Blessed with a fine minister, a wonderful church and a zealous membership, we decided to protect our church by incorporating and the necessary papers were applied for. Unfortunately, the church name had to be changed to "Second Olivet Baptist Church", because another church in the city had the same name. Olivet took the initiative of changing its name to avoid conflicts in church identities. Thus, the church’s name has changed from New Light Baptist, to Olivet Baptist, to Second Olivet Baptist Church.
The church continued to grow under Rev. Ward’s pastorate, and once again a larger facility was needed. A large sum of money was raised. The plans for a new church facility were prepared and ground was broken to start the edifice in 1950 at 8714 Quincy Avenue. Rev. Ward left Second Olivet Baptist Church to organize a new congregation in March 1952, two years before the new structure was completed.
In May 1952, the Reverend Odie M. Hoover came to Olivet for a revival at the invitation of our officers. We all enjoyed his sermons, and the church was filled to capacity each night. The dynamic preaching and singing of this minister from Montgomery, Alabama impressed the congregation. There was a great need in Olivet for a good and able leader so after some discussion and planning a call was extended to him. On June 23, 1952 Rev. Hoover answered this call and accepted the post, becoming the fourth pastor of Second Olivet Baptist Church. He led the congregation to an “inspirational concept” which exemplified a ministry for the whole person, and the community. The theme “Making our Neighborhood a Brotherhood” was adopted.
It was during Rev. Hoover’s pastorate that Olivet adopted its fourth and present name, Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, which reflects the “institutional” concept. Olivet expanded the church’s ministry to more aggressively embrace civil rights causes. Because Rev. Hoover was a friend and supporter of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Olivet became the Cleveland headquarters for Dr. King when he visited the region.
On Easter Sunday morning, April 11, 1954, Olivet’s dream of a new church was realized. The congregation moved into its newly built home located at 8714 Quincy Avenue. The church burned the mortgage seven years later on July 16, 1961. Five years later, Dr. Hoover realized a personal dream for Olivet, the provision of a facility for Christian fellowship and recreation. On June 5, 1966, the O. M. Hoover Christian Community Center was officially opened and dedicated. After twenty-one great years of pastoral leadership, Dr. Hoover passed from time into eternity on Wednesday, November 7, 1973.
Olivet was led to a new shepherd and rejoiced when he accepted the pastoral invitation. On December 30, 1974, The Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr., former pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Lockland, Ohio, assumed the pastorate of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church. Under his leadership for over thirty-one years, Olivet has expanded its mission to “Preach, Teach and Practice the Unconditional Love of Jesus Christ” and continued its focus on civil rights. Rev. Moss, who was also active with SCLC, continued the leadership and tradition of involvement in the civil rights movement started by Rev. Hoover.
Rev. Moss has enlarged the vision of Olivet to include a “vision of a church whose doors are high enough to bring in your mind with your body.” Many new and accelerated projects and activities were added to compliment already existing programs.
Realizing that the Lord uses both men and women in major roles to carry out His plan, Dr. Moss licensed Olivet’s first female minister, The Reverend Dr. Margaret Mitchell in 1989. In 1990, one year later, he appointed Olivet’s first four women to the Trustee Board: Sisters Carole F. Hoover, Lena Robinson, Jean Roland and Brenda Y. Terrell.
Dr. Moss has brought great world leaders, politicians and clergymen to the Olivet pulpit including former Ambassador Andrew Young, Jesse L. Jackson, Al Sharpton, Tavis Smiley, Attorney Johnny Cockran, Judge Glenda Hatchett, Mrs. Naomi Tutu, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Oprah Winfrey, Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, First Lady Hilary Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Dr. Wyatt T. Walker, Dr. Gardner C. Taylor, Dr. Joseph Roberts, Bishop Vashti McKenzie, just to name a few.
In keeping with his predecessor’s dream of “Making Our Neighborhood a Brotherhood,” Rev. Moss founded the Olivet Housing and Community Development Corporation (OHCDC) in 1975. The purpose of this nonprofit organization is to develop and improve the Fairfax community and other neighborhoods in the Greater Cleveland community. Since its inception the OHCDC stands by the founding values of excellence, integrity and commitment by providing quality health, education and economic development services, programs and projects for the enhancement of the quality of life for all people.
Through the OHCDC, Olivet expanded its outreach into the area of health care, approving the construction of a multi-facet full-service, private practice hospital/health care facility adjacent to the current church structure. Rev. Moss introduced the vision in 1982. Over the years the church acquired property and planned the facility, which was constructed for $2 million. After several years of praying, Olivet broke ground for the facility on June 2, 1996. And in partnership with University Hospitals of Cleveland the vision of the Otis Moss Jr. ~ University Hospitals Medical Center was finally realized and dedicated on November 16, 1997.
The compassionate, holistic approach to health care combines pastoral care, spiritual intervention, wellness and education within a 15,000 square foot modern facility. The goal was to provide inner-city residents with more accessible, quality outpatient care. It houses medical offices and examination rooms, a chapel, classrooms and the offices of the Olivet Health and Education Institute. Physicians affiliated with the hospital system staff the center, which provides internal medical, pediatric, obstetric-gynecological care. The Olivet Health and Education Institute helps the church and Medical Center to incorporate faith and prayer into health, healing and wholeness.
In 1995, Rev. Moss decided it was time to change the previous church logo of a descending dove. With the artistry of Sister Sandra Gilbert-Jackson, a long time member of Olivet, a new logo was designed which is scripturally based. The Olivet logo is a cross, made of nails and a descending dove. The cross represents the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation. The descending dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit descending upon us as followers of Jesus Christ. The Cross and the Dove reflect the promises given in Galatians 6:14 and in Acts 1:8, respectively. They represent a Living Christ, the Living Word and the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Today the church is filled with more than 50 spiritually-based programs and ministries. Among them is the O. M. Hoover Education Fund, which helps youths with financial assistance to attend college and identify other funding sources for their education. A prison ministry that helps incarcerated persons and family members learn to live productive, creative and Christ-centered lives. Alcoholics Anonymous operates a weekly program called “Free At Last,” that embrace the afflicted and counsels families. There is the Christian Academy, fully certified by the American Baptist Churches U.S.A., to teach participants how to become better Christians through service within Olivet and beyond.
We have many outstanding youth ministries such as the Rites of Passage, Mentor/Mentee Program, Boy and Girl Scout Troops, Junior Deacons, a Youth Choir and Children’s Learning Center. We have been blessed to add several afterschool programs for youth enrichment and an Investment Club to teach lifelong stewardship for our students. There is also an emergency food pantry and clothing program offered, as well as a weekly catalogue of job opportunities for our members. We have the intergenerational Olivet Computer Training program which helps to reduce the gap of the digital divide.
Beyond our church walls we respond to human needs with support, personal contact and substantial contributions to nearly twenty organizations such as The City Mission, Karamu House and the Greater Cleveland Red Cross among others. We have traveled on culturally rich pilgrimages led by Pastor Moss to West and South Africa, Egypt, Israel, The Holy Land and Brazil designed to liberate thought and plant seeds for new insights.
As seen throughout our history, to Olivet, Faith and Vision is not just some new concept but simply another leg on our journey a new challenge Olivet is prepared to meet. From forty (40) to over three thousand (3000), we have become a multitude carrying the legacy of those original members and four former shepherds, building our hopes and dreams on nothing less than Jesus’ love and faithfulness. And it does not yet appear what we shall be through Faith and Vision. Let us continue on this journey, holding fast to our mission:
“To preach, teach and practice the unconditional love of Jesus Christ.”
