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Founding and Early Beginnings

In 1892, the First Lynnhaven Baptist Church and Big Piney Grove Baptist Church granted permission to Americus Morgan, Enoch Morgan, and Moses Snowden to establish the first Black church in the Seatack community. Mrs. Sarah Pelton, the grandmother of Deacon Eugene Gayle, approached her employers, the Jarvis family, for land to build Mount Olive. The Jarvis family generously donated one acre of property, now the site of Mount Olive Baptist Church.

The initial structure was a simple, square, one-room white building with an “A” type roof. Two potbellied stoves were positioned on either side of the sanctuary, and oil lamps attached to the walls illuminated the space. With its completion, Mount Olive Baptist Church began its

spiritual mission.

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Sunday School and Early Education

The church’s first Sunday school class was held in June 1894. Children used 3x4 picture cards with their lessons printed on them. At the time, glue was considered a luxury, so starch mixed with water served as an alternative adhesive for arts and crafts projects.

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Pastoral Leadership and Worship

Rev. Mitts, pastor of First Lynnhaven Baptist Church, visited Mount Olive on the second and fourth Sundays to lead worship until the church appointed its first pastor, Rev. Ed Smith, who faithfully served for twenty-one years.

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Community and Growth

The original church building was used for worship for eleven years. From 1908 to 1910, Mrs. Sarah Parsons Daughtry opened the first elementary school for Black children in the church building, renting the space for $1.50 per month.

Mount Olive Baptist Church’s cornerstone was dedicated in 1908, and the current building was constructed adjacent to the old white church.

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Expanding Ministries and Activities

By 1925, Mount Olive had 24 Sunday school officers, and by March 1928, attendance had grown to sixty-seven, with eight classes reporting. In 1943, Harry Robinson, Phil Gassoway, and Raymond King secured a charter for the church’s first Boy Scout Troop.

In 1944, the Communion Service was moved from the first to the fourth Sunday. Mrs. Sarah Hall, appointed as the first Mother of the Church, began her service in the early 1940s.

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Music and Leadership

Mrs. Sarah P. Daughtry and Mrs. Virginia Capps organized the first Senior Choir. Mrs. Ira Daughtry Watkins, who served as pianist until 1996, began the first Sunday School. Early organists were Mr. Johnnie Moore, Mrs. Sarah P. Daughtry, and Mrs. Lee Capps.

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Pastoral Service and Church Development

Rev. W.P. Jones was called as a part-time pastor in 1945. Other devoted pastors included Reverend Jacob Gaskins, Madison Wright, Monroe E. Gherst, I. W. C. Melts, and W.E. Smith. Early deacons were Moses Snowden, Americus Morgan, Enoch Morgan, Andrew Hurdle, Deacon Hall, Isaac Daughtry, and Ben Johnson.

Under Rev. W.P. Jones’ leadership, the church was bricked and expanded based on Rev. Clarence Morgan's design, including the addition of balconies.

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Christian Education and Community Outreach

Mount Olive sponsored the first daily Vacation Bible School for Blacks in Virginia Beach, with Mrs. Lola Williams Morgan and Mrs. Lola Morgan Gordon as directors. The Board of Christian Education was established in 1948, led by Mrs. Lola M. Gordon.

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Modern Era and Community Involvement

Dr. Milton Reid, a noted Civil Rights leader and community activist, became pastor in 1953. His tenure marked the development of new community ministries. Deaconess Ruth Gayle started the Pastor’s Aide Committee, Mrs. Virginia Olds organized and advised the Youth Ushers, Mrs. Flossie M. Isler served as president of Usher Board #2, Mr. Preston Watkins and Mr. Alfred Morgan founded the Male Chorus, and Mrs. Sadie Daughtry Shaw established the Jewels Club to serve church seniors.

Mount Olive Baptist Church hosted meetings for the Virginia Beach Christian Leadership Conference, affiliated with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Independent Voting League of Seatack, a grassroots political organization, was started at Mount Olive in the 1970s.

Subsequent pastors included Reverends T.M. Walker (the first minister to live in the parsonage), L. W. Chase, Harry L. Batts, W. Mails Crews, and Jerome C. Ross.

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Education Initiatives and Continued Growth

In September 1973, Mrs. Ira D. Watkins started the first school for unwed teenagers at Mount Olive, which operated until June 1986. Rev. Jerome C. Ross became the twelfth pastor on December 2, 1983.

Deacon and Mrs. Preston Watkins inaugurated the Food Bank Ministry in 1984, and in 1985, the fifth Sunday was designated Youth Sunday. Mrs. Evelyn D. Etheridge started the Youth Outreach Hospitality Team Ministry, providing school supplies and financial gifts for Mount Olive students.

The 1990s saw the construction of a long-awaited fellowship hall and the remodeling of the sanctuary. The church was re-dedicated on October 21, 1990, and Mrs. Etheridge launched the Plant and Flower Ministry to enhance the new fellowship hall.

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Recent Developments and Ministries

Rev. Ross created a church motto, adding biblical identification: “Mount Olive Baptist Church, A people and place of Prayer” (Mark 14:26).

Rev. Lamont D. Brown was called as pastor and delivered his first sermon on Easter Sunday, April 14, 1995. He added “The Cathedral in the Community” to the church's motto and developed the “Nehemiah 200” project.

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In June 1999, the church burned its mortgage during the 105th Anniversary Celebration Worship Service. Mrs. Evelyn D. Etheridge launched the fifth Sunday Youth Devotion Ministry and the annual Evangelistic Workshop.

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By April 2004, the church had a new parking lot, stove, warmer, ice machine, air conditioner, and sound system. In 2006, Sister Renita Inmon and others reorganized the Senior Ministry, hosting theatre and boat trips, ice cream socials, and visits to homebound members. That same year, Sister Kathy Waters founded the Senior Praise Dance Ministry.

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In 2009, Sister B. Gail Stickney and Sister Kataha Roberson combined the Children, Youth, and Young Adult Choirs, naming them the Youth Praise Ensemble.

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On November 4, 2014, the Reverend Jason N. Knight became Senior Pastor. Under his leadership, several church organizations were revitalized and renamed. Pastor Knight developed a mission for Mount Olive Baptist Church to provide AUTHENTIC WORSHIP, MEANINGFUL FELLOWSHIP, BIBLICAL DISCIPLESHIP, and IMPACTING OUTREACH, equipping members to advance the Kingdom of God (Matthew 28:18-29, John 4:14).

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