According to old newspaper articles in the colored-section of the paper, Mount Olivet Baptist had its beginning in an old tool shack across the Appomattox River sometime in the year 1900. As years passed on so did the growth of the church. Old records indicate that Mount Olivet moved its location several times to accommodate the growth in membership. Since its start in the old tool shack, Mount Olivet has been located on High street; on Gill street (now Farmer street); on the corner of Market and Halifax streets and now to its present location at 800 Augusta Avenue.

Over the years, God sent his mighty shepherds to lead his flocks. Those shepherds have been Rev. T.M. Bowman; Rev. A.B. Callis; Rev. Jones; Rev. E.E. hicks; Rev. Dr. L.C. Johnson; Rev. C.R. Tarrance (Interim); Rev. Melvin D. Cutler; Rev. C.R. Tarrance (Interim Pastor); and at present our beloved pastor, Rev. Wesley Keith McLaughlin.

The Lord God Almighty has truly blessed and showed favor to Mount Olivet. In November, 1954, Mount Olivet moved to the Market and Halifax Streets location. The Lord had brought the church from an old tool shack; potbelly coal-burning stoves and kerosene lamps to: central air conditioning; central heat; closed-circuit television; wall-to-wall carpet; chandeliers; radio and television broadcasts; an elevator for the handicapped and a membership of over 1600.

While at the Market and Halifax Streets location, the Mount Olivet Baptist Church, again, outgrew its edifice. In 1993, the pastor, Rev. Wesley K. McLaughlin, shared with the church a vision given to him by the Lord to “build a larger church.” A Thanks-Gift Offering Committee was established and gift offerings were given by church members and friends for the building of a new church. Mount Olivet purchased twenty-one (21) acres of land at the old fairgrounds located between Farmer street and Augusta Avenue for the church’s new location.

In March, 1997, the pastor and the church family marched to the site of the new church for a ground breaking ceremony. On, Saturday, July 18, 1998, the Mount Olivet Baptist Church family marched to its new edifice. The march route started from the parking lot of the Market and Halifax Streets location to Farmer Street to South Street to Lee Avenue and from there to 800 Augusta Avenue. Marchers pushed babies in strollers and there was even a bicycle built for two in the procession rode by the Edwards Brothers Joseph and Martin. Marchers marched singing songs of praise. The March came to a stop, for a moment, on Lee Avenue as one of the oldest members of the church, Sister Mary Bell Focie was brought out on her porch to encourage the marchers on.

The first worship service held at the 800 Augusta Avenue location was on Sunday, July 19, 1998. Pastor McLaughlin's 11:00 a.m. sermon was, “This is the day that the Lord hath Made.” A Jubilee / Pre-dedication Service was held on Sunday, August 2, 1998 and it was preached by the Rev. Cardis Brown, pastor of the New Light Baptist Church, Greensboro, North Carolina.

The Lord again has blessed Mount Olivet Baptist Church with a larger sanctuary with a 2200 seating capacity; two large projection screens on both sides of the pulpit; a state-of-the-art kitchen; a choir loft that seats 150 and a separate choir rehearsal suite; about thirteen (13) Sunday School classrooms; six (6) office spaces; a conference room; a control booth for taping. These are just a few of the blessing Mount Olivet has received in their new church building.

A cornerstone laying Service was held at the “Glory of God.” God is not through with Mount Olivet Baptist Church yet, and the testimony will continue.