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Mount Olivet United Methodist Church was established some fifty-eight years
after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In 1834, this church
like many others was a pioneer church striving to meet the needs of a rural
community. Like the new nation, the physical structure grew and evolved
to meet the changing ways of the people and the times.
The first church was a log structure with an open fireplace, a crude lectern, and log benches
without backs. Membership grew until a second church was built in 1873 and
finally a third church in 1891. Throughout the years, this third church has
undergone many expansions and changes.
A parsonage was built in 1931.
The interior of the sanctuary was renovated in 1954 and in 1976 a second
educational building was completed. The years have brought various
improvements, programs, and changes to the little log church that was the beginning.
There are several members of the congregation that possess many memories of the church's
history. Faye Salley is the Church Historian, and a conversation with her will
always bring to light new and interesting details of the Mount Olivet legacy.
Please remember to check back frequently as this page in Mt. Olivet's history
book continues to be updated.
The Parsonage
The Davidson Charge of the Thomasville district must have decided to build a
new parsonage on the corner across from Mount Olivet about the same time
that the Congregation at Mount Olivet decided to build a new educational
building.
Material for the Mount Olivet building was on the grounds in January, 1930. At
the September, 1930 Quarterly conference of the Charge it was reported that:
"The Mt. Olivet Building is complete except for a part of the painting.
Just as soon as seats can be obtained the building will be occupied." That
building was dedicated when it was debt free in early 1933.
A second special Quarterly Conference of the Charge was called later that same
September in 1930 to consider a matter concerning the parsonage. At that meeting:
"It was moved and seconded that we ask the Church Board of Extension for $1800
dollars to help in building the parsonage. The motion was carried without a
dissenting vote." Maybe the effect of the stock market crash of the previous
October was beginning to be felt.
The board must have given the support, because the parsonage was completed in 1931.
The Reverend Sam Needam and his family moved in from the old parsonage in Arcadia,
where they had lived since 1929. In addition to Mrs. Needham there were Samuel B.,
George, Julia Virginia, Frances and Neil Reid.
The financial strain on the congregation at Mount Olivet must have been great.
They were dealing with the debt on their new Educational Building, though
they were of course being helped with the parsonage by the congregations at Good Hope,
Centenary and Arcadia. A Quarterly conference report in February, 1932, says:
"Both parsonage fund and educational building fund being struggled with."
The Ladies Missionary Society seems to have taken the lead in supporting the parsonage.
In 1935 they paid $35 for a "cement sidewalk." In 1937 they bought curtains,
recovered settees and chairs and put linoleum on the kitchen floor. The
linoleum cost them $16.90 "in place." In 1949 they replaced the
wood stove with an electric range. They bought shrubbery in 1963. Something
always seemed to need painting.
Mount Olivet bought the parsonage from the Charge in 1982, when Mount
Olivet became a station.
In 1998 the parsonage underwent a major refurbishing. The work was done
by members of the congregation and by professionals. Rev. Dan Hester, his wife Julie and son Hank
lived in temporary quarters for three months before the congregation
could welcome them into their new sixty year old home.
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