Impacting Lake Gaston with the Gospel of Christ Jesus
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We're glad you stopped by!

Please take a little time to learn more about us, our vision and our active ministries. We have a lot of information to share so take your time and enjoy your on-line visit with Olive Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

Situated just a couple of miles from Lake Gaston, Olive Grove is the ideal church for vacationers to worship while enjoying weekend outings or weeks-long retreats on the water. However, our rich history predates Lake Gaston by most of a century.

Olive Grove's History

Olive Grove Missionary Baptist Church of Littleton, one of the oldest black churches in North Carolina, was organized in the 1800's. While in its infancy, the church was located in a "Bush Arbor", which is thought to be located in the area of the old baptizing pool. The early members, the Howard and Carter families, organized the "Bush Arbor". Mr. B. D. Egerton donated to the Olive Grove Missionary Baptist Church a one-acre track of land dated October 11, 1887 for $1.00. A stipulation in the deed stated that the land would be maintained as a place of divine worship for the use of the ministry and membership of the Missionary Baptist Church known as "Olive Grove". After this purchase, the "Bush Arbor" was then replaced by a wooden structure. According to the deed dated April 22, 1925, an additional acre of land was purchased for $100.00 After this purchase, it is believed the church was turned around to face the new Eaton Ferry Road.

  1. Through prayer, faith, steadfastness and dedication, Olive Grove survived under the leadership of the following pastors:
  2. The early church was under the direction Rev. Jack Mays, our first pastor.
  3. Rev. Dr. Lovelace J. Alexander, the second pastor, pastured this church from 1909-1921.
  4. The third pastor, Rev. Guilford Booker Fitts, served with distinction from around 1921-1929.
  5. Rev. N. A. Cheek became the fourth pastor from 1929-1947.
  6. The fifth pastor, Rev. Dr. Paul G. Davis, assumed pastorate and faithfully served for 43 years from March 1947-August 1990.
  • The manifestations of their labor can be seen in their accomplishments. Some of which were:
  • Organization of a Deacon Board, Choir and Sunday School
  • Organization of a Scholarship Fund, Hospitality Committee, Jr. Missionary Dept. and a Youth Dept.
  • Instituted 1st Annual Senior Citizen's Day
  • Purchase of piano, speaker system and carpet
  • Numerous structural improvements

We honor the memory of all those Olive Grove members who so tirelessly gave of themselves that we might have a place of worship. We thank God for people like Nelson Wilkins, Robert Wilkins, J. B. White, Henry Howard, G. W. Hardy, John Carter, George Carter, and Buz Carter who were some of the first trustees and deacons.
We are grateful for people like Mildred Boyd, Nancy Wright, Frances Carter, Laura Carter, Sallie Jenkins, Ida Howard, Elmo Walker, Merritt Kimball, Bessie Fitts, Malaria Carter, Swannie Hawkins, Mariah Turner, Mattie Carter, Lucy Jones, Alex Boyd, Laker Jones, and Ruffin Williams who were some of the first members.
And we look up to renaissance women such as Sis. Bertha Hawkins and Sis. Thelma Howard who served as the first women Sunday School Superintendent and Asst. Superintendent, respectfully.
It is now the responsibility of the current generation to continue building upon the foundation so skillfully laid: one of spiritual and physical growth.

  • walton (6K) Our present pastor, Rev. Charles E. Walton, began his pastorate in December 1990. Accomplishments continued to be made to improve the aesthetics and structure of the sanctuary. Under his leadership we also:
  • Added morning worship service on 1st and 3rd Sundays
  • Published our first newsletter
  • Instituted a building fund in 1991
  • Began our 1st Annual Memorial Day Service

Also read about our recent history.