[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 175 (Wednesday, December 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING MT. OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 11, 2013

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Buffalo, New York on celebrating the 90th 
anniversary of its devout faithfulness and dedication to the 
surrounding community. To commemorate this milestone, Mt. Olive will be 
hosting a celebration on December 8, 2013 in Buffalo's historic 
Lafayette Hotel.
  Under the visionary leadership of Pastor William Gillison, Mt. Olive 
Baptist Church has become a central pillar of Buffalo's African-
American community through its good and tireless community works and 
initiatives to nurture educate and support generations of families. 
Known as one of the most active and ambitious churches in the region, 
Mt. Olive continues to build on its extensive and rich history. Its 
outstanding reputation is a testament to the inspiration of its leaders 
and parishioners.
  Mt. Olive Baptist Church was organized in 1923 under the leadership 
of the late Pastor James Hamilton, inside the gates of Semet Solvay 
Company Plant in Tonawanda, New York. In 1924, under the leadership of 
Pastor Clinton N. Polite, the Church moved outside the company gates. 
When Semet Solvay closed in 1941, Mt. Olive relocated Clinton Street in 
Buffalo where the first service was held on the first Sunday in May 
with five families.
  Reverend William Gillison was called to pastor Mt. Olive in June 
1981, which marked the beginning of an unprecedented era of growth and 
community engagement projects within the Church. In February 1988, Mt. 
Olive purchased three and a half acres of land at 701 East Delavan 
Avenue and in 1992, additional acreage was added giving the church five 
acres for its new three million dollar home. Construction began in 1994 
and upon completion, the new home of Mt. Olive Baptist Church included 
an impressive complex which seats 1200, 16 classrooms and an all-
purpose hall for recreation and social occasions. It is of special note 
that this Church's decades long mortgage was paid in full in only six 
years.
  Under this extraordinary pastoral leader and faithful following, Mt. 
Olive continues to experience extensive growth spiritually, financially 
and munerically. Multiple ministries and a separate faith-based 
organization, the Mt. Olive Development Corporation, have been formed 
since 1991. Mt. Olive's First Leadership School, which is recognized by 
the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, was held in 
October 2007. In recent years a Health Ministry was instituted as was a 
Media Ministry with the addition of a TV studio. This year has also 
seen the construction of the William Gillison Fellowship Hall and the 
dedication of the YOMO (Youth of Mt. Olive) Athletic Field.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor, 
acknowledge and add my deepest appreciation to Pastor Gillison and the 
family and friends of Mt. Olive Baptist Church for 90 years of faith-
filled service to its congregation, community, city and country. Its 
outreach to the least the lost among us provides us with a powerful 
example of faith and love that will only intensify to help our children 
be better prepared and be able to enjoy and embrace an enhanced quality 
of life.

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