Olivet Institutional Baptist Church

Side A: Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, one of the largest African American churches in Cleveland, was founded in February 1931. In 1950, the congregation constructed a new building on Quincy Avenue. The Olivet Institutional Baptist Church ministerial leadership and its congregants were ardent supporters of the civil rights movement. Combining social and political action with the ministry, Olivet supported sit-ins to integrate lunch counters and public facilities in the South and participated in social activism in Cleveland. During the pastorate (1952-1973) of Reverend Odie M. Hoover (1921-1973), Olivet became a key voice in the civil rights movement. In 1964, Rev. Hoover accompanied Dr. King to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The O.M. Hoover Christian Community Center, dedicated by Dr. King in 1966, symbolized Olivet’s commitment to community building and civil rights. (Continued on other side) Side B: (Continued from the other side) Rev. Hoover established a Southern Christian Leadership Council (SCLC) headquarters at the church which welcomed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during his visits to Cleveland. Rev. Hoover also led the United Pastors Association (UPA) which formed in 1966 as a response to the Hough Uprising and sought to alleviate root causes that led to the riots. In 1967, the UPA and SCLC engaged Dr. King for support of civil rights activities including Operation Breadbasket which launched at Olivet and challenged the discriminatory practices of large businesses. The groups also organized a voter registration drive that culminated with a speech given by King at Olivet on August 23, 1967. This campaign registered 40,000 new African American voters and ultimately played a major role in the election of Mayor Carl B. Stokes.