memorize the Baptist Covenant
Are You A Good Samaritan?
The parable of the Good Samaritan, recorded in Luke 10:25-37, is a favorite of many Christians. With this parable Jesus told about a man who had been beaten, robbed and left for dead somewhere between Jerusalem and Jericho. While a Jewish priest and a Levite passed by together to continue to church, a victim, a Samaritan went out of his way to help the man. He was known individually because a person needed to be assisted. He treated the wounded as best he could and lifted him on his own donkey and took him to an inn. There the wounded man could rest, have clean bandages, food, and the care he needed. Before the next morning the owner of the caring traveler seen in the silver coins gave to him to pay for the needed help and his promise to return. He invited himself into the interchange and the resources of the inn to provide the best possible care for his “neighbor.”
Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan to answer the question “who is my neighbor?” In the local church we are the network for many Christians involved in helping each other in need. We are the minds of the person wherever in the world it is needed. The resources available in the church are much greater than one person could provide, acting alone. When God gathers people together into church, they are a variety of gifts, skills, interests, personalities and talents. Many of the greatest needs presented in a church are met by the commitment of those who choose to become connected with others, expressed in words as well as prayers of confidence and caring love. Helped many Christians survive difficult experiences, become healthy again, and transfer the faith.
Each member is encouraged to be actively involved in Sunday School classes, discipleship training groups, action groups, and other groups of the church influencing your relationship if you know one another better. You also get a chance to form friendships. Every church is filled with people who have had many worthy experiences and helped one another grow. When Christians belong to an active church community, every individual has opportunities to help others by accepting them into their community to receive help in their daily journey of faith and to enjoy the joy of helping others grow. However, you are in the life of your church. If you are already involved, if not, GET INVOLVED. Are you a Good Samaritan? Pastor Dwayne Gillison, Sr.
