Church History

1883   May 4, MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH was organized by the late Rev. John 

            Kennedy, Rev. G. W. Brown and fifteen members on Shreve Island Plantation.

            The church was erected near the river where it remained until the land changed

            hands. The church was torn down and moved to Sand Beach, now known as Dixie   

  
            Garden. The church was destroyed by fire.  The members stood together, worked

            and prayed for another building.

1895   Another building was erected under the leadership of Rev. R. Law.

1905   The cornerstone was laid by the Masonic Lodge No. 5905, Brother John L. Lewis,
            GRANDMASTER.

1923   The church purchased three acres of land for a cemetery site off the Mt. Zion Road.

1927   The church was again destroyed by fire.

1928   In June the first service was held in the new building celebrating its 47th
            Anniversary. On June 4th, the cornerstone was re-laid. The church moved forward
            with much success, ups and downs and the passing of many faithful members.

1942   The church was destroyed by lightening.  The First Baptist Church, Pastor and
            Members opened their hearts and doors.

1943   The cornerstone was again re-laid by the Universal Grand Lodge A F & M, Brother
            T. J. Hawkins, Grand Master.

1957-58   The church purchased two (2) lots to the left of its property.

1969   The church was remodeled for the comfort of its members.

1972   The mortgage on the church was paid in full.

1974   The house next to the church was purchased for use as a Fellowship Hall.

1981   Members of the MT. OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH were without a leader.  Through
            prayers of the members and with the Lord’s arms around them, He sent the
            Rev. Horace L. Ellis.

1982   The church purchased eleven (11) lots from the Harris Subdivision and a fifteen
            passenger van. A Scholarship Fund was established for the church’s youth.
           
1985   A parking Lot was completed on the lots previously purchased.
           
1992   The charter was filed.  On April 25th. Reverend Dwayne E. Butler was called to be
            pastor of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Shreveport.

1993   A new copy machine was purchased  3 Deacons were ordained—George Gardner,
            Charles Thrash, and the late Benny Joe Davis. 5 were baptized, 5 renewed
            membership, 3 by letter.

1994   6 were baptized, 1 renewed membership, 3 by letter.

1995   6 were baptized, 8 by letter.

1996   1 baptized, 3 renewed membership, 1 by letter

1997   Jan. -June, 3 were baptized.
            June 23rd, we were once again without a leader and through much prayer, the Lord             led us to call Bernard Kimble to be our new leader.

1998   June 1997-May 1998, 65 souls were added to the
             church through, Baptism (27), Restoration (8), Christian experience (5) and in View
             of Letters (25) from other churches.

 The following ministries have been added to the church:

 Nurse’s Guild, Sound and Tape Ministry, Homebound Ministry, Greeting Ministry,  Member Orientation,  Honorary Deacons Ministry, Intercessory Prayer, a Newsletter (The Olive Leaf), Nursery, Praise Singer, and Praise Dancers

Jan. 25th, Deacon Fortune Hart was added to the Honorary Board.-Deacon E. C.   Casey. Was appointed to the Honorary Deacons Ministry and served as 1st Chairman of that Ministry

May, 1998 - Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Shreveport held its first Community   Health Fair, sponsored by Usher Board II.

August 16th, Brother Anthony Bernard Kimble confessed his calling to the Ministry  and preached his first sermon September 13th.

 September 15, James Ruben, Jr. Was ordained as Deacon.
 In December, the first Debutantes for Christ Pageant was held.                                   

1999   January - The Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Shreveport held its first Annual
             Women’s Conference.

             January 24th, Deacon Allen Johnson was added to the Honorary Deacons’ Board.
             A GMC Van was purchased.

             Deacons in Training:  Brother William Griffin, Sr. Brother Freddie Henry Sr.
                                                  Brother Scottie Thompson

             May 1998 to May 1999, 42 souls have been added to the church through Baptism   
             (12), Restoration (10), and by Letter (20).

             New Ministries are:  Men Discipleship Ministry, Ministers Alliance, Job Referral
                                                Bank

October 28th William Griffin Sr., Freddie Henry Sr., Scottie Thompson were ordained as Deacons

November 7th -the grounds for the future sire of he new church building were dedicated during the Annual Homecoming Celebration.

November 22nd -the last lot was purchased giving the Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Shreveport complete ownership of the entire block, bound by Harris St., Rentur, Turner Ln. and Liberty St.

December 21st the contract was signed to begin the design work for our new worship center.

The following new Ministries have been added: Men Discipleship Ministry, Ministers Alliance, Job Referral Bank, Media Coordinator, and Security Coordinator.

January 20th the first 5th Sunday 8:00 a.m. Hour of Power, Contemporary Praise and

Worship Service was held.

March 26th Brother Al’Taurus George confessed his calling to the Ministry and preached his first sermon May 14, 2000.

May 1999-May 2000 28 new souls were added: Baptism (1); Restoration (3); and Letter (24).

May 7th the artist rendering of the new worship center was unveiled.

October 15, 2000 Ground breaking for the new worship center was held.

October 19th, 2000 began construction on the new worship center.

January 9th The Olive Branch Ministries, and outreach ministry of the Mt. Olive

Baptist Church of Shreveport was founded.

January 28th Brother Charles Jordan confessed his calling to the Ministry and preached his first sermon, March 4, 2001.

February 15th Brother Frank Taylor, Jr. confessed his calling to the Ministry and preached his first sermon March 18, 2001

May 2000-May 2001, 37 new souls were added: Baptism (7); Restoration (3); and Letter (27)

June 30th Ministers Anthony Kimble and Al’Taurus George were ordained.

July 15th Brother Montrell Gaddison confessed his calling to the Ministry and preached his first sermon August 23, 2001.

August 26th Brother Lorenza Bell III confessed his calling to the Ministry and preached his first sermon September 27, 2001.

November 25th Brother Ricky Taylor announced his calling to the ministry and preached his 1st sermon on December 27, 2001

2002   January 31st One acre tract of land on Turner Lane was donated to the church by Sis. Hattie Blount and Sis. Josephine Ruben and Family.

February 17th- February 24th Entrance and Dedication Celebration for new east sanctuary was held.

March 10th first Baptism in the new sanctuary – Bro. Howard Roberson and Sis. Peggy Willis.

April 12th The first wedding ceremony was held in the new sanctuary with the marriage of Freddie Henry, Jr. and Mequila James

May 11th 1st Homegoing service held in the new sanctuary – Sis. Carrie Amos.

May 2001-May 2002 32 new souls were added: Baptism (9), Restoration (6), and Letter (18)

December 25th Deacon Charles Thrash confessed his calling to the ministry and preached his 1st sermon on January 23, 2003.

2003   Upgrades were made to the copier with a new digital copy machine and a color
laser printer.

May 2002-May 2003 42 new souls were added: Baptism (13), Restoration (2), and Letter (27).

June 8th Sister Janice Gardner became the first woman to confess her calling to the ministry and preached her first sermon on July 31, 2003.

July 27th Sister Barbara Demery  became the first licensed & ordained woman minister to unite with us.

August 10th Sisters Carolyn Gipson and Angela Henson confessed their calling to the ministry. Sister Gipson preached her first sermon October 23, 2003 and Sister Henson preached her first sermon December 4, 2003.

August 29th first Men’s Conference was held.

New Ministries added:

August 10th -  Women of Faith

November 13th  - Seniors’ Club (OBM) with Sis. Patricia Thrash as Director

November 15th Sister Lindora Baker became the 1st elected public official from our congregation. Elected Parish Commissioner, District 6.

2004   March 24th Brother Derrell Thrash confessed his calling into the ministry. He was also the first to complete the Minister’s Training.

May 2003-April 2004 50 new souls were added:
Baptism (17); Restoration (4); and Letter (29)

May 30th, Minister Janice Gardner became the first woman minister to become licensed.

July, Message sign was installed at 740 Turner Lane. 

August, Land at corner of Harris Street and Turner Lane was donated from the estate of the late Judge Pike Hall.

September, the first grant from The Foundation of the Mid South was received for Pastoral and Staff development.

October 4th, Sister Jayne Ruben became the first African American woman to hold the position of News Director within Raycom Media, Inc., parent company of KSLA TV station.

October 31st, Minister Barbara Demery received her license to preach.

November 11th, Minister Derrell Thrash preached his first sermon.

November, the 1st Radio Broadcast aired, “In The Word”, sponsored by Bernard Kimble Ministries.

December, Brothers Jerome Lewis, James Manning, and Charles Renter were ordained as Deacons.

2005   May 2004-April 2005, 62 souls have been added: Baptism (22); Restoration (5); and Letter (35).

July 8th-21st, Sister Lindora Baker traveled Govenador, Brazil making her our first foreign missionary.

October 26th The old BTW Nursing Home became Olive Branch Ministries’ Senior Haven, a shelter for senior hurricane Katrina evacuees.

2006   January 29 – Brother Darius Kimble announced is called into the ministry.

April 30th –Minister Derrell Thrash received his License to Preach.

            New Ministries Added:

March: Young Adult Ministry & Couples Ministry

May 2005-April 2006, 52 souls have been added: Baptism (20); Restoration (4); and Letter (22); Christian Experience (1); Watch Care (5).

October 22nd – MIT Darius Kimble preached his first sermon.

December 31st – Sister Jacqueline Roberson announced her calling into the ministry.

2007   February 10th—17th—Bro. Grundy Jones traveled to
            Matamoros, Mexico on a mission trip to help build a church.

April 3rd—the printer and copier were upgraded.

            New Ministries Added:

Evangelism/Witnessing Ministry, Pastor Kimble’s Mothers   Club, Women of   Vision, Altar Ministry,IS-Information Systems Ministry, Youth Praise Team

May 2006-April 2007, 45 souls have been added: Baptism (16); Restoration (2); and Letter (19); Christian Experience (8).

June 24th - Minister Darius Kimble received his License to Preach.

April 2008- www.mtoliveshreveport.org was built. We have become international.

MINISTERS THAT HAVE SERVED AS PASTOR

The Late Reverend J. E. Gillie
The Late Reverend J. W. Wells
The Late Reverend J. D. Thomas
The Late Reverend C. H. Walker
The Late Reverend C. P. Patterson
The Late Reverend Leonard Williams
The Late Reverend Walter Mason
Reverend John L. Blackwell
Reverend Horace L. Ellis
Reverend Dwayne E. Butler
and currently
Bernard Kimble, Pastor/Teacher

MINISTERS THAT WERE LICENSED

George Merriweather
Willie Wilson
Terry Brown
Anthony B. Kimble (1998)
AlTaurus George (2000)
Frank Taylor, Jr. (2001)
Lorenza Bell III (2002)
Charles Thrash (2003)
Janice Gardner (2004)
Barbara Demery (2004)
Carolyn Gipson (2005)
Derrell Thrash (2006)
Darius Kimble (2007)

MINISTERS ORDAINED TO PREACH

The Late Reverend B. H. Howard
The Late Reverend J. W. Henry
Minister Anthony Kimble (2001)
Minister Al’Taurus George (2001)

PRESENT ASSOCIATED MINISTERS

Anthony Kimble (1998)
Terry Brown (1999)
AlTaurus George (2000)
Frank Taylor, Jr. (2001)
Montrell Gaddison (2001)
Kermit Young (2003)
Charles Thrash (2003
Janice Gardner (2003)
Barbara Demery (2003)
Derrell Thrash (2004)
Larry White (2005)
Janice White (2005)