Olivet celebrated its 125th year in 2005.

It had its beginning in the "Harmony Meeting House," which was situated about two city blocks from the present location of Olivet Church . A deed, recorded in the year 1844, indicates that the Meeting House was to be used by the people of every faith, "the trustees seeing that justice is done in every particular to all parties."

A small group of Presbyterians, who had but recently settled in the community, used Mount Harmony Church as their place of worship.

Preaching in Harmony Church by Presbyterian ministers began in the summer of 1877. As the number of Presbyterian people in the community continued to increase, the time seemed right for seeking a distinctly Presbyterian Church organization. A petition, asking for recognition as an individual Church, was sent to West Hanover Presbytery. The petition being granted, the new Church was organized in Mount Harmony Church on September 25, 1880. "Olivet" was chosen as the name by which the new Church should be known. The first regular minister was the Reverend Hugh Henry.

The new congregation continued to meet in the Harmony Church until January 10, 1887, when the building was destroyed by fire. Five days later, the Presbyterians appointed a committee to solicit funds for a new building. In 1889, the present building, the sanctuary of ""Olivet," was completed.

The Session records for the year 1889 indicate that the membership consisted of 44 persons, and the pastor's salary for the year ""actually paid" amounted to $95.90.

Olivet's Pastors (click to view)

The second pastor was the Reverend P. H. Gwinn, who served until 1892. He was followed in 1893 by the Reverend J. C. Painter, a beloved Man of God, who gave the church its longest pastorate, a period of twenty-three years. The Reverend R. T. Wallace was called to Olivet in 1917. During his pastorate, plans for the first Olivet manse were formulated.

The manse, located onOwensville Road, was completed in 1920. The Reverend W. M. Miller served as pastor from January to October in the year 1920. The Reverend DouglasAmick became pastor of the Church in June of 1921. The members then numbered 84. In the fall of 1923, the Reverend J. A. Thomas was extended a call to become pastor of the Church. His pastorate, a fruitful one, lasted until 1936. The Reverend L. F. Kinney served from 1936 to 1937; the Reverend Clarence K. Ale from 1938 to 1939; the Reverend Cary N.Weisiger, III from 1940 to 1942; the Reverend BruceWideman from 1944 to 1950; the Reverend George W. Marston from 1951 to 1952; the Reverend Henry W. Roth supplied from 1952 to 1953; the Reverend L. Eugene Jordan from 1953 to 1959; the Reverend James E. Lindsey, Jr. from 1960 to 1964; and the Reverend James M. Ammons served from 1966 to 1974. The Reverend William Baker Young's ministry was from 1975 to 1978; the Reverend Harold Shiflet served from 1979 to 1984; the Reverend David Allen Dickerson served from 1985 to 1991; and the Reverend JerryKasberg served from 1992 to 1994. The present minister, Reverend AlbertConnette, came to Olivet in 1996.

Construction and Growing

In 1947, a new Sunday school building was completed, and a new electric organ was given in memory of the Calhoun Family. New pulpit furniture was also given by the Thomas Family, in memory of the Reverend J. A. Thomas. In 1957, new pews were added, and the Bibb family, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Bibb, gave new vestibule furniture.

In June of 1967, theAmmons Family moved into the new manse, which was built on land, which adjoins the Church property, given by a Calhoun family member.

In 1990, due to growth in membership, the congregation approved a long-range plan of a three-phase building expansion and renovation.

In 1992, Phase I of the three-phase building program was completed. It included a new kitchen, office space, air conditioning in the Sunday school building, new restrooms, janitor's closet, and a new septic system.

In 1993, the Session reactivated the Long-Range Panning Committee. The need for additional space, to house the growing Church programs, led the Committee to recommend proceeding with Phase II of the building plan -the addition of a new Fellowship Hall to the east end of the Sunday school building.

In December of 1995, the Session approved the formation of a Building Committee, whose major tasks were to select an architect, implement the long-range plan in designing Phase II, review the needs of the Sunday school classes, determine the best use of the old Fellowship Hall area, and choose an appropriate design for the entrance to the new Fellowship Hall. Session approved the funds necessary for the Building Committee to begin drafting a set of plans for the Fellowship Hall, sufficiently detailed to permit a preliminary selection of a contractor and a cost estimate for Phase II.

On March 24, 1996, the congregation of Olivet approved proceeding with the project of expansion and renovation. Groundbreaking was held on August 18, 1996, and construction began in September with Wray Brothers, Inc. of Charlottesville as the general contractor.

The addition included a Fellowship Hall, two rooms for a nursery, a storage room for tables and chairs, and an entry vestibule with coat storage area. At the end of the hall is a stage with a storage room below. Phase II also included renovation of the first floor of the Fellowship Hall, which provided space for the relocation of the Pastor's study, a secretarial office, a room for meetings, and adult classes.

Phase II was completed in 1997 at a cost of about $250,000. Over the Summer of 1997, the Property Committee renovated the second floor of the educational building, converting six smaller rooms into three to accommodate larger children's classes.

In July, 2000, a playground area was built and equipped, and in October, 2000, construction will begin for additional paved parking areas and outdoor play field.

In 2002, the Olivet Session established a Building Committee to select an architect and solicit input from the congregation for the Phase III addition.  Plans were approved in January 2003, and approval was obtained from the county in the summer of 2004.  The cost was set at $980,000.  Ground breaking began on the last Sunday of August 2004.  The completed Phase III addition was dedicated in a ceremony on July 31, 2005.

The Church owns a cemetery adjoining the Church property. Six ministers have gone out from the Olivet Church. They are Reverend Alden Anderson, Reverend Alfred Anderson, Reverend Harry Whitmore, Reverend Manson Estes, Reverend Cecil Smith, and Reverend David K. Garth.

Olivet shares in mission support of the work of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. in the United States and 80 other countries, and currently designates support to David and Bonnie Burns in Kyrgzstan; Juan and Manuela Kauer in Argentina; and Jim and Ann Miller in Kenya.

In 1998, new risers and pews were acquired for the choir, which allow them to see and be seen and heard. The choir is a very important part of Olivet's services every week.

In 1999, a new organ was placed in the Church through the efforts of the congregation and friends. A new wonderful piano was given in 1999 as a memorial to Dr. Charles "Kim" Borchardt by gifts to the congregation and his family.

Keeping Busy with the Community

Olivet continues to have a joint Thanksgiving service with Ivy Creek Methodist and Oak Union Baptist Churches. The church has been very involved in the building of houses through Habitat for Humanity, mission work trips, and starting a new church north of Charlottesville with other District I churches of the Presbytery of the James.

The size and make-up of the congregation and surrounding community led to the development of a second service in 1998. Olivet now offers three worship services: one at 8:30 a.m. , one at 9:45 a.m. and one at 11 a.m. These services are well attended.

Olivet has always seen that its young people and children had attention in Sunday school and "young people's" group. In recent years, we have included an after-school program for church and neighborhood children.

Our summertime ministry of music and Bible activities has been expanded to include a children's day camp on the Wednesdays in July, a senior-high mission trip, and a mid-high disciple camp.

Olivet members give thanks for the vision, support, and work of this congregation and God who has worked through it all, enabling us to have a functional, pleasing, and comforting facility for our future ministry.