Church History
The earliest record of Mt. Olivet Church in the Jurisdiction Minutes is in the Minutes of the Convocation held February 6, 1880. At that time, Mt. Olivet Church was represented by
Mr. Jack Madison as Lay Preacher, and three Lay Delegates: Mr. Caesar Lloyd, Mr. Thomas Brown, and Mr. Henry Smalls. Rev. E.A. Forrest was the Presbyter, and each one was in charge of a number of churches and missions. Mt. Olivet reported 45 members – 11 in Sunday School. Total offerings for the year were $100.00, the minister’s salary was $24.40 for the year, and the Lay preacher’s salary was $2.00 for the year.
Since this Convocation was held in February of 1880, and the Church was going strong then with 45 members, it must have been organized some time earlier than 1880. The best guess that one can make is that it was probably organized in 1878.
In the minutes of the Convocation of 1887, Mr. Jack Madison was still the lay preacher. Lay delegates were Mr. C. Lloyd (who was also the Sunday School superintendent), and Mr. R. Wright. Mt. Olivet paid $19.85 budget for the year. We had 88 members; the jump in membership was due to the fact that the New Zion Mission, somewhere in this area, had closed. Most of the members of New Zion went back to the Methodist Church, the rest came in and joined Mt. Olivet.
Mt. Olivet Reformed Episcopal Church was organized in 1880. The previous building (which was the second building) was erected in 1920 and seated 100 people. Rev. P.J. Grant was the Rector, and The Rt. Rev. A.L. Pengelley was the Bishop. The Laying of the Corner-Stone was on May 13, 1956. The Trustees were Prince Scott (Senior Warden), James Dunmeyer (Junior Warden), Lizzie Wright (Secretary), William Scott (Treasurer), Rev. William A. Felder (Rector), and The Rt. Rev. J.E. Kearney, D.D., Bishop.
Rev. John H. Jenkins served two terms at Mt. Olivet. He served from 1959 to 1968 and was called to Mt. Olivet in 1975, making him the first minister installed at Mt. Olivet, and the first minister to be installed in the Charleston, Atlanta and Charlotte Synod (now the Diocese of the Southeast). His two terms totaled 25 years of service to our Lord through Mt. Olivet. We thank our Lord for Rev. and Mrs. Jenkins.
In 1976, the members decided to remodel or build a new church. We voted to build a new church since the old building was so badly deteriorated, only to find we did not have enough land to do either. With God’s blessing and guidance, we were led to Mr. Edward Pritchard who donated over an acre of land. After many trips to the Planning Board, years of fund-raising and hard work, we held the Ground-Breaking Service on Sunday, February 8, 1981. It was officiated by The Rt. Rev. William H.S. Jerdan, Bishop. Construction on the new building began in April 1981. Honorable mention must go to the contractor, John Dunmeyer, Jr. – who gave beyond what he was contracted to do. The members of Mt. Olivet worked very hard, but special recognition must be given to our older members. These members, most of whom were on Social Security income, gave lovingly (without ceasing) in their service and offerings. Our senior warden, Edward J. Wright, saw the need for a new church building and Sis. Florence Dorothy Brown encouraged the message to the people! Edward J. Wright’s leadership was a guiding light throughout the entire process. The vision, attitude and faith of these members greatly contributed to God’s blessing of a new building with no financial debt.
In celebration of our 111th Church Anniversary, we dedicated the Rev. John H. Jenkins Fellowship Hall, Bertha Graham Kitchen, and the Church Sign. In July 1991, the Elizabeth Ancrum Memorial Library was established; it is an in-house service as well as outreach ministry. In 1995, the Carla Yvette Dunmeyer Memorial Playground was established and dedicated. In November of 1983, we marched in the present sanctuary for worship. This building will seat approximately 250 people, and has an Educational Wing. In this facility, we have a Rector’s Study, Kitchen, library and Fellowship Hall. There are five classrooms upstairs. Mt. Olivet added stucco to its exterior in August of 1989. The stucco adds beauty and maintenance to the exterior. The Church lost its steeple due to Hurricane Hugo which hit Charleston at 12:01 a.m. Friday, September 22, 1989. The 135 mile per hour gales did major damage to the area, but our Lord held this building unharmed through that peril, and we will be forever grateful and give Him the glory. The steeple was replaced in early 1990. The Laying of the Corner-Stone for our present sanctuary (third building) was on Sunday, January 28, 1990 along with our 110th Church Anniversary celebration; Bishop Sanco King Rembert officiated.
In preparation for the retirement of Rev. Jenkins, Mt. Olivet called Rev. Namon Perkins, Jr. to this Church ministry. Rev. Jenkins graciously retired from this pastorate in September 1991; and continued to preach throughout the local R.E. churches. Rev. Perkins began his pastorate here in September 1991.
Rev. Perkins was the second minister installed at Mt. Olivet and in the CA&C Synod which is the second time Mt. Olivet made history in the CA&C Synod. Rev John H. Jenkins joined the Church Triumphant on December 15, 1995 and Mrs. Georgiana Jenkins departed this life on February 4, 2005. They, as well as so many others’ faith and life works still speak through Mt. Olivet. Twenty-four pastors have served at Mt. Olivet in a total of 25 pastorates over 137 years. In 2018, our longest serving senior warden to date, Edward J. Wright, was appointed Senior Warden Emeritus at Mt. Olivet as well as Board of Trustees and Standing Committee Emeritus for the Diocese of the Southeast Reformed Episcopal Church.
The Lord continues to bless the Mt. Olivet Family. We have greater expectations for God’s work through Mt. Olivet and we…PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!