History
On March 12, 1855, John B. Brown and his wife Cornelia, and William Marcy and his wife Ann, resolved an ownership dispute over the church site property by each deeding that property in trust for a Methodist Protestant Church meetinghouse and burial ground. George C. Wunder, the owner of a nearby farm, made the first contribution to the church building fund in the amount of one hundred dollars (equivalent to more than eight thousand dollars today). The cornerstone for the first building, a two story structure approximately 35 feet by 50 feet in size, was laid in 1855 and the building was completed in 1860, the year before the American Civil War began. In the summer of 1861, Union soldiers retreating from the First Battle of Bull Run encamped near the church and commandeered it for use as a hospital and then a stable. The soldiers later dismantled the church building to provide firewood and other supplies for the war effort, but a tiny congregation persevered.
Specialties
We are an inclusive, growing congregation of the United Methodist Church. Diverse in age, background, and life experience, we strive to be a place for all ages to gather, grow in discipleship, and go out in service. Mount Olivet is committed to loving God and loving neighbor with our whole selves - heart, mind, soul, and strength. We believe that all persons are of sacred worth and dignity as part of God's creation, as demonstrated by the ministry of Jesus Christ. We, therefore, welcome ALL persons into the life and ministry of our congregation regardless of race, culture, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or socioeconomic status, education, politics, physical or mental ability or health, or faith history.