Our History
In the absence of local church records, a history has been pieced together through oral histories, family and conference records, as well as some government records.
In 1847, Abner Martin, Isaac Rush and Christian Reaksecker, trustees of the United Brethren in Christ, purchased one acre of land from the heirs of Azariah Hoskinson. This land had been reserved from the sale of his estate for a "meeting house and burying ground." Azariah was probably the first burial in the cemetery in 1842.
It is unknown whether a congregation existed before this date, but there are some records that indicate one did. Abner Martin was listed among "local preachers" in the 1825 conference record of the United Brethren in Christ. This was also the date given on a WPA cemetery survey which was done in the 1930s. The source for that date is unknown, but the fact that both the survey and Abner's listing in the conference records for that year would appear to support the theory that a congregation existed and it was for this congregation the Hoskinson family set aside the land. It is also of note that Azariah Hoskinson was a brother-in-law to Abner Martin, as Abner married Azariah's sister.
About the year 1980, many of the older members of the church and community recalled hearing of a church that predated the current building. It was located east of the site where the church now stands. It was a log cabin with two entry doors. One account said it was also used for a school. Traces of the steep road used to access this site are still visible.
In 1869, the United Brethren conference renamed the Monroe Circuit the Mt. Olive Circuit. It was also in this year that the church purchased an additional half-acre of land from Absalom Martin, Abner's son. An atlas of Monroe County designates a church at the spot where Mt. Olive still stands, proving a church was definitely in existence by this date.
While one oral account said the current building was built in 1869, a member of the Rush family recalled it was built in the 1880s. Neither account can be verified by another source.
In 1963, a basement was added to the church. This addition housed five Sunday School rooms and a furnace room. The first Bible School was also held this year and the Youth Fellowship was also established. That step in faith increased the youth ministry of the church.
More construction began in 1987, when the church took another step in faith and built a parsonage adjacent to the church. This ranch style home has three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, a study, kitchen, living room, garage and full basement was completed in 1989. Since the church has been without a pastor since 2009, members of the congregation felt called to start a clothing ministry. The Threads of Hope Clothes Closet is now located in the parsonage and has ministered to many families throughout the area.
In 1997 a generous donation was made to the church from the estate of Joseph P. Sole. The sanctuary was remodeled, a new furnace with air-conditioning was added, and the basement was remodeled. Shortly afterwards, the congregation again felt God was calling Mt. Olive out in faith. Plans were discussed for building a fellowship hall. The excavation work began in 2005. The work was mostly completed by the members of the congregation. The building received state approval on December 31, 2013. It has already been the site of fellowship dinners, Bible studies, a wedding, anniversary celebration, New Year's celebration, worship services and youth activities. The congregation looks forward to the next step God has for them.
The church history came from the research of Karen Romick which was published in a history entitled "Mt. Olive Church: A Light on the Hill."