This is one of Ocilla’s most historic Black congregations. Notably, Dave Prater (1937-1988), of the famed soul duo Sam & Dave, sang in the church choir here in his youth. The seventh of ten children, Dave and his brother J. T. were members of the gospel group the Sensational Hummingbirds before Dave moved on to secular music. Dave grew up in Ocilla and his mother, Mary Pressley Prater (1902-1997) was a longtime member of Mt. Olive.
Karen P. writes: “This church is located on 7th Street, just east of the former railroad track that virtually separated the town by race. This was a grand building with a small balcony. My 87 year old mother remembers that it was a white church purchased by the African Methodist Episcopal congregation and moved to this site...”
This church is located on 7th Street, just east of the former railroad track that virtually seperated the town by race. This was a grand building with a small balcony. My 87 year old mother remembers that it was a white church purchased by the African Methodist Episcopal congregation and moved to this site. My Aunt Dorothy, a loyal member for years, was funeralized there this past summer, and my father’s family were members of Mt. Olive.