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Olivet Christian Church
History of the Olivet Christian Church
Olivet Christian Church, of Center, dates back to 1830. A few faithful men and women had a desire in their hearts to show in a material way their love and devotion for God and their Savior, and to kindle in the hearts of coming generations a desire for spiritual things. Therefore in 1830 there was organized a Christian Church.Olivet Christian Church Stained glass at the Olivet Christian Church.
Sandy Jones was the first minister and George Waters, Sr., James Alexander and John Coons, Sr.composed the official board.Services were held in member homes until 1840 when, what was referred to as the "Big House" was erected five miles north of Center near the Old Bond Place, now known as the Delbert Bird farm.The building was a large log structure and was named Sugar Creek, due to its proximity to the creek.The floor of this pioneer church was made of split logs instead of the common practice of a packed dirt floor, and the benches were fashioned of split logs, with four sticks driven into the bottom side for legs. (It has been told that some of the women of the church smoothed the top of the benches on their side of the church shortly after the first meeting.) The original deed for the land calls for it to be "used for a school and a couple Saturdays and Sundays each month for use by the Christian Church but when not occupied by the school or named church, it shall be free for any other denomination who may wish to preach or hold meetings in lawful assemblage." This building would be the first of five churches built on four locations.This building was destroyed by fire in 1848.
In 1849 a brick building was erected 1½ miles north of Center.During the week it too was used as a school as well as a church on Sunday and maintained the same name.In 1871 this building was sold to Walter Ellis.
In 1872 one acre of land was given by Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Splawn for a churchyard and cemetery one mile north of Center, now known as Olivet Cemetery or Center Cemetery.This same year a frame building, 40x60 feet, was built.The building committee members were Nimrod Waters and James Mason.
Olivet Christian Church, Center, MO
The official board was composed of George Waters, John Coons, A.M. Sears and Edwin Millon as elders; Edwin C. Keithly, David C. Hulse, J.B.Brashears, T.L. Hart, R.L. Keithly and M.L. Hulse as deacons. In 1877 Wm. Utterback was added to the board of deacons. Rev. J.R. Davis of St. Louis dedicated the church in December, 1873, preached one year, and held a revival meeting in which there were 40 converts.The name Olivet Christian Church was established at this same service.It was given by Mrs. Livina (Alfred) Smith, who was said to be a charter member of the congregation.
Nimrod Waters was selected as church clerk in 1860 and served until 1897, when he moved to New London, and E.W. Keithly was elected to fill the vacancy.In September and October, 1889, Rev. Corwine and Rev. Abbott held a meeting which added 102 members.
In 1890 with Brother J.B. Corwine as preacher they decided to move the church building from Olivet Cemetery to Center. However, before the move could be made, the church had to pay W.C. Splawn and his wife $100.00 for the cemetery site.It was then moved to the site where the church now stands. A.M. Leatherman was given a contract to move it for $400.00. Another $1,200.00 was spent on remodeling and the building was dedicated in September of 1892.
On August 13, 1912, the church was struck by lightning, resulting in a fire which completely destroyed it. For the succeeding eighteen months, services were held in the Methodist and Baptist churches, as well as in the City Hall and Odd Fellows Hall, until the basement of the new church was ready for occupancy.The new building was started on August 18, 1913 and was dedicated on June 14, 1914.H. Clay Roland of Center was the contractor, with his brother Mark as foreman. The Roland brothers, both of whom had studied architecture, went to Elsberry, where the official board had found a church the admired, and copied the plan of the Elsberry Christian Church, reversing the floor plan to fit the lot in Center.The total cost of the church was $12,670.22. On Sunday, June 13, 1915, almost one year to the day from the dedication date, a final note burning was held.A full-page ad invited the entire community to the event.
Olivet Christian Church, of Center, dates back to 1830. A few faithful men and women had a desire in their hearts to show in a material way their love and devotion for God and their Savior, and to kindle in the hearts of coming generations a desire for spiritual things. Therefore in 1830 there was organized a Christian Church.Olivet Christian Church Stained glass at the Olivet Christian Church.
Sandy Jones was the first minister and George Waters, Sr., James Alexander and John Coons, Sr.composed the official board.Services were held in member homes until 1840 when, what was referred to as the "Big House" was erected five miles north of Center near the Old Bond Place, now known as the Delbert Bird farm.The building was a large log structure and was named Sugar Creek, due to its proximity to the creek.The floor of this pioneer church was made of split logs instead of the common practice of a packed dirt floor, and the benches were fashioned of split logs, with four sticks driven into the bottom side for legs. (It has been told that some of the women of the church smoothed the top of the benches on their side of the church shortly after the first meeting.) The original deed for the land calls for it to be "used for a school and a couple Saturdays and Sundays each month for use by the Christian Church but when not occupied by the school or named church, it shall be free for any other denomination who may wish to preach or hold meetings in lawful assemblage." This building would be the first of five churches built on four locations.This building was destroyed by fire in 1848.
In 1849 a brick building was erected 1½ miles north of Center.During the week it too was used as a school as well as a church on Sunday and maintained the same name.In 1871 this building was sold to Walter Ellis.
In 1872 one acre of land was given by Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Splawn for a churchyard and cemetery one mile north of Center, now known as Olivet Cemetery or Center Cemetery.This same year a frame building, 40x60 feet, was built.The building committee members were Nimrod Waters and James Mason.
Olivet Christian Church, Center, MO
The official board was composed of George Waters, John Coons, A.M. Sears and Edwin Millon as elders; Edwin C. Keithly, David C. Hulse, J.B.Brashears, T.L. Hart, R.L. Keithly and M.L. Hulse as deacons. In 1877 Wm. Utterback was added to the board of deacons. Rev. J.R. Davis of St. Louis dedicated the church in December, 1873, preached one year, and held a revival meeting in which there were 40 converts.The name Olivet Christian Church was established at this same service.It was given by Mrs. Livina (Alfred) Smith, who was said to be a charter member of the congregation.
Nimrod Waters was selected as church clerk in 1860 and served until 1897, when he moved to New London, and E.W. Keithly was elected to fill the vacancy.In September and October, 1889, Rev. Corwine and Rev. Abbott held a meeting which added 102 members.
In 1890 with Brother J.B. Corwine as preacher they decided to move the church building from Olivet Cemetery to Center. However, before the move could be made, the church had to pay W.C. Splawn and his wife $100.00 for the cemetery site.It was then moved to the site where the church now stands. A.M. Leatherman was given a contract to move it for $400.00. Another $1,200.00 was spent on remodeling and the building was dedicated in September of 1892.
On August 13, 1912, the church was struck by lightning, resulting in a fire which completely destroyed it. For the succeeding eighteen months, services were held in the Methodist and Baptist churches, as well as in the City Hall and Odd Fellows Hall, until the basement of the new church was ready for occupancy.The new building was started on August 18, 1913 and was dedicated on June 14, 1914.H. Clay Roland of Center was the contractor, with his brother Mark as foreman. The Roland brothers, both of whom had studied architecture, went to Elsberry, where the official board had found a church the admired, and copied the plan of the Elsberry Christian Church, reversing the floor plan to fit the lot in Center.The total cost of the church was $12,670.22. On Sunday, June 13, 1915, almost one year to the day from the dedication date, a final note burning was held.A full-page ad invited the entire community to the event.