In 1920 Rev. J. A. Wimberly was called to be the pastor of New Monumental Baptist Church. In 1921 Rev. Wimberly and some of the members separated themselves from New Monumental and organized another church. Olivet was organized in the James Hall on East Ninth Street. Dr. James, who had a colored drug store on the first floor, owned the building. Services were held in James Hall. The congregation agreed to purchase the old Thompkin Chapel (located at 921 University Street); however, the new Thompkin Chapel was not ready. Therefore, the congregation worshipped at James Hall until the new Thompkin Chapel was available. Mrs. Mary Wimberly, wife of Pastor J. A. Wimberly named the church, after Olivet Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois, where Rev. L. K. Williams was the pastor. Rev. Williams was Mrs. Wimberly's uncle. Since the church only had the bare necessities, the struggle was hard, but with the help of the Lord and continued prayers and faith they went forward.

Olivet's first organist was Mrs. Mary Wimberly, and there were two clubs: the Busy Bees & Rising Star and the Senior Missionary Society. Later years the BYPU - Pastor's Aide, junior matrons, and Sunshine Band were organized.

The Rev. E. H. Dial served as the second pastor of Olivet in 1926. The first church mother was Sister Eliza Benjamin. The church was paid for under the leadership of Pastor Dial. Subsequently, some of the luxuries of life were installed. Mrs. Annie Robinson was church clerk for fifteen years. She also served as Pastor Dial's private secretary.

From 1926 to October 1953 the following persons have served as pastors of Olivet Baptist Church: Rev. William S. McCutcheon, Rev. C.H. Smith, Rev. E. H. Dial, Rev. Alfred Jackson, and Rev. O. B. White.

In November 1953 Olivet extended the call of pastorate to Rev. Robert Richards. Pastor Richards was the former pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church. Pastor Richards initiated the first radio ministry on WNOO. This ministry continues to be an outreach program to the community today. Under his leadership the church, which was now located at 921 University Street, was remodeled. With years of wear and tear, the building deteriorated and on Sunday, July 23, 1967, ground was broken for the building of the church at 751 East Ninth Street. Pastor Richards, Deacon Fred Williams, Brother John Bibbins, Mayor Ralph Kelly, and Commissioner J. B. Turner turned the first spades of soil. Rev. H. H. Battle, the pastor of First Baptist East Eighth Street, gave the invocation. Brother John N. Popham, Managing Editor of the Chattanooga Times, gave the Inspirational Address. Tributes were paid to Pastor Richards by Mayor Kelly, Commissioner Turner, Assistant City Attorney Bennie J. Harris, and the Rev. J. Lloyd Edwards, Jr., pastor of the Cosmopolitan Community Church. God touched the hearts of Brother John and Sister Alma Bibbins who donated the property in honor of their daughters, Shirley and JoAnn. Mrs. Beaulah Mitchell Hailey and her son, Mr. William Hailey, in memory of Rev. E. H. Dial donated a lot. Two other lots were purchased from the Talley Estate.

On Sunday, September 28, 1968, at 11 a.m., the congregation marched from 921 University Street to 751 East Ninth Street (later changed to Martin Luther King Blvd.). Howard's Band furnished the music. Brother Dolphus Reese carried the flag, and Pastor and Mrs. Richards led the congregation. Antionette Chambers, a descendent of Pastor Dial, cut the ribbon. Pastor Jimmy Ingram offered the first prayer and Pastor R. L. Hines delivered the first message. At 3:30 p.m. Pastor J. C. Bonner, IV and the congregation of Westside Baptist Church were our guest as we dedicated our new home. The contractor presented the keys to the church.

Many of our members have been called into the ministry. Among them are: Ministers C. E. Ashley, W. B. White, J. W. Hester (an assistant pastor), B. L. Patton, James Gordon, Earnest Ross, Thomas Humphrey, Kevin L. Adams, Sr., (our current pastor), Bruce Brooks, Willie G. Hill, John McDonald, Vincent Bailey, Mozelle Robinson, Willie B. Hill, William Watkins, Isaiah Robinson, Moses Howard, Hubert Moss, George Mosley, and George Saddler (an assistant pastor), Edna Mathis, Greg Johnson, James Robinson, Jr, Richard Bennett, Anthony Fears.

In January 1992, Olivet extended the call of pastorate to Minister Kevin Adams. Pastor Richards served as Pastor Emeritus until his death in November 2000. Pastor Adams initiated the following ministries during his early tenure as pastor: Soul Winning Task Force, Singles Ministry, New Members' Class, Laymen, Laying Bricks, and he revitalized the Matrons and Mothers' Board.

In 1993, Rev. George Saddler was installed as our assistant pastor. Currently, he is the pastor of Gospel Light House Presbyterian Church. We also started our Tape/Audio ministry in 1993. Minster Steve Martin from Dallas, TX joined our congregation as an associate minister. Currently, Pastor Martin is the pastor of Pilgrim Rock Baptist Church. Elder Kevin Smith of Washington, DC joined our congregation. He is now the founder and former pastor of Love Fellowship Church.

A scholarship program was established for Olivet's youth that have been active in the Youth Department. A GED program and Boy Scout Ministry were organized. Large print Bibles were donated by the Senior Usher Board and new Hymnals were added. The growth of our congregation initiated a pledge program designed to raise funds for a new and larger facility for the future. In April 1994 we came together with smiling faces to produce our second church membership directory.

Because our church continued to grow significantly, plans had to be made to purchase a new church facility in the same community. While planning, designing, and building efforts were well underway, we began having Sunday worship services at 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 6:00 p.m. Our Wednesday Bible Study was extended to 12:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. When worshippers began packing our small church to capacity, First Lady Cynthia Adams suggested we pursue having worship services at the Community Theater of the Memorial Auditorium. We began meeting at the Auditorium in February 1999.

As our membership increased, so did our ministries. Our current deacons are Deacon Charles Anderson, Deacon Anthony Andrews, Deacon Clarence Berry, Deacon John Goodwin, Deacon James Grimes, Deacon Nikki Hammonds, Deacon Donald Holmes, Deacon Hubert Jackson, Deacon Gerald Johnson, Deacon Robert Johnson, Deacon Samuel McDaniel (ret), Deacon James Odom, Deacon Michael Prater, Deacon Dolphus Reese, Deacon Charles Smith, Deacon Durand Smith, Deacon Joy T. Smith (ret), Deacon Ken Stripling, Deacon John Tumblin, Deacon Rayfield Williamson, and Deacon Marty Young. Approximately thirty new ministries have been added to the flock since 1994. Our largest outreach ministry is the Matthew 25 ministry, which was established on Jesus' admonition to do unto the "least of these…"

Moreover, to assist Pastor Adams and our congregation in their outreach endeavors, an administrator and secretary were added full time. These administrative positions were funded by a two-year grant from the McClellan Foundation. To achieve further structure of a rapidly growing congregation, Elder Daryl Arnold was appointed the first assistant to the Pastor in addition to the establishment of the first Ministry Leadership Council. With the increased attendance of our youth on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings, we selected Minister Greg Johnson as our first youth pastor.

To encourage unity among the local churches in August 2000 we sponsored Chattanooga's first "Heal the Land Crusade" at Engel Stadium. Our ministry not only reached our local community. In fact, in September 1999 Sister Barbara Woods traveled to Uganda as our first international missionary. In 2001 Sister Stephanie Jackson became our second international missionary when she traveled to Guatemala.

Today, we give God all the praise for bringing us from a room in the old James Hall to this facility at 740 Martin Luther King Blvd. We thank you, Lord for a more spacious facility with classrooms for all. Here we will make a global impact with the uncompromising gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ by "equipping the saints to salt the world".

From the significantly small church lacking in details of so many things, Olivet has incredibly grown with the "banner of Christ" ever hanging high that men may follow. We surely have passed over bumpy and smooth roads to get here, having worshipped at the Memorial Auditorium, the Tivoli Theater, and the McKenzie Stadium. We are proud of our church, but we are constantly praying to keep humble enough to be of service that the Master will be pleased with us. We thank God for his blessings and pray for His continued guidance.

We thank God for instructing Pastor J. A. Wimberly to establish Olivet Baptist Church in 1921. Therefore, to Pastor Wimberly and all of our deceased members, we pay tribute to their faith in God and their commitment to service. Sometimes the struggle was hard. They did not give up. They pressed "toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus". Philippians 3:14

"For understanding and appreciation of our past is the key to our future".