In 1923, the Mt. Olive Baptist Church was organized under the leadership of the late Reverend James Hamilton inside the gates of Semet Solvay Company Plant.  

In 1924, the under the leadership of Reverend Clinton N. Polite, the Church was moved outside of the Company gates, at which time Pastor Polite was called to pastor the Tremont Temple Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York and later became Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Buffalo, New York.

Reverend Merritt was called to fill the vacancy left by Reverend Polite.  Reverend Merritt died in the early 1930's and Reverend James B. Benton became the next Pastor.

In 1941, Semet Solvay closed its village where some of the parishioners resided and Mt. Olive moved to 571 Clinton Street in Buffalo, New York and held its first service on the 1st Sunday in May, 1941 with approximately five families, to wit: Benton, Collins, Hatchett, Pitts and Robinson.  The Church remained at this location for six months before purchasing and moving to 616 Clinton Street, Buffalo, New York.  

In November 1941, the Church was incorporated.  On December 4, 1966, Mt. Olive moved to 629 East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, New York where Reverend Benton served until January 1981.

In June 1981, Pastor William Gillison was called to pastor Mt. Olive.  Under Pastor Gillison's leadership our Church has grown spiritually, financially and numerically.  Since 1981 through Pastor Gillison's guidance and being led by the Holy Spirit, the following Ministries were organized and brought to fruition:

• New Membership Ministry
• New Membership Class
• Mt. Olive Inspirational Mass Choir
• Male Chorus
• Marketing Ministry
• Theatre Workshop
• Take Time To Care
• Audio/Video Ministry
• Prison Ministry
• Mt. Olive Development Corp., a not-for-profit faith based corporation

In 1983, Mt. Olive Baptist Church along with Pastor L. T. Boyce and his congregation, celebrated the mortgage burning of 629 East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, New York, two and one half years ahead of schedule.

In 1984, a vision from the Lord was given to Pastor William Gillison to build a new edifice to the Glory of God.  How this would be accomplished only God would know.  However, through much prayer and seeking God, the vision began to unfold.  

With his natural eyes he saw the existing conditions, limitations and constraints.  He saw approximately 100 members in one Sunday morning service, in a half-empty building with no funds and no land.  However, through God's eyes, He allowed Pastor Gillison to see abundance and possibilities.  God showed him the land he would build on; a very large sanctuary filled with people-using kingdom principles, then He gave him a plan to acquire funds.  

In the words of Solomon (II Chronicles 2:1) he began to share the vision and his heart "behold, I will build a house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to Him".  Making full use of Christ's teaching in Mark 11:23-24, Pastor Gillison and the faithful members of the congregation said for almost ten years, "it is time to build".  

In February 1988, Mt. Olive Baptist Church purchased three and one half acres of land located at 701 East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, New York and in August 1988, the Church held its Dedication and Worship Service on the land.  In 1992, an additional one and one half acres of land was purchased giving the Church a total of five acres of land.

With continued faithfulness, prayers and contributions, the work was ready to begin.  In December 1993, the site work began (clearing of the land, excavation, grading and pouring the foundation, etc.).  In April 1984, building construction began.  Remaining faithful to the cause, Mt. Olive Baptist Church completed construction on their new Edifice in October 1995.  To commemorate and celebrate the completion of its new Church, Mt. Olive held its first Black Tie Affair at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Buffalo, New York.

On October 28, 1995, one glorious Saturday morning, the Mt. Olive Baptist Church congregation marched from 629 East Delavan to 701 East Delavan, Buffalo, New York into their beautiful Edifice; and on October 29, 1995 we held our first Sunday worship service.  Presently, Mt. Olive holds two services on Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Since moving to our new location, the following accomplishments have been achieved:

• Lawn Care Ministry
• Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts
• Young Men's Fellowship
• Scholarship Ministry
• Hospitality Ministry
• Mt. Olive Sanctuary Choir
• The Gospel Rhythm Show
• Purchase of 702 E. Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, New York
• Purchase of 917-921 E. Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, New York
• Expansion of Mt. Olive Development Corp.*

*[FBS] Family-Faith Based Services is a home-based program, which provides services to at-risk families and is funded by the William B. Hoyt Children and Family Memorial Trust Fund and administered by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

*The Growth Opportunity Learning & Development Program [GOLD] is a federally funded quality after-school program designated for school-aged children grades Kindergarten through 8th; offering academic tutoring, computer classes, arts & crafts, recreation, mentoring and many other activities for youth.

In our future we will be doing more in Missions, both Home and Foreign.  We will continue to build on our present Outreach Ministries to the least and the lost.  Our efforts will intensify in helping our children prepare for a better quality of life.

At the same time we will be restoring and improving this House of God.  Presently, we are looking at plans to build a Family Life Center and create an atrium in the front while looking for more land to possess.

Deuteronomy 1:8 "Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD swear unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!