When Oklahoma City, Olivet was established in 1910, the church was on the edge of a boom town with the population of Oklahoma City growing by 1,500 percent between 1910-17. By the early 1950s, the church had grown from 25 charter members to an attendance of more than 2,500, and was one of the leading churches in the state, with two worship services and in the top tier of most church statistics.

Olivet, which now has an attendance of 75-100, celebrated its 115th anniversary June 7, and its ministry continues to be strong.

From the beginning, Olivet boasted of members who were leaders in Southern Baptist life. Both J.B. Rounds and W. D. Moorer, founders of Falls Creek, were members of Olivet. Education was led by Robert Bazzell, who later became the state’s Sunday School and Training Union director, and Joe Davis Heacock, who went on to head the School of Religious Education at Southwestern Seminary.

But by the late 1950s, Olivet found itself in the midst of the inner city, with neighborhood dynamics changing into an economically and culturally diverse area.

From the “glory days,” the area around the church gradually became a depressed neighborhood where many of the large, older homes on the outskirts of Oklahoma City when Olivet was founded, were turned into multi-family dwellings or boarded up. As the area continued to decline, Olivet in 1978 was offered a 10-acre mission site in north Oklahoma City. Olivet did not accept the land and thereby established its mission—to the neighborhood where it is located. Many times when a church’s community becomes challenged, the church moves, but Olivet said, “We are here to meet needs and will not leave this community because it is worth investing in.”

Since that time, Olivet has become a foundation of faith for the inner city, showing the love of God in practical terms. Over the years, members have begun an Even Start program, ministering to mothers and preschool children, hosted Angel Tree, Whiz Kids and a Big A program for children, started a mentoring program at a local elementary school, led GED and ESL classes and established a Hispanic ministry.

The church has operated a free medical ministry for the last 32 years, initiated block parties, sponsored back to school health fairs, and a clothing and food pantry.

In 1997, Olivet established Heart and Hand, a non-profit ministry which bought and remodeled houses in the area to provide for homeless women and children, alcoholics and troubled teens. To help support the endeavor and provide employment for women, the ministry operates a thrift center.

City, state and Southern Baptist leaders have praised Olivet for staying and working in its community with a practical application of the Gospel.

Former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating thanked the church for its inner city ministry: “As an inner city church, Olivet could be excused for limiting programs and budgets, for pulling within instead of reaching out; instead Olivet is a living, thriving example of a close connection between church and its community. Olivet’s love in action has made Oklahoma City a better place.”

Pastor Steve Kern (1996-2020) said he hopes anyone who looks at Olivet’s ministry will be able to say “That’s what Christianity is supposed to be. It’s not about resources; it’s about heart.”

In closing the anniversary celebration, interim pastor Jim Gerlt said, “The inner city needs strong, viable churches. With open hearts, we look forward to the future He is preparing for us.”

Photos courtesy of Dave Prentice.

Churches sponsored by Olivet Oklahoma City, Crestwood, Rancho Village, Sharon and Windsor Hills, and Holladay in Utah.

Olivet staff who went on to associational, state and Southern Baptist Convention service:

  • Pastor: Grady Cothen to president of OBU; then director of SBC Sunday School Board (Lifeway)
  • Associate Pastor: Henry Lamb to administrator of Baptist hospitals in Bristow and Grove Education ministers
  • Robert Bazzell to State Sunday School and Training Union Director
  • Bob Fuston to director of education for Baptist General Convention of Texas
  • Joe Mosely to associate director of missions for Dallas County Association
  • Ray Zacharias to Denver Sunday School Printing Press

Music ministers

  • John Gardner to music department of SBC Sunday School Board (Lifeway)
  • Paul Magar to director of church music for Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma