Congressman Bishop to donate $5M to local Albany church

Funds will support Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church's community housing project

ALBANY, GA- Thursday afternoon, Congressman Sanford Bishop will be presenting a $5 million check to Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist church in Albany.

The church’s community outreach coordinator, Larry Shaw says “Congressman Bishop has been doing this good work for a while now, but this is not something that’s new.”

Since 2008, Mount Olive Baptist Church saw a need to try and provide affordable and decent housing to those in need within the Albany community.

On February 23rd, Congressman Bishop will grant them the much needed funds to continue fulling this need. Allowing them to fully renovate around 118 homes in St. John’s Estates.

“The renovations include going and pretty much gutting out those areas that have issues with water damage, and putting in new pipes for each other on those units and working soon the outside to do roofing, landscaping and whatever is needed to beautify that land down there” Shaw says.

Half of the houses were renovated in the past, but due to financial issues and COVID putting everything on hold, these homes have been waiting years to get their much needed make over.

However, over the years 3-4 different locations have helped increase the amount of homeowners in the Good Life City. As well as provide thousands of Albany residents and out of state refugees with affordable housing.

“When hurricane Katrina hit a lot of residents from Louisiana moved to Georgia but we had quite a few residents to move here to Albany” says Shaw. “And one of the things they were looking for and a number of those people moved down there.. even at this time we have some residents still living down there.”

Shaw says the church appreciates Bishop’s efforts in supporting their vision and goal of serving the community.

“I believe that the church in whatever community its located should be a partner in that community. it means a lot to have somebody like congressman bishop to help us… he has always been available in any way that he can.”

Aside from Saint John’s Estate (formerly known at Boyette Village), Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist owns, upkeeps and runs multiple complex’s and establishments throughout Albany. A few include Woodland Height’s Apartment Complex, the Mt. Olive Recreational Center, Mt. Olive Sports Complex, Jordan’s Crossing Apartments, Merritt Street Development and Bonnyview Development.

This church also offers after school programs through their OASIS Program and the Mount Olive Community Outreach Center.

If you are interested in renting or buying a property, donating to the church, their projects or need information regarding their services and programs you can visit their website or give them a call at (229) 435-9961.

Congressman Bishop is set to present the check in front of the St. John’s Estates Thursday (Feb. 23) at noon.