City: Vero Beach   County: Indian River   Year: 2025
Location: 2506 42nd St

In 1926, under the leadership of Elder Collins, a small group of African Americans, including Elder & Mother Collins, Deacon Jordan, Sister Annie Slater, Mother Mattie Phillips, and Mother Hattie McGriff, organized a church in Gifford. They named it Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church and began holding services in the homes of church members. In 1929, the congregants built this worship hall at the corner of two dirt roads, which became 25th Avenue and 42nd Street. As the congregation grew, more facilities were added, including a dining room, kitchen, and upstairs apartment. In 1967, under the guidance of Elder S. J. Lawrence, members laid the cornerstone and added red bricks to cover the exterior of the church. It was during this time that Mount Olive successfully paid off its mortgage. In the late 1970s, Mount Olive underwent further improvements, including the addition of a ladies’ lounge, a pastor's study, restrooms, and new pews. In 2004, hurricanes Frances and Jeanne struck within days of each other, causing damage to the building. Through the resilience and determination of the congregation including Grover and Mildred Little, Justine Demons, Frances Hutchinson, and others, they renovated the church.