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Mt. Olive Baptist Church was organized on February 10, 1916, by Rev. Robert L. Brady in a house located at 1915 Antoine Street in Detroit, Michigan, where Rev. M.H. Hill served as interim pastor. The Lord blessed the church, and by April of 1916, the church increased to 35 members.
Rev. James B. Glover was called to pastor in the later part of 1917, and under his leadership, the church purchased property on Rowena Street, now known as Mack Avenue. It was also during his tenure that Mt. Olive joined the Metropolitan Baptist Association and the National Baptist Convention of which the church is still a member. In 1930, the churched purchased property at Willis and Brush and worshiped there until 1935, when the church relocated to Watson and River.
Mt. Olive moved to property purchased to Canfield and Russell St. It was during this time that the longest tenured pastor to that point, the Rev. H.E. Owens was called to pastor. The church continued to grow, forcing the congregation to purchase new quarters. In 1940, two buildings located at 540 and 550 Farnsworth were purchased. Mt. Olive would remain on Farnsworth until moving into our current facilities on Woodward Avenue.
In April 1957, Rev. Owens resigned and Rev. Jack E. Ealy, Sr., who had been ordained by Rev. Owens and served as his assistant, was called to pastor. It was under his Spirit led leadership the Mt. Olive experienced her greatest and most noted expansion.
A parcel of land at Woodward and Boston Blvd was purchased for the purpose of erecting a new church. A concerted effort by a group of neighborhood residents delayed this project for 13 years, as Mt. Olive found herself in court, fighting against some of Detroit ’s most prominent citizens. Under the patient, but powerful leadership of Pastor Ealy, Mt. Olive endured financial deficit, work recession orders, sabotage, and the test of time until finally, the church triumphantly entered our current facility in the spring of 1979. Mt. Olive was blessed to celebrate the burning of its’ mortgage in 1994.
In January 1999, Mt. Olive distinguished herself again. Pastor Jack E. Ealy, Sr., beloved and prolific pastor of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church , announced his retirement effective June 30, 1999 and recommended that his administrative assistant, Rev. Harold H. Cadwell, Jr., be named his successor. In an overwhelming display of church unity, the congregation accepted Pastor Ealy’s recommendation and on July 4, 1999, after a month of celebration for Pastor Ealy, the Rev. Harold H. Cadwell, Jr. delivered his first sermon as pastor of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
Pastor Cadwell brings to Mt. Olive a total dedication to the work of the Lord, a tremendous zeal for the Word of God, and tireless determination to take Mt. Olive to the next level of ministry. In January 2002, Pastor Cadwell unveiled the vision that God has given him for the Mt. Olive Baptist Church . The vision is comprehensive, concise and far-reaching.
The congregation of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church is galvanized, energized and ready to witness the awesome power of the Lord our God as He brings the great vision to pass.
