Rev. Solomon
The Establishment of the Church
1954-1958
In 1954, Twilight Baptist Church was established under the leadership of Rev. Solomon. The newly-organized church worshipped in various locations while looking for a more permanent place of worship.
Rev. O.C. Jones
New Leadership & Church Name
1958-1963
In 1958, under the new leadership of Rev. O.C. Jones, we acquired a building at 9515 S. Hoover St. Los Angeles. The church was then renamed, Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church. In 1963, Rev. Darnell McClinton became the Pastor.
Rev. Darnell McClinton
New Leadership & Church Location
1963-1994
In 1963, Rev. Darnell McClinton became the Pastor. Although the membership was small, and the finances were low, the church still operated on high faith. God blessed the church in 1968 with the ability to purchase the land at our current location, 659 W. Colden Avenue, Los Angeles. On Christmas Eve 1969, the foundation was poured. Our first service was held on Thanksgiving Day, 1971. In 1994, the church went through another transition of pastoral leadership. God sustained us through the search of a new pastor.
Rev. C. Lamar Simmons
New Leadership & Direction
1995-Current
On June 4, 1995, C. Lamar Simmons became our Pastor. As the journey began the church experienced hardship and was in jeopardy of losing our property. On the second Sunday in July 1996, a “Benefit Service” was held on our behalf. In August of 1996, we were able to pay the sum of $10,000 toward the saving of our church. In 1999, Pastor Simmons led us in retiring the debt of our Fellowship Hall, located at 9535 South Hoover. In December 2007 the Lord blessed us to be debt-free and pay off our entire church mortgage.
In 2020 the world shifted us into a non-contact worship experience due to a global pandemic. Many changes affected how we as a church could operate during this time. Our worship experience has been facilitated by using modern technologies. Determined not to allow the pandemic to stop our praise We’ve launched our new website, church app, and updated all of our social media platforms in order to do ministry on a greater level.
We thank God for all that he has done for us down through the years - as we remember our past, appreciate our present, and anticipate our future. We just can’t help but extend the opportunity for you to be a part of our family and God’s favor that is being showered upon us. We know that he is not done yet and that the best is yet to come!