Mount Olive Baptist Church was organized through the divine providence of God Almighty, on March 3, 1889, during an old fashioned camp meeting held on the campus of Huston-Tillotson University. Under the inspired leadership of its first Pastor, Reverend James H. Harold, the first church edifice was built at 1103 East 4th Street; in a section then called “Mason Town.” Mason Town, one of Austin’s earliest African American settlements, was named for the Ralph Mason Family who owned most of the property in the area. The Church prospered and grew under the leadership of Pastor Harold for a period of 46 years until his demise in 1935.

The next six years, Reverend Anthony H. Brown provided pastoral leadership during which period the Church was relocated to 1113 Leona Street; behind Blackshear Elementary School. Having been moved to a new location and a new building, the name “New Mount Olive” was coined by its members, although its charter was never changed to legalize the name. The Church remains today as originally named, Mount Olive Baptist Church. Reverend L. J. Griffin became the third pastor and served for two years rounding out the first fifty-four years of Mount Olive History.

In October 1945, during the years of world turmoil and the unrest of World War II, God called one of His mightiest warriors, the Reverend Herbert A. Sneed. Reverend Sneed became pastor and successfully doubled the membership while yet maintaining the “old flavor” of spirituality. As a result of his inspiration the Church drew many students from the nearby Huston-Tillotson College. Reverend Sneed remodeled the building and added classrooms, pastor’s study and a fellowship hall. God continued to bless Mount Olive spiritually and financially and it soon became evident that the Church had outgrown its facilities. Pastor Sneed, having a dreamed of someday moving the Church from behind Blackshear Elementary School, was given a divine vision of our present site at Eleventh and Salina Streets. God then gave him the strength and integrity to make that dream a reality. Thanks be to God!!!

Innovative programs developed under Reverend Sneed included a Music Department that was second to none and well known for its singing--a 65 Voice Radio Choir was organized and the Church radio broadcast could be heard every Sunday evening at ten o’clock over KVET Radio. Its theme song was “It’s My Desire to Be Like The Lord.” To enhance the Music Department, a Baldwin Organ; the first for the Church; was purchased and Junior and Youth Adult Choirs were added. Also under Reverend Sneed the Youth Department not only grew in number, but in enthusiasm. Through its singing as a Youth Choir and its dramatic plays, the Youth Department performed locally and statewide; touching the hearts of many. Pastor Sneed also encouraged the involvement of the young people of Huston-Tillotson University.