In Clark Co. 8 miles south of Winchester on the Muddy Creek pike, in the locality known from early times as the Haggard-Hampton settlement; aslo as a Baptist settlement.
John Haggard Sr. married Mary Shepherd in Va.
James French, another frontiersman, secured jointly 2000 acres of land in this section, either by pre-emption or patent. They afterwards divided the land, Haggard taking his part on which Mt. Olive meeting house now stands. John Haggard built a frontiersman's cabin and settled on his land. French's part of the land soon passed into the hands of the Hamptons and has been in their possession ever since.
John Haggard Sr. raised a family of 4 girls and 4 boys, all of whom settled in that community, because Baptists were influential citizens. His son John (see Unity Church) married Mouring Quisenberry, dau. of Elder James Quisenberry the pioneer Baptist preacher. Sally, a dau. of John Haggard Sr. married in Feb 1803 to Jesse Hampton (see Indian Creek Church). There was another Jesse Hampton who married Nancy Jackson in Jan. 1813, whose daughter Polly married A. Howard Hampton Sr. He was also a Baptist and became a prominent and wealthy citizen of Clark Co. He was one of the constituent members of Mt. Olive Church and his children and grandchildren have always taken an active interest in this church.
After the records of Mt. Olive were destroyed by fire, A. Howard Hampton Sr. and Judge A.L. Haggard were appointed a committee to write the present constitution. For many years this church was one of the strongest in Boone's Creek Assn.
Dr. W.F. Broaddus and Elder Edward Darnaby were instrumental in gathering Mt. Olive Church. We might say her two daughters, Ephesus and Allensville, most of their constituent members were from Mt. Olive.
Elder Edward Darnaby considered the first pastor.
Committees: From Indian Creek Church, David T. Haggard, Jesse Hampton, David Reed and Elder S.V. Potts; and on the part of Unity Church, Joel Quisenberry, John Haggard and Pleasant Haggard (all being sons or sons-in-law of John Haggard Sr. except Elder potts). The two churuches met at Indian Creek Church for constituting what is now known as Mt. Olive Church.
The church appointed a building committee consisting of Joel Quisenberry, Jesse Hampton, David Reed, David T. Haggard and John Haggard Jr (all 5 being sons and sons-in-law of John Haggard Sr.) ... The dedicatory sermon was by Dr. Wm. Pratt. David T. Haggard was clerk.
Elder Darnaby resigned in 1850 and Elder T.I. Wills was called.
Sept. 17, 1853 Elder T.I. Wills was pastor, David T. Haggard clerk. Church membership 172.
In July 1856 a series of meetings, 54 members added.
In March 1858 David T. Haggard resigned; F.S. allen chosen in his place.
In Jan 1861 Elder Geo. Boraddus became pastor, served only a few months.
In May 1862 a series of meetings; 32 additions.
In Feb. 1862 Elder T.I. Wills again became pastor; resigned in April 1863.
In Oct. 1863 Elder A.D. Rash became under-shepherd; served until Feb. 1868.
In March 1868 Elder t.I. Wills entered upon his 3rd pastorate, serving until Dec. 1871. This valient old preacher died Sept. 23, 1872.
In Oct 1868 committee appointed to meet with Winchester First Church to organize a Home Missionary Board within the bounds of Boone's Creek Assn.
In March 1869 Mt. Olive voted or ordain one of her members, Bro. Elias Brookshire, to the ministry.
In Nov. 1871 the church voted to send some brethren to assist in organizing a Baptist Church called Corinth in Clark Co.
In March 1872 F.S. Allen resigned as clerk and Henry A. Hampton was chosen as clerk.
In Nov 1872 Elder W.V. Arvn accepted the pastorate unti Jan 1874.
In June 1873 F.S. Allen again elected clerk; resigned Oct. 1875 when his son, James L. Allan, was chosen clerk.
Judge F.S. Allen was moderator of Boone's Creek Assn. in 1879 and 1880.
In Oct. 1874 the church voted to assess each member 50 cents for missionary work in Boone's Creek Assn.
In Feb 1875 Elder J.L. Smith accepted as supply pastor for a time.
In May 1875 Elder A.F. Baker became under-shepherd for 5 years.
In Oct 1875 a brother reported he had been playing "weevil wheat" and dancing but could not convince himself that it was wrong. A committee was appointed ot confer with the brother.
At the next meeting another brother came before the church and stated he had never realized that his sins were pardoned, therfore requested the church to exclude him. The church granted his request. He afterwards gave his heart to God and became useful in church work.
In Aug 1876 the church gave $227 to the Baptist Centennial Committee of Louisville, Ky.
Elder J.L. Smith again became pastor in June 1880 for 1 year.
In Feb 1881 George Doyle declined a call as pastor.
Elder J. Dallas Simmons became under shepherd in Aug 1881, serving until Aug 1887 when he resigned.
In May 1882 the church agreed to have a Sunday School. This is the first mention of a Sunday School in the church minutes but in Boone's Creek Assn. the records show they had a Sunday School as early as 1876.
In Oct 1882 S.P. Hodgkin was elected clerk.
In July 1884 the church voted to let the Sunday School purchase an organ to be used by the Sunday School, with the understanding they must remove it from the house any time the church requested its removal.
In Nov. 1886 the church agreed to forgive all her members who had been guilty of dancing in the past, but in no way would permit any of her members to participate in the dance in the future.
In Dec. 1886 S.P. Hodgkin resigned as clerk; T.S. Allan was appointed in his place.
In Sept. 1887 15 members were granted letters of dismissal to enter into the constitution of a new church at Allansville. Elder j. Pike Powers began with them in March 1888 for 2 years.
In Oct 1889 the church held a series of meetings; 30 additions.
In April 1890 Rev. A.H. Anthony became thier pastor for 1 year when Richard French became their under-shepherd in May 1891. He kept watchcare over the flock until Jan. 1895.
Then Rev. I.T. Creek accepted care of the church in April 1895. He served them until Jan 1896.
In May 1896 Elder J. S. Wilson accepted care of the church, remaining 4 years.
On Sept. 15, 1900 the church ordained Bro. P.J. Conkwright, one of its members, to the ministry.
In April 1901 Elder T.S. Hubert accepted a call of the church but remained only 3 months.
He was succeeded in Nov. 1891 by Rev. Otis Hughson, who served 3 years.
In Aug 1905 Rev. O.P. Bush accepted care of the church; remained as pastor until Jan. 1908.
The minutes of Oct. 1905 mention the death of Bro. T.S. Alen, who had been clerk more than 8 years.
In Oct. 1905 Gordon Haggard was elected clerk.
In June 1909 Rev. T.C. Duke accepted the pastorate until May 1911.
In April 1910 the church records the death of her oldest member, Sister Sallie Gordon. "She was 93 years old."
About Jan 1912 Rev. C.E. Wanford became pastor until May 1913. He was succeeded by Rev. E.D. Poe in Aug 1913; continued until June 1915.
In Sept. 1914 clerk and pastor appointed a committee to revise the churh roll.
In Dec. 1915 Rev. Z.Y. Ammerson accepted the pastorate until Sept. 1916. He was succeeded by Rev. A.N. Nicholson, who served until June 1920. He held a series of meetings in July 1917 assisted by Rev. W.R. Farrar; 15 additions.
In June 1919 the church entertained the Sunday School Convention of Boone's Creek Assn.
The present clerk (1923), Everett Gravett accepted the clerkship in May 1920, upon the resignation of Gordon A. Haggard, who had signed the minutes every time for 15 years.
In Jan 1921 Rev. W.S. Shearer accepted the pastorate; served until Sept. 1922.
Rev. -- Arbuckle accepted the call in March 1923, but remained only 2 months.
The church has been a member in good standing and fellowship of Boone's Creek Assn. since the constitution of the church and has entertained 7 annual sessions of that body in the years 1853, 1862, 1873, 1882, 1902 and 1913.
Elias Brookshire and Pleasant J. Conkwright were ordained to the ministry in 1869 - members of this church.
Pastors
During the 78 years of existence as a church, Mt. Olive Church has been served by 23 pastors. Year indicates the year first served:
| Name |
Year |
|
Name |
Year |
| Edward E. Darnaby | 1845 | | Richard French | 1891 |
| Thornton I. Wills | 1850 | | I.T. Creek | 1895 |
| 1862 | | J.S. Willson | 1896 |
| 1868 | | T.S. Hubert | 1901 |
| George Broaddus | 1861 | | Otis Hughson | 1901 |
| Ambrose D. Rash | 1863 | | O.P. Bush | 1905 |
| W.B. Arvin | 1872 | | T.C. Duke | 1909 |
| John L. Smith | 1875 | | C.E. Wanford | 1912 |
| 1880 | | E.D. Poe | 1913 |
| A.F. Baker | 1875 | | Z.Y. Ammerson | 1915 |
| J. Dallas Simmons | 1881 | | A.M. Nicholson | 1916 |
| J. Pike Powers | 1888 | | W.S. Shearer | 1921 |
| A.H. Anthony | 1890 | | Rev. -- Arbuckle | 1923 |
Deacons
Year indicates the year ordained:
| Name |
Year |
|
Name |
Year |
| James Haggard | 1854 | | R.E. Quisenberry | 1902 |
| Pleasant J. Conkwright Sr. | 1860 | | Minor Hisle | 1902 |
| Allen S. Haggard | 1867 | | Allen Excton | 1906 |
| T. Jeff Haggard | 1867 | | A.J. Gravett | 1910 ** |
| P.E. Allan | 1889 | | Audley Haggard | 1920 |
| James Eubank | 1902 | | | |
** Previously ordained, this is the year chosen.
Clerks
Year indicates beginning of service
| David T. Haggard |
1845 |
| Frank S. Allen |
1858 |
| 1873 |
| Henry A. Hampton |
1872 |
| James L. Allen |
1875 |
| George Doyle |
1881 |
| Sam P. Hodgkin |
1882 |
| T.S. Allen |
1886 |
| Gordon A. Haggard |
1905 |
| Everett Gravett |
1920 * |
* Is the current clerk as of 1923. |
