Mt. Olive Baptist Church
Abbreviated History
November 1, 2024

by Mari Ann Winters

Below is an abbreviated history of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Russellville. During its 136-year history, the faces of its members have changed, the facilities have changed, and the ministry efforts have changed, but its message has remained the same: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:9

MT. OLIVE’S BEGINNING

On Saturday, April 4, 1888, the United Baptist Church of Christ at Cole Spring, Cole County, Missouri, granted letters of dismissal to 85 of its members for the purpose of organizing another church of the same faith and order near Pioneer Mines. These 85 charter members, plus an additional 19 (total of 104), formally organized and signed a Church Covenant on June 2, 1888. Mt. Olive is the second of four churches originating from Cole Spring Baptist Church.

FACILITIES

1888

In September 1888, the church approved construction of its first building on approximately two acres of land purchased from charter member T. J. Scott for $10. According to lifelong Mt. Olive member, Gene Steenbergen, the original building was farther west and down the hill from the present building. When the 1888 structure was demolished, collection plates were crafted from its logs. One of those plates resides in the Pastor’s office.

1909 Sanctuary

In 1908, Mt. Olive conveyed the east half of the 1888 conveyance back to T. J. Scott in exchange for approximately the same amount of land (37,500 sq. ft.) adjacent to, and south of, the west half of the 1888 conveyance. It was on this land that the church built a new building (sanctuary only). This building faced Mt. Olive Road. The white wood structure looked like other churches and one-room schoolhouses built throughout Missouri during this period. Heat was provided by a wood/coal stove sitting in the middle of the sanctuary, cooling by hand-held paper fans attached to flat, wood handles. Gas lamps were used for lighting until August 1946 when electricity became available. Curtains hanging from wires created makeshift walls for Sunday School classes. It was dedicated in May 1909. In 1995, the interior was reconstructed into Sunday School rooms. It continues to be used today.

1955 Educational Annex

In October 1954, six years after a building fund was established, construction of a two-story educational addition began. A year later the construction was complete, thereby adding nine Sunday School rooms, a fellowship hall, and an enlarged sanctuary with a gas furnace to replace the wood/coal stove. The annex was dedicated on October 16, 1955.

1988 Building

Mt. Olive purchased two segments of land from Irvin Janssen on December 26, 1979. The land bordered the north, south, and east sides of Mt. Olive’s property. One segment contains 12.283 acres; the other (on the east side of Route AA) contains 3.352 acres. On Sunday evening, May 10, 1987, Mt. Olive broke ground for a new sanctuary and basement addition. Members provided much of the project’s labor.

Focal points of the sanctuary are the cross that hangs above the baptistry, the chandeliers, and the stained-glass windows designed by Mt. Olive member Shirley Looten. Standing at the back of the sanctuary, the windows on the right side of the church pertain to the New Testament, those on the left pertain to the Old Testament. A Star of Bethlehem and Cross of Calvary are featured in the matching windows in the foyer and nursery. Artist Joe Fray from Lupus, Missouri, crafted the windows. Of his own accord, he used Tiffany glass. The first service was held in the new sanctuary on May 22, 1988. The church was dedicated on June 5, 1988, 100 years after it was founded.

Paved Parking Lot – Garage/Youth Building – Memorial Prayer Garden

In the spring of 2001, the gravel parking lot was paved with asphalt; that fall a garage was constructed to shelter the church’s vehicles and provide needed storage. With implementation of a popular children’s program in the fall of 2008, there was no longer adequate space within the church to accommodate the Wednesday Programs; therefore, the Youth Program was moved to the garage until a better solution could be found. The youth continue to occupy that space. On June 22, 2008, the church dedicated its newly constructed memorial prayer garden.

WORSHIP SERVICES – PASTORS

Bro. Cole

At Mt. Olive’s third meeting (August 1888), the members chose W. D. Jordan as their first pastor at a salary of $3 per meeting. Pastors were elected to serve for one-year periods. Worship services were held monthly for 52 years. On November 27, 1939, the church moved from quarter-time to half-time preaching. Half-time preaching continued for 13 years (until April 1952) when the church voted (41 yes – 23 no) to go to full-time work. During the same meeting, under the pastoral leadership of Bro. Farrie Cole, Jr., the church voted to call future pastors for an indefinite period (ending the 64-year practice of calling the pastor on a yearly basis). On the same date, the church unanimously called Bro. Cole as its first full-time pastor. Bro. Cole faithfully served as pastor of Mt. Olive for 43 years 5 months touching the lives of seven generations. The second longest tenure was that of Bro. Alan Earls who lovingly served as pastor for over 20 years and named Pastor Emeritus in 2020.

Bro. Mike Nichols, Bro. Paul Young, Bro. Alan Earls

From 1946 to date the following Pastors served at Mt. Olive:

Bobby Potter (Jan. 1946-Jun. 1947)

Hugh Trotter (Sept. 47-Sept. 1948)

Farrie Cole, Jr. (Sept. 1948-Feb. 11, 1992)

Nelson Duke, Interim (June 1992-Jan. 1993)

Don LaFontaine (Jan. 31, 1993-Sept. 30, 1993)

Robert Hawkins, Interim (Oct. 1993-May 1994)

John Knapp (July 1994-Feb. 14, 1999)

Alan R. Earls (Mar. 1999-July 31, 2020)

Alex Earls, Interim (Mar. 7, 2021-Feb. 20, 2022)

Paul Young (Feb. 20, 2022-Feb. 25, 2024)

Michael A. Nichols (Mar. 1, 2024-present)

Mt. Olive has ordained five pastors: J. C. Amos (Mar. 1900), Alan R. Earls (Oct. 17, 1999), Preston Thompson (Jun. 26, 2005), Michael A. Nichols (Apr. 3, 2011), and Alexander W. Earls (Aug. 22, 2021).

YOUTH MINISTERS/LEADERS

On November 6, 1995, Alan and Paula Earls were called to serve as Youth Ministers on a permanent, part-time basis effective December 1, 1995. They implemented new programs for the youth, emphasized the importance of studying the Scriptures, oversaw youth mission trips, and provided Christian guidance and counseling. Subsequent Youth Ministers/Leaders were Mike Nichols and wife, Heidi (Mar. 2000–Oct. 31, 2016); Alex Earls (Nov. 1, 2016-Nov. 30, 2022); and Joshua Bell and wife, Haley (Sept. 1, 2023–current).

MUSIC AND MINISTRIES

The early church sang praises to God without musical instruments. On March 10, 1900, the church voted to “receive an organ into the church.” Later years would see a piano, stringed instruments, and, recently, a drum. Lina Steenbergen became the first Choir Director/Worship Leader in 1959 and served intermittently in that capacity for a total of 40 years ending in September 2014. Pat Jobe followed Lina in that role and continues today. Over the years, Mt. Olive enjoyed several talented music groups, including the well-known Mt. Olive Gospel Singers

Mt. Olive’s history also includes revivals, mission trips, Sunday School, VBS, and many other efforts to share Jesus.

MEMBER SERVICE

The most interesting history of Mt. Olive is found in the hearts of men and women who love the Lord and allow God to work through their lives to grow His eternal kingdom. Throughout the years, God has blessed Mt. Olive with members who willingly share their unique abilities with no desire for earthly reward other than the joy of serving God by serving others. The formal records of dates and events reveal the desire of the members to be obedient to God’s teachings, to seek His guidance, and to step out in faith to provide facilities and ministries that would draw others to Jesus.

Gene Steenbergen, Loretta Raithel, Rosemary Robertson

As of November 1, 2024, Mt. Olive is blessed with twelve members aged 80 and above who regularly attend and serve God at Mt. Olive. The most senior of those are Gene Steenbergen (93), Loretta (Scott) Raithel (92), and Rosemary (Glenn) Robertson (92). Loretta and Gene have attended Mt. Olive since birth; Rosemary joined in 1956. All three have continuously served the Lord in many capacities at Mt. Olive. They faithfully read the Scriptures and offer heartfelt prayers on behalf of others. While their work and knowledge are held in high esteem, they are appreciated and respected most for their kindness and compassion; their encouragement; their smiles; and their peace. Truly two Christian ladies and a Christian gentleman.

IN SUMMARY

Since its inception on June 2, 1888, to November 1, 2024, 1,334 individuals have stood before Mt. Olive’s congregation publicly professing their belief in Jesus and expressing their desire to serve Him at Mt. Olive Baptist Church. Of those, 669 were baptized, the remainder joined by letter or statement of faith. Today, approximately 100 people attend worship services regularly. The message is the same as it was in 1888:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”