History of Mount Olive Baptist Church
In 1892 Americus Morgan, Moses Snowden and Enoch Morgan started Mount Olive Baptist Church in the historic community of Seatack, Virginia.Some time after through faith and determination,seeing a need for education within the community in a Segregated south, the first educational classes were started with the establishment of Sunday School in 1894. Years later in 1908 through 1910 Mount Olive Baptist Church held the 1st Elementary School for Blacks in the original Church Structure. It was Mrs. Sarah Daughtry who was a member of the Church at that time, who being led by the Spirit of GOD was one who was instrumental in the establishment of that particular learning institution.
It was from her efforts that the current Law Enforcement Training Academy which is the original Seatack Elementary School was built. Mount Olive has had a history of builders. As the years went on Mount Olive established the 1st Vacation Bible School for blacks in the whole city of Virginia Beach and that through the efforts of Lola Morgan and Lola Gordon.
While education has been on the forefront of this historic ministry, social justice has also played a critical part to the impact that Mount Olive Baptist Church presents. Mount Olive has had many pastor's who have been on the front lines of social justice and one of those leader's was none other than the Rev. Milton Reid. Pastor Reid was a community activist and was the initiator of the Virginia Beach Christian Leadership Conference and was an affiliate of the famed Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) which was led by the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mount Olive played host to Dr. King and Dr. Reid for many social justice initiatives and the effects of their leadership has been felt even to this day. It was from Dr. Reid's leadership that the Independent Voting League of Seatack, a grassroots political action group was established.
Mount Olive has continued to ministry efforts through the years by impacting youth, Mount Olive held within its walls the 1st school for unwed pregnant teens in 1973 and lasted until 1986. From that ministry the City of Virginia Beach adopted that model and has ensured that teens girls attending private or public schools would not miss an opportunity to get and education due to pregnancy. Due to the tireless work of Ira D. Watkins who was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church young ladies can still get there education.
From establishing established schools to social justice to foodbanks the ministry of Mount Olive Baptist Church has for 120 plus years have been impacting the local and global community. And we will continue to do so with the Love of GOD and the leading of the Holy Spirit.