CHURCH HISTORY
Mt. Olivet Baptist Church was established in the early 20th century by Reverend Sedley E. Lee and a group of citizens from Rochester's Third Ward. The church's initial gatherings were held at George Hall on South Avenue, later relocating to Odd Fellows Hall at 100 Caledonia Avenue (now Clarissa Street). On October 14, 1910, Mt. Olivet was officially recognized by the 83rd Monroe Baptist Association.
In 1912, following Rev. Lee's resignation, Rev. A. M. Kearney served as interim pastor until Rev. Charles D. Hubert became the church's second pastor. Rev. Hubert, the first African-American to attend the Rochester Theological Seminary, oversaw the construction of Hubert Hall on Adams Street, the current church location.
Subsequent pastors included Rev. L. B. Brown (1915), Rev. Singleton M. Batchlar (1918), and Rev. James E. Rose (1920). Under Rev. Rose's leadership, a new church structure was built, featuring a main-level sanctuary and lower-level classrooms, offices, fellowship hall, and kitchen. This building was dedicated on January 23, 1927. Rev. Rose, known for his commitment to social justice, served until his passing in 1942.
Rev. Charles Boddie assumed leadership on August 13, 1942, and was installed on December 13, 1942. A graduate of Colgate Divinity School, he earned a Doctor of Divinity Degree from Keuka College in 1950. During his tenure, the church liquidated its mortgage, organized the Rose Memorial Fellowship, and initiated the construction of the Mt. Olivet Education Building in August 1955.
From 1956 to 1967, Rev. Dr. Arthur L. Whitaker, a Harvard University Divinity School and Andover Newton Theological School alumnus, served as pastor. The Education Building was completed and dedicated on March 5, 1958.
Rev. Dr. Leardrew Johnson became pastor on September 24, 1967. A graduate of Virginia University and Colgate Rochester Divinity School, he established the Scholarship Fund, Senior Citizen's Fellowship, and Building Fund for a new sanctuary. After his retirement in 1989, he was named Pastor Emeritus.
Rev. Dwight E. Cook of Roswell, Georgia, was called to serve as pastor on December 17, 1989, and installed on February 4, 1990. He holds degrees from Tuskegee University, Morehouse College School of Religion, and Drew University School of Theology. Under his leadership, the Family Care Ministry was established, and ground was broken for a new sanctuary on May 24, 1998. The congregation moved to the new sanctuary on June 20, 1999, with the dedication ceremony on October 24, 1999. Rev. Cook resigned in February 2006 to accept a pastoral assignment in Hawaii.
Rev. Lawrence Hargrave served as interim pastor from 2006 until 2008.
On November 2, 2008, Rev. Rickey Bernard Harvey of Memphis, Tennessee, preached his first sermon as the 10th pastor and was officially installed on May 3, 2009. Rev. Harvey holds degrees from the University of Memphis, University of Phoenix, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Tennessee School of Religion, and a Doctor of Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (2012).
Mt. Olivet Baptist Church cherishes its rich legacy, dedicated leadership, and the unwavering support of its members. With God's blessings, the church continues its mission into the 21st century, united in confessing "Jesus Christ as Lord."