Mount Olive Baptist Church 3.25

After many years of going back and forth across the St. Marys River on foot logs to Zion Sisters Baptist Church in Greenville, Georgia, it was decided to organize a church that was closer to home. In 1873, the dismissal was given and the church now known as Mt. Olive Baptist Church was organized. The first Pastor was Reverend Jim McGee, who served for many years. In 1958 it was decided that we
would build another building, a much more comfortable place to worship. The Reverend J.L. Hall became the pastor with a membership of 82 in 1959. On May 27, 1962, the cornerstone was laid and on June of the same year we moved into our new church with all expenses paid. In 1975 the old church was renovated and converted into a dining hall. In 1994, the lord blessed us to do improvements on his edifice by furnishing a new Pastor's Study and the ground breaking for our new fellowship hall. In 1995 we were blessed with the completion and dedication of our fellowship hall and the renovation our our present sanctuary.
Mt. Olive Baptist Church is a small baptist church in the historical community of Kings Ferry, Florida a small rural community on the outskirts of Hilliard, Florida in Nassau County. We are currently under the leadership of Reverend Lorenzo Watson who has been the Pastor of the church since May of 1998 and his wife Sister Olivia Watson is our First Lady. We've been under the leadership of many God fearing Shepard's over the years in the beginning we had Rev. Jim McGee, Reverend J.L. Hall of Jacksonville, Florida who was the Pastor from (1959-1972) and resigned due to health failure. The Lord then sent Rev. G.W. Givens of Jacksonville, Florida who served as the Pastor from (1972-1975), the Lord did not bring us this far to leave us, the Reverend Lathan Jones of Callahan, Florida served as Acting Pastor for the remainder of 1975 and Pastor from (1976-1986). After his resignation we the Lord sent us Reverend Joseph James who served for a year as Pastor (1986-1987). during his tenure one of our very own members at the time Deacon Jerald J. Thomas was called by God to PREACH and PROCLAIM the gospel of Jesus Christ he served as Acting Pastor for the remainder of 1987 and was installed as Pastor in February of 1988 and served as Pastor from (1988-1992) under the leadership of Reverend Jerald J. Thomas we were blessed with the dedication of our baptism pool and curtains. The Reverend Jeremiah Robinson, Jr. of Jacksonville, Florida who also served as Acting Pastor of the church for the remainder of 1992 and Pastor for four years(1993-1997). Under the leadership of Reverend Robinson bible study and prayer service increased with young people in the church being more active. the Youth Choir was reorganized in March of 1993 under the direction of Sister Dorothy Thompson with Deacon Willie Thomas serving as the new church pianist, Annual Youth Revival was implemented and set aside for the month of March, church trips during the summer, church workshops, the groundbreaking for the new fellowship hall and the renovating of the church that included a new Pastor's Study and the land being cleared for the new parking lot. , Youth Day was set aside for every third Sunday of each month with the Youth Choir serving, new carpet and upright piano were purchased. Also, Mt Olive participated and sponsored in several Hoop It Up basketball tournaments with other churches in the communities and Vacation Bible School was set aside for every summer in the month of June.
Under the leadership Pastor Watson leadership we've changed from church service being two Sunday's out of the month to every Sunday, Church sign added to the driveway, front parking lot paved, two new members ordained as deacons, tape ministry, church van purchased, Youth Department purchased shed for van, new roof, land being cleared for more cemetery space, new pews and carpet were purchased and donated by the family of the late Alphonso Thompson, Jr. Youth Choir reorganized, church and fellowship hall repainted with new rails for church steps and ramp as well as new rails along choir and deacon stands and choir and deacon loft, church alarm system was also added. With the help of the Lord we are still pressing on in the name of Jesus. Mount Olive Baptist Church is "The CHURCH where EVERYBODY is SOMEBODY and JESUS is in CHARGE".