Welcome Home: Mt. Olivet Celebrates 150 Years of Faith
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By Cheryl Owens
Mississippi
Little country church invites community to celebrate a century and a half of worship, fellowship and memories
Mt. Olivet celebrating its 150 Homecoming.
For 150 years, families have traveled the country roads leading to Mt. Olivet Baptist Church for Sunday worship, homecomings, weddings, revivals and times of prayer. Next Sunday, those same roads will once again bring generations of members, former members and friends together as the church celebrates a milestone few congregations ever reach.
Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, located at 4340 Hillsboro-Ludlow Road in Forest, will celebrate its 150th Homecoming on Sunday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend this special celebration and stay afterward for a potluck meal in the fellowship hall, where old friends can reconnect, memories can be shared and new memories can be made.
The morning service will include a welcome by Robert Eddy, a message from Bro. Bruce Robinson, worship led by Joey Crain and musical support by Brenda Creel. The celebration will continue with revival services Monday through Wednesday, July 20-22, with Bro. Greg Pettigrew bringing the messages.
While the anniversary marks 150 years on the calendar, members say Mt. Olivet Baptist Church has always been about much more than a building. It is about faith, family and making everyone who walks through its doors feel at home.
Church records show that on Sunday, July 2, 1876, a group of Christians gathered with a simple purpose — to establish a place of worship for themselves, their families and future generations. In those early years, preaching was held one Sunday each month in a modest church building that also served as a one-room schoolhouse with one teacher.
The reason the church was named Mt. Olivet has been lost over time, but the mission of the congregation has remained the same for a century and a half.
For 150 years, the doors of this little country church have welcomed neighbors, comforted grieving families, celebrated weddings and faithfully proclaimed God’s Word.
The anniversary has also been recognized at the state level. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves sent a congratulatory letter honoring the church’s long history.
“As Governor of the Great State of Mississippi, I extend my congratulations to Mt. Olivet Baptist Church on your 150th Anniversary,” Reeves wrote. “This remarkable milestone stands as a testament to a century and a half of unwavering faith, dedicated service, and steadfast commitment to your congregation and community.”
Longtime member Judy Cates said the church has always been more than just a place of worship.
“What I love about our church is that Mt. Olivet has a nickname,” Cates said. “It’s a place you can call home.”
Cates and her family began attending Mt. Olivet after returning to Mississippi in 2003. She said the warmth and kindness they experienced from the congregation quickly made them feel like they belonged.
“When we first visited, the people were so genuine and so warm that we knew this was where we belonged,” she said.
Cates recalled that the congregation eventually replaced the original sanctuary because of its age, but she said the heart of the church remained the same.
As members prepare to celebrate the church’s 150th anniversary, Cates hopes visitors leave with more than memories of a special service.
“I hope they remember our theme,” she said. “‘Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future.'”
Another longtime member, Marie Cash, said the people of Mt. Olivet are what make the church so special.
“The people make it special,” Cash said. “They are home. You feel safe and loved here.”
Cash, who has been a member for more than 20 years, said one of her fondest memories is the time Bro. Bruce Robinson served the congregation.
“He planted us a firm foundation to build on,” she said. “We were thriving when he was here.”
Even though the church is currently without a pastor, Cash believes Mt. Olivet’s future remains bright.
“I still think God’s love is in this church,” she said. “Everybody here loves God, loves this church and loves the people. We have the heart to want this church to thrive.”
For anyone looking for a church home, Cash said Mt. Olivet is a place where people can feel welcomed and accepted.
“If you want a place to feel welcome and at home, this is the place to come,” she said. “This is the only place I feel like I can truly be myself.”
On July 19, generations of members — past and present — will gather once again to celebrate not only Mt. Olivet Baptist Church’s rich history, but the faith, love and fellowship that continue to make it a place so many proudly call home.
