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The Mount Olive Baptist Church (MOBC) was founded in the spring of 1870 when twenty-four black citizens of Plainfield, NJ applied for and were granted “letters of dismissal” from the largest Baptist church in the city, the predominantly white First Baptist Church. On April 5, 1870, the group met in the basement of First Baptist and held two religious services, which marked the beginning of the long history of the Mouth Olive Baptist Church, the first black church in the City of Plainfield and also known as the “Mother Church”. The Church was duly incorporated on October 12, 1870, in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, and was to function as a New Jersey religious corporation.
Their vision was to play a significant role in forming a cohesive and stable community, often being considered the cornerstone of the African American community. They also envisioned the church not only as the spiritual and cultural foundation of Black people, but also as an educator and political leader. It was to be a refuge from, and a resistor to, the harsh realities of social discrimination, economic dislocation, and political disfranchisement.
Since its founding, fifteen pastors have faithfully shepherded the congregation. Under each Pastor, the church continued to grow and move forward with building God’s Kingdom. The current pastor, Reverend Eric W. Wallace, Sr., was called on September 26, 2016 and follows a line of devoted servant leaders: (1) Rev. John Cary (1870-1870); (2) Rev. John D. Bagwell (1870-1874); (3) Rev. William Burch (1875-1877); (4) Rev. Robert Newton Fairfax (1878-1884); (5) Rev. John W. Mitchell (1885-1889); (6) Rev. W. W. Warnock aka Franklin G. Warnick (1891-1895); (7) Rev. P. S. Gibson (1896-1898); (8) Rev. E. E. Jackson (1898-1907); (9) Rev. M. A. Alexander (1898-1907); (10) Rev. M. W. Vaughn aka M. B. Broughan (1908-1916); (11) Rev. Arthur D. Jones (1916-1943); (12) Rev. William T. B. Hill (1944-1947); (13) Rev. Herman S. Clipper (1948-1977); and (14) Rev. Donald DeWitt Nichols, Sr. (1978-2014).
With grateful hearts, we echo the psalmist: “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations” (Psalm 100:5). To God be the glory for His enduring love and abundant grace.
Rev. Eric W. Wallace, Sr. is an anointed preacher and Pastor Elect of the Mount Olive Baptist Church of Plainfield, NJ. He is known for his instructive and yet profound exposition of God's word. Pastor Wallace was born in Camden, NJ to Pastor Edward Wallace and the late Lauretta Wallace. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the tender age of 8 and was licensed to preach at the age of 11 by the Gethsemane Primitive Baptist Church in Newark, NJ. Pastor Eric preached his first sermon entitled "Trust In God and He Will Take Care of You" Exodus 14:13-14. Past Eric Wallace was Ordained September 29th, 1984 by the National Primitive Baptist Church Association.
Pastor Wallace began his pastoral career at the age of 25, serving first as Assistant Pastor to Rev. A.C Durant of Washington, D.C. and then planting a church named Victory Primitive Baptist Church in Alexandra, VA. He was elected as the first and youngest moderator in the county for the Primitive Baptist Movement. After serving faithfully in the Washington, D.C area, Pastor Wallace returned home to assist his father in planting a new church, New Life Baptist Church in Burlington, NJ. He was elected in 1998 as the second pastor of New Life Baptist Church after the retirement of his father.
Pastor Wallace holds a Bachelor's Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Master's Divinity School, Evansville, IN, and is currently a student at New Brunswick Theological Seminary in the Master of Divinity Program. Pastor Wallace has over 30 years in ministry and over 18 years as a Pastor and still has a compassion for God's people. Pastor Wallace can be found on social media spreading the gospel. He can often be heard saying "true change can only come when you have concerned clergy and compassionate congregants."