Our History

Mt. Olive Baptist Church History

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 Yo 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 swore unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give unto them and their seed after them.

In February 1988, Mt. Olive purchased three and a half acres of land located at 701 E. Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, New York, and in August 1988, held its dedication service on the land to give God thanks. In 1992, an additional one and a half acres were purchased giving the Church a total of five acres. Building construction began in 1994. Remaining faithful to the cause, Mt. Olive completed construction of their new edifice in October 1995.

On Saturday, October 28, 1995, the congregation marched from 629 E. Delavan to 701 E. Delavan, Buffalo, New York and on October 29, 1995 held its first Sunday worship service in the new Church. By the grace of God, what should have been a thirty (30) year mortgage was paid off in December 2001, twenty-four (24) years ahead of schedule.

Under Pastor Gillison’s leadership, Mt. Olive Baptist Church has grown spiritually, financially, and numerically. In the early 1990’s, the Mt. Olive Development Corporation, an entity of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, was formed. Under the direction of Pastor Gillison, Mt. Olive has also purchased two (2) church vans, a bus and a pick-up truck. Through Pastor Gillison’s guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit, the following ministries were formed: Inspirational Mass Choir, Male Chorus, Marketing Ministry, Greeters Ministry, Theater Workshop, Audio Video Ministry, Men and Young Men’s Fellowship, Take Time To Care Ministry, Widows and Widowers’ Ministry, Prison Ministry, Lawn Care Ministry, Sanctuary Choir, Scholarship Ministry, Hospitality Ministry, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, New Membership Ministry, the Ensemble Ministry, Super Readers Club, Women Extraordinaire, Just Us For Him and Christian Education Department. In 2006, Mt. Olive held its first Thanksgiving Community Dinner. Mt. Olive’s first Leadership School, which is recognized by the National Baptist Convention Incorporated USA, was held in October 2007, and on November 11, 2007, six (6) Deacons were crowned.

Under Pastor Gillison’s leadership, Mt. Olive purchased several pieces of property while still owning 629 E. Delavan Avenue, and constructed an atrium at the current location. The above real estate properties and atrium were paid in full in a very timely manner.

One of the goals of Mt. Olive is to increase its mission ministry, both foreign and at home, as we continue to build on our present outreach ministries to the least and the lost. To God Be the Glory!!