[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 186 (Friday, October 30, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING GREATER MT. OLIVET MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

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                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 30, 2020

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable church, Greater Mt. Olivet Missionary Baptist Church.
  On November 28, 1945, Rev. A.C. Alexander and a small group of people 
met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Whitley at 227 South Sixth 
Street in Greenville, Mississippi, to organize a church. Their first 
meeting was held on the third Sunday in December at the Greenville 
Industrial College located at 240 South Eight Street. Meetings were 
held each third Sunday until 1947, when the group moved to a wooden 
structure building at 239 North Seventh Street. The church was 
organized with eight members. However, the church membership did 
increase, and Rev. Alexander served as Pastor the years of 1945-1954. 
Then, Rev. Albert Johnson served as Pastor the years of 1954 to 1957.
  From 1957-1976, Rev. H.A. Armstrong served as a Pastor. He surveyed 
the needs of the church and those needs were Christian commitment to 
the church, furniture for the church, and a renewed hope in Christ. 
Rev. Armstrong's first sermon title was taken from Nehemiah 4:6, ``For 
the people has a mind to work.'' During Rev. Armstrong's tenure, Mt. 
Olivet built their 2nd Church building in 1972.
  Dr. Hudson Augustus became the full-time Pastor of Mt. Olivet 
Missionary Baptist Church. During Dr. Augustus tenure, the 2nd Church 
building was paid in full. Dr. Augustus was a faithful shepherd of this 
church until his death on April 9, 2003.
  Currently, Dr. Lee E. Morris, Jr., is the Pastor, and has been 
serving since 2004. Under the leadership of Dr. Morris, the church has 
attracted many new members and new ministries and a name change to 
Greater Mt. Olivet Missionary Baptist Church. Under Dr. Morris 
leadership, Greater Mt. Olivet built their 3rd church building, which 
includes a new sanctuary, an educational annex (9 classrooms), 
recreational complex (gym), and a pastoral parsonage.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Greater 
Mt. Olivet Missionary Baptist Church for its longevity and dedication 
to serving others.

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