Church History
History of Greater Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church

In April 1880 a small group of Christian pioneers met near Black Jack, six miles north of Lebanon, to organize a Baptist Church. A log cabin served as the church meeting place. The church relocated to Lebanon with services held house-to-house until a small frame building was erected at 423 West Dee Street in 1907. The church was named Second Baptist and became a member of the Wood River District. The church’s name was changed to Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in 1910, and in 1919 the church helped to establish the New Salem District as part of the Illinois Baptist General State Convention, affiliated with the National Baptist Convention, Inc.
Through the years, a series of pastors led Mt. Olive’s growth and expansion, to include renovations and additions to the church building as well as the purchase of property to the east of the church. The church was extensively renovated during the early 1960’s, and in 1978, under the leadership of Rev. Willie C. Brown, the church mortgage was paid-off. His death that same year left unfulfilled his often stated desire to fulfill the urgent need for a new church building.
In 1979, Rev. W.J. Griffin was installed as the 16th pastor of Mt. Olive. Under God’s provi-dence, he presented a plan for a new church to the congregation, and in 1980 at its centennial anniversary, ground was broken, and the church was renamed The Greater Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Construction of the new edifice began in 1984, and in a spirit of true community, coordinated by Bro. Landall Mack, members of Mt. Olive, family members, and friends joined together in a labor of love. The Sanctuary was completed in 1985, and the first worship service was held on the first Sunday in December.
In April 1998, in conjunction with the 118th Church Anniversary celebration, the mortgage loan initiated in 1985 was retired seven years in advance of the amortization schedule. To accommodate growth and future expansion, the church acquired the property immediately adjacent and west of the church in 2004 and completed a parking lot expansion project in 2006. Through mission-minded leaders, Pastor Griffin reorganized the Youth Department and nurtured the advent and growth of Praise Dancers, Mimes, Drill team, and Little Stompers. The new youth programs complemented the youth choir, ushers, and deacons and placed renewed emphasis on Youth Leadership each third Sunday. Under the calling of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Griffin has shepherded more than 51 young men and women through the pathways that Jesus established in the 28th chapter of Matthew to “go into the world and preach the gospel”. Several have gone on to become pastors.
To further mission and needs of the church in the community, a committee to plan for construction of a Fellowship Hall was established in February 2008. Later that year the sanctuary and other church areas were updated and improved and the property adjacent and east of the church was purchased to accommodate construction of a Fellowship Hall. A capital campaign was launched in March 2009, and a ceremonial groundbreaking was celebrated during the 130th Church Anniversary in 2010. Construction of the Fellowship Hall began in September 2011 with a projected completion date of May 2012. God graciously blessed us to burn the mortgage just seven years after completion. To God be the glory