Riceville Mt Olive Baptist Church
Church History
The Riceville Mount Olive Baptist Church was organized in a Brush Arbor on March 11, 1889, by the late Rev. John L. Lilly. Its membership numbered eight. On October 11, 1889, a developer by the name of John Ruby donated a site for the church and burial grounds on the back of Keegans Bayou. The Rev. John L. Lilly was called as pastor and the Church was named Riceville. Rev. Lilly was successful in building the Church and served as pastor for twenty years until he departed this life, from labor to reward. Rev. Lilly was succeeded by the late Rev. I. Griffin who stood on the walls for sixteen years. In 1916, the Church was destroyed by a storm. The church was later rebuilt. The Rev. T. H. Shermann was called by the Church, and he came with the vision of a greater Riceville. Under his leadership, 12 feet were added to the building, which is still a part of Riceville today. After seven years of faithful leadership, Rev. Shermann resigned due to ill health. In 1942, Rev. Travis Spiller was called to be the pastor.
In 1944, a new building 34’ X 70’ was erected by the Rev. C. H. Mitchell. A two story building was erected and attached to the existing church building. The cafeteria occupied the lower portion of the new building and upper portion was used for classrooms and other accommodations. In 1953, Rev. T. E. Spiller resigned. That same year, Rev. C. L. Miller was called and served for fourteen years before resigning in 1967. In August of 1967, Rev. Joe D. Johnson, a spiritually lead gospel preacher of unusual discernment, was called as Pastor.
On July 4, 1968, the Church Building was destroyed by fire; and all was lost, except the Holy Bible. After the fire, Sunday Church services were held in the wooden frame house at the property on Riceville School Road (now known as 11231 South Gessner). Under leadership of Rev. Joe Johnson, a new building was erected. The first Church services in the new sanctuary were held in May of 1971. In 1983, the Church purchased property on South Breeze for parking accommodations. That same year, the Church added 30 feet to the front of the sanctuary. Property behind the existing church was acquired in 1985, because of the growing congregation. Later that year a mobile building was placed on the site and is presently used for classrooms. Due to continued growth, in July of 1986, the church acquired 9.983 acres on South Gessner on which to build a new church building. On September 30, 1994, the Church purchased an additional 16.82 acres.
Through divine guidance, prayers and continued support, Pastor Johnson’s vision to build a bigger Riceville has become a reality. On December 8, 2002, the new church building construction was completed. On December 22, 2002, the new edifice open its doors and held the first service under the guidance of Pastor Joe Johnson.