A few years after the freeing of the slaves, a group of poorly paid farm workers began meeting for worship service under what was called the “the bush harbor”. What the group lacked in resources, they made up for in determination and endeavored to go forward with what little they had. The devout group united themselves, and with faith in God and each other, began to make plans to erect a place of worship.
In September 1870, Mr. R. L. Heriot deeded one acre of land to Mr. Williams Bradford, Mr. William Cabbagstalk, and Mr. Richard Cabbagestalk for the sum of $5.00. The land was located at Heriot’s Crossroads, which is the present day village of Woodrow. The three men immediately met with others under the bush harbor and on September 9, 1870, organized a church to be known as “Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church”.
In 1915, under the pastorate of Rev. T. C. McCray, the church was remodeled. During the pastorate of Rev. L. B. Burgess (1944-1951), the church was again remodeled and a parsonage was added to the property. Rev. T. J. Slater, Sr. guided the rebuilding of the church in 1961. God blessed the Mt. Olive family with a rapidly growing congregation and in 1980 the pastor and members saw the need for an expansion. The addition of a new wing followed in 1981.
On the eve of his retirement, Rev. T. J. Slater, Sr. and members recognized that with the ever-growing membership and changing needs of the congregation, a new edifice was in order and subsequent planning was underway.
Following Rev. Slater’s retirement after thirty-eight wonderful years, Rev. T. A. Johnson, Sr. was sent to begin his pastorate of this great church. It did not take long for Rev. Johnson to recognize the congregation’s commitment to build and to acknowledge the work and planning that had already been done. He quickly took his position at the helm and the work continued. Soon, ground was broken for the “The New Mt. Olive”.
The Presiding Prelate for the Seventh Episcopal District at that time, The Right Reverend John Hurst Adams, challenged the congregation at the ground breaking service to “Keep Their Eyes on The Prize” until they claimed it! On Sunday, March 12, 2000, during the dedication service, The Mt. Olive Church Family was happy to report that to him that they had in fact “Claimed the Prize”. To God be the glory!
Claiming the prize meant the seating capacities of the sanctuary and choir loft were doubled, the campus encompassed six classrooms, a conference room, administrative office, and a pastor’s study with en suite facilities. The new edifice also included a commercial grade kitchen and spacious fellowship hall, paved parking, and a towering steeple. So yes, the prize had indeed been claimed.
These grateful, faithful people had a mind to work and so the story did not end there. Through the blessings and faithfulness of God and their hard work, nine years ahead of schedule, the 20-year mortgage was paid in full! God is faithful!
In November of 2011, Mt. Olive welcomed Rev. Dr. F. J. Gadson. Under his leadership, Mt. Olive continued to flourish. First Lady Flora Gadson began the first installation of the Acolyte Ministry. Pastor Gadson began his quarterly Youth RAP Sessions, and membership increased with the traveling ministry via social media. In June of 2014, Mt. Olive completed the extension of the front lobby entrance to include a ladies lounge, male and female restroom facilities, a new audio visual room, and a lobby area that quadrupled the size of the previous structure. In 2017, a covered drive-thru area and lobby was constructed on the side of the church to keep our members from being exposed to the elements as they were being dropped off by loved ones and a new digital sign was placed out at the front of the campus.
November 2019 brought our current leadership in Rev. Dr. R. L. Brown and First Lady Amy J. Tucker Brown. The two have already dug in deep to daily workings of Mt. Olive and are excited about their appointment here. Rev. Brown is adamant about making “The Big O”, as he calls it, a better, stronger, and faith-sustaining church in the metropolis of Woodrow.
Therefore, this is a living history and the story will continue. As we with grateful hearts celebrate our rich heritage, we are encouraged to stay the course so that they Mt. Olive Legacy lives on!