In the year of 1899 the first Mt. Olive Baptist Church was organized and named in a Brush Harbor on the spot where the Lillie Burney Elementary School now stands. It was organized with members borrowed from the East Jerusalem Baptist Church of this city. The first Pastor was Elder C. W. Craig. After his resignation, Revered Brown of New Orleans, Louisiana was called as pastor.

Reverend Brown served a very short time and Elder L. L. Lee of Edwards, Mississippi was called. Under his leadership a church was built. His pastorage was very successful. Upon his resignation, Reverend J. H. Sims of Hattiesburg was called as pastor and pastored a few years. Reverend W. E. Solid of Hattiesburg was our next pastor and remained until his death until 1923. Between the pastorage Reverend Sims and Reverend Solid, the church was in the midst of being rebuilt when it was destroyed by a storm. After being rebuilt it was struck by lightening and destroyed once again.

During the illness of Reverend Solid, Reverend W. T. Martin, a member of this church, carried on the services. Reverend Martin worked hard without pay and at the same time played his part as any other member of this congregation. After Reverend Solid died, Reverend Martin was called to preach. He served a very short time.

In 1924, Reverend G. Kelly of Richton, Mississippi was called to pastor. Under his leadership, the Mt. Olive Baptist Church turned over a new lead in spiritual growth and the membership increased.

Reverend F. C. Shoemaker of Bogalusa, Louisiana was called to pastor. During his eleventh year the church was burned to ground. After the church was destroyed by fire, a division came between the pastor and members. The pastor and most of the members of the church left and organized the Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church. Again Reverend W. T. Martin gathered the members and remained here.

Reverend Martin made plans and guided the people and soon built another small church. The membership grew and the members that had gone away returned. Reverend L. Johnson of Pass Christian, Mississippi was called to pastor. He soon retired because of age and health.

Reverend H. P. Williams of Prichard, Alabama was soon called to pastor. During his pastorage the church was remodeled. The church gained strength and many members were added  in August 1947 and Reverend E. L. Jones was called on October 8, 1947 and the church continued to grow.

On Monday after the fourth Sunday in March, at high noon, some of the members and the Pastor dismantled the boards to get started on the present building. The members joyfully continued to work under the leadership of Pastor Jones. On the fourth Sunday, at eleven o’clock in the morning in August 1957, we proudly marched into this building praying for strength and love to continue to progress. After 28 years of faithful service, on August 23, 1974, Reverend Jones resigned his position as shepherd of the flock. Again the church was without a pastor until January 12, 1975 when Reverend Johnny Armstrong became pastor. When taking the helm as captain of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Reverend Armstrong stated: “knowing that it would be tossed by rough waters and swaying winds and ebbing tides; but with Jesus as the guiding light, the ship would safely reach her shore. May the Lord ever bless and keep us all.”  But after three years of service, Pastor Johnny Nelson Armstrong resigned his position as pastor in March 1978. 


Reverend F. L. Woods was called to lead the flock. He assumed duties as pastor in September 1978 and led until his resignation on July 20, 1982. Reverend Arthur L. Siggers became pastor on April 22, 1983.

Under Reverend Siggers leadership, the church has averaged over 100 new members each year. A new educational wing was built and the sanctuary enlarged. The parking lot was also enlarged and paved. Numerous new ministries within the church have been developed. In 1993, a daycare was started. In 1996, Mt. Olive Baptist Church planted its first church, Glory Land Mission Church under the leadership of Reverend David Scott. In 1998, West Point Baptist Church, Mt. Olive’s second planted church, opened its door for Thursday night Bible Study under the leadership of Reverend Marcus Cathey. Today West Point has Sunday Service. In 1998 Mt. Olive established Mercy House Boy’s Therapeutic Group Home. In 1999, a new fellowship hall was completed. Mt. Olive under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is still Kingdom building.