The Mount Olivet Baptist Church of Saint Paul, Minnesota was founded on March 1, 1922, with services for the 127 charter members held in the home of Reverend T.J. Carr at 499 Saint Anthony Avenue in Saint Paul. At that time, the church was named Saint Paul Independent Baptist Church. It was later changed to Mount Olivet Baptist Church.
Since its inception, many members have been added. There is a great range and depth of the church’s contribution to the spiritual, social, cultural, and economical strength of the community. The congregation is comprised of people from all over the country, many of which have their roots imbedded in the South. Without any doubt, God has used many people to contribute to its creation and greatness. It is impossible to capture within these few lines the many blessings, successes, fears, doubts, trials, tribulations and hopes that are embodied in our history. The following chronology stands as a record of the contribution of its members to Mount Olivet’s growth, achievement and vitality.

ERA: WORSHIP FROM HOME, TO TENT, TO STOREFRONT, TO CHURCH BASEMENT

REVEREND T.J. CARR
The church was organized in the home of Reverend T. J. Carr at 499 Saint Anthony Avenue in Saint Paul Minnesota. Services later moved from his home to a tent in Reverend Carr’s back yard. Continued growth dictated that services be held in a storefront on Rondo Avenue and Kent Streets. Land was purchased at West Central and Mackubin Streets and groundbreaking services were held in August of 1922. Reverend Carr was the architect and builder. The entire church gave of their finances, talents, and labor. After the basement was completed, Reverend Carr resigned.

REVEREND M.J. STEWART
Reverend M.J Stewart succeeded Reverend Carr for a brief pastorate. Church services continued to be held in the basement at West Central and Mackubin Streets.

REVEREND W.B. WOOD (1929-1935)
From Glasco, Kentucky, Reverend Wood was known as our Depression pastor, because he came during the time of the Great Depression. Reverend Wood sought a closer tie with the other Baptist churches within the city and St. Paul Independent Baptist Church became affiliated with the Twin Cities Union and the Minnesota Baptist Association. Under his leadership, the name of the church was changed to Mount Olivet Baptist Church in 1932. Upon completion of his mission, Reverend Wood was called to another church and resigned.

REVEREND J.C. BOTHIC (1935-1939)
Reverend Bothic came from Sioux Falls, South Dakota to pastor Mount Olivet. During his pastorate, there was a spiritual awakening and the membership grew. Mrs. Mable Lee willed Mount Olivet a home at 522 West Central for the church parsonage. Poor health forced Reverend Bothic to resign.

REVEREND C. B. WHEELER (1939-1947)
Reverend Wheeler was from Des Moines, Iowa. He immediately revived the building program. A $2,000.00 mortgage was paid off and plans were set in motion to complete the church. During Reverend Wheeler’s tenure, he established and organized Men’s Day, Women’s Day, the Youth Council and Choir, Dorcas Society and the Three-way Mission Plan.
God called him home on March 13, 1947.

REVEREND D.C. WHITE (1947-1948)
Reverend White was called from Portsmouth, Ohio. He was considered to be a strong gospel preacher. Although we still worshipped in the basement, Reverend White continued to work on the building program with Ivy R. Hagen as Building Chairperson. On Sunday August 18, 1948, the cornerstone was laid and again Mount Olivet began to build. On November 21, 1948, God called another one of our leaders home.

ERA: CHURCH LOCATED AT WEST CENTRAL & MACKUBIN STREETS COMPLETED
REVEREND B.H. HUNTER (1950-1965)
Reverend Hunter was called from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to pastor Mount Olivet. He immediately resumed the building program with Chairperson Albert Shavers. The church was completed and dedicated on August 19, 1951 with Reverend James Milsap and Reverend E.A. Finstrom delivering the dedication messages. Reverend Hunter established the Board of Christian Education and organized the Junior Church. In 1963, the mortgage was burned using the slogan “Debt Free in Sixty-Three”. Reverend Hunter resigned after fifteen years of faithful service.


REVEREND JOHN F. WILLIAMS (1965-1967)
Reverend Williams served as pastor for a short time. During his tenure, the parsonage at 522 West Central was sold for $19, 000.00. He later resigned to organize the Shiloh Baptist Church of Saint Paul.

REVEREND STANLEY R. KING (1967-1971)
Under the leadership of Reverend King, the congregation grew to about 700 members and the youth choir from thirty-five to eighty members. The choir traveled extensively to places such as New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Cleveland, Ohio, Denver, Colorado, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Reverend King left to organize and pastor the Twin City Open Door Fellowship.

OTHER MINISTERS
Reverend J. J. Clayburn, Reverend E.G. Harris, Reverend George Mims and Reverend E. L. McIntosh served Mt. Olivet Baptist church though many trials and tribulations.

ERA: WORSHIPPING IN NEW EDIFICE AT PRESENT LOCATION

REVEREND DR. JAMES W. BATTLE, SR. (1972-1998)
Reverend Battle answered the call to pastor Mount Olivet Baptist Church in June of 1972. A recent graduate of The American Baptist College of Nashville, Tennessee, where he received his B.A. degree, Reverend Battle was highly recommended by the Dean of Students, Dr. J Lewis Powell. A native of Huntsville, Alabama, he then moved his family to Saint Paul. Reverend Battle was installed as pastor of Mount Olivet Baptist Church on September 17, 1972. Reverend Julius R. Scruggs, pastor of Antioch Church of East Chicago, Indiana, delivered the dedication message.
Reverend Battle immediately recognized the need for additional space in which to worship, especially on special days. Plans were initiated to build a new church. Brother Carl Walker served as chairperson of the building committee. The church purchased two acres of land, and the groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 28, 1973.
Rev. Battle received a Masters of Divinity Degree from Luther Seminary of Saint Paul and a Doctorate of Ministry Degree from the United Seminary in New Brighton, Minnesota.
Rev. Battle organized the 8:00 AM worship service. He revived the bible classes and instituted Family night. Under the coordination of his lovely wife Elnora, the Children’s Story became a regular part of Sunday worship service. As the church grew spiritually, many auxiliaries were added, such as: The Brotherhood, Nursing Unit, Advisory Briefing Committee for New Members, Personnel Committee, Matron’s Society, Voices of Praise Choir, Nominating Committee, Spiritual Board, Black History Awareness Month, Youth Recognition Sunday, and the Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Fund provides graduating seniors with assistance toward tuition and books for college and trade school. The first scholarship was given in 1973.
An Environmental Learning Center started in 1975 to provide day care for pre-schoolers. This was a joint venture of Reverend Battle and the center’s first director, Woodson Walker. A volunteer tutorial program was in existence for three years under the educational direction of Mrs. Willarene Beasley.
On December 2, 1986, Mount Olivet rededicated the church sanctuary with seat cushions, newly upholstered pulpit furniture and new carpet. One of the most beautiful contributions to the structure is the stained glass window above the pulpit, which was donated by the Senior Citizens of Mount Olivet. During that time, two portable buildings were dedicated for use as part of the educational facility. A new public address system was also installed to accommodate the six choirs and instrumental ensemble. Under Rev. Battle’s leadership, the church purchased a computer, a copy machine, a piano, central air conditioning for the church and parsonage, constructed a parking lot, and put a new roof on the parsonage.
Members are strongly encouraged to attend Sunday School, Bible Study and Prayer Meeting and are a requirement for leaders of any special program or to serve on any boards. Reverend Battle involved the membership in the political growth and interest of the community and nation. He never failed to encourage his membership to vote. He organized the Dr. Martin Luther King March on the State Capitol in 1979. He also established an annual visit between Mount Olivet and Emmanuel Baptist Church in Beloit, Wisconsin.
The annual Black History Awareness Month held during the month of February hosted many activities including the Family workshop and a Baby Contest featuring twelve beautiful babies. Also, the Queen and King contest netted over 312,000.00. Using the bonding program as a resource for increasing the scholarship fund, $12,500.00 was set aside in bonds for scholarships.
During his tenure, Reverend Dr. James Battle licensed and ordained the following ministers: Reverend Elijah Thigpen, Reverend Matthew Shelton, Reverend Ruth Magler, Reverend Henry Bonner, Reverend Harold Frelix, Reverend Nick Cooper-Lewter, Reverend Henry Martin, Reverend Carl Walker, Reverend J. T Hill, Reverend F. R. Thompson and Reverend Walter Little.
The Memorial Wall was installed to honor those members who worked tirelessly in Mount Olivet. On August 11,1990, the walls were hung in the church sanctuary. On September 16, 1990, the Memorial walls were unveiled and blessed.
The church voted to hire Brother Lorenzo Williams to be the architect and to accept plans for a new expansion. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on Sunday, May 5, 1991. The dedication of the education wing was held on Sunday, February 2, 1992.
Rev. Battle was invited to be part of a Public Policy conference called by Reverend Jessie Jackson in Washington, D.C. on January 30,1995. Rev. Battle was appointed by Governor Arne Carlson to be one of the Commissioners for Martin Luther King celebration.
Rev. Battle was instrumental in bringing, Juan Williams as the speaker for the Martin Luther King celebration. Williams is the author of “Eyes on the Prize”.
Central Avenue was renamed to Rev. Dr. James W. Battle, Sr. Avenue from Dale Street to Western Avenue in May of 1998.
After 26 years of faithful service, Rev. Battle retired in 1998, to live in Newnan, Georgia.

REVEREND JAMES C. THOMS (1998 – present)
Rev. James C. Thomas was called to pastor on May 1, 1998. Rev. Battle worked with Rev. Thomas through October of 1998.
Under Rev. Thomas, our motto became “Ministry is Everything”

DEACON MACEO (ANTOINO) SIMMONS
The last of the Charter Members went home to rest on July 6,1993. Deacon Simmons was a warrior for the Lord. He was faithful and devoted to his family, church and community. He labored at Mt Olivet as the last charter member for 71 years. He served on the Deacon Board for numerous years. He was a Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent of Sunday School, Church Treasurer, Secretary, Church Janitor and a Choir Member.

We are grateful for the struggles and sacrifices of all those pioneers who have paved the way and have gone on before us. We challenge ourselves to be as committed and dedicated as we continue to grow in Christ. The history of Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church reflects the growth of its leaders and its congregation. The church has grown from worshipping in a tent to the current edifice valued at over $753,500.00. Mount Olivet can be looked at as a church that “Reaches up to God and out to you, the people and the community”.