Near Mt. Juliet in Wilson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Mt. Olivet Baptist Church
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 13, 2025
1. Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Marker closeup
Mount Olivet, the oldest Baptist Church in Wilson County was constituted on April 25, 1801. Until 1843, it was known as Big Cedar Lick Church. Begun in 1859, the native stone building, Ύ mile west, was finished after the Civil War. Slaves hauled the stones for the 2-foot thick walls on a lizard pulled by oxen, then lifted them with a gin pole.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 102.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 25, 1801.
Location. 36° 11.586′ N, 86° 25.514′ W. Marker is near Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, in Wilson County. It is on Hickory Ridge Road 0.4 miles west of Martha-Leeville Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7463 Hickory Ridge Road, Mount Juliet TN 37122, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee and in Greater Nashville. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Edward F. Geers (approx. 4.6 miles away); Dedicated to the Honor and Sacrifice of Our Men and Women Who Served Our Country (approx. 4.8 miles away); Charlie Daniels (approx. 5.1 miles
this page online
More about this marker. This is one of three identical markers for the church. The other two are located nearby at the intersection of Hickory Ridge Road and TN-109.
Also see . . . Gin pole at Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 31, 2020, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 30, 2020
2. Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Marker
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 30, 2020
3. Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Marker
4. A "lizard" as mentioned in the marker text
This image of a lizard used for logging is from "Oxen: A Teamster's Guide to Raising, Training, Driving & Showing" by Drew Conroy.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 30, 2020
5. Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Marker (Duplicate #1)
Located at southeast corner of TN-109 and Hickory Ridge Road.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 30, 2020
6. Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Marker (Duplicate #2)
Located at northwest corner of TN-109 and Hickory Ridge Road.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 904 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 9, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4. submitted on May 31, 2020, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 5, 6. submitted on June 14, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
