History of the Mount Olive Baptist Church Evans, Georgia

On June 17, 1889, a group of Christian soldiers withdrew from the Mt. Enon Baptist Church and organized the Mt. Olive Baptist Church. The church was organized by the Reverends A. W. Walker and Gilbert Johnson, and nineteen others persons. They were Deacon Lee Thomas, Brothers John Gray, Henry Johnson, Amos Benjamin, Amos Brinson, Robert Johnson, Feliz Jefferson, Alvin Jefferson, Sisters Jennie O'Bryant, Sylvia Marshall, Lelia Johnson, Dora Thomas, Charlotte Dunn, Wennie Benjamin, Charlotte Tanksley, Anna Jefferson, Hannah Gray, Julia Williams, and Laura Johnson.

Over the past one hundred years the Mt. Olive Baptist Chruch has had eight pastors, namely:

                                                              Rev. S. A. McNeal 1889-1890

                                                              Rev. I. A. McNeal   1890-1896

                                                              Rev. Mose Hayward 1896-1927

                                                              Rev. S. A. Jennings----1927-1936

                                                              Rev. J W. Warren-------1936-1944

                                                              Rev. J. H. Sanders____1945-1950

                                                              Rev. M. O. Tanksley----1951-1981

                                                              Rev. L. J. Tanksley------1982-Present

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These men were all blessed with a knowledge of the scriptures, the ability to sing well, fine oratorical skills, and a calling from God. Under their leadership, the Mt. Olive Baptist Church carried out its Christian mission, serving the religious, social, and benevolent needs of this rural Black community of Evans, Georgia. Noteworthy among the pastors was Rev. Mose Hayward who provided thirty-one years of leadership and was responsible for the church's reputation for moving prayer services, charismatic sermons, and great revivals. Another remarkable leader was Rev. M. O. Tanksley whose accomplishments are too numerous to mention here but included a new church, many important organizations, and a scholarship program. Significantly, these two great leaders provided vigorous leadership for the Mt. Olive Baptist Church for more than sixty of its one hundred years.

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In February 1982, Rev. L. J. Tanksley, the son of Rev. M. O. Tanksley  was chosen, pastor. While continuing his father's tradition and with the church's traditional agenda, Rev. L. J. Tanksley has brought his own vision to the Mt. Olive Baptist Church. This vision is tangibly reflected in the new sanctuary completed during the centennial year, but also in renewed interest in the church on the part of its members.

 

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