About Mt. Olive Baptist Church - Twiggs County

The Black churches in Twiggs County is interwoven with the history of White churches.  This can be attributed to two related institutions:  slavery and legislative proceedings to deal with the institution of slavery.   In the New Testament a church is defined as a congregation of baptized believers in Christ; as in Matthew 16:18 “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  In the year of our Lord, 1870, on Faulk’s Plantation, one mile west of where the present building now stands, “Baptist Church of Christ at Mt. Ally (olly)” came into existence.

 

FOUNDERS

Reverend Alford Durham  -  a slave owned by  Hardy Durham. He joined Jeffersonville Baptist Church (white), with experience, in 1854 and was ordained by same in 1866.  After a committee “waited upon” him, having been trained by Reverend William Horne, Reverend Durham is reported to be  the first member to receive ordination from that church.

Deacon Councle Sams- was born in North Carolina.   He was elected Church Treasurer August 9, 1873.

Deacon Isaac Williams  -  No information has been given

Deacon Spring Shine-  Deacon Shine was ordained second Sunday in December 1873 “for deacon of Baptist Church of Christ at Mt. Ally (Olly)”.  This seem to indicate that he was not a Deacon in the founding, or was re-ordained.

Deacon Dock Mims  -  Father of Sis. Della Mims Quainton and father of Sister Pinkey Wright Twyman and grandfather of Deacon Robert Wright, Jr. 

Deacon January “Werry” Mims  -  Father of Deacon Horace Mims.  Served as Church Treasurer from 1968 to March 22, 1977
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Sister Gracy Sams  -  “Perhaps” the wife of Deacon Councle Sams.

Sister Nelcy Mims  -  “First Mother of  Church”

Reverend Thornton Frye - “First Pastor”