GOD and OLIVET CHURCH is a reproduction of a 1958 document used at the consecration service of the Sunday School building for Olivet Methodist Church in Galena, Maryland. This particular keepsake was borrowed from Mrs. Margaret Mulford, a faithful member of the congregation. Pastor Larry Jameson scanned, and reproduced the document here for the edification of the church.
GOD and OLIVET CHURCH
(handwritten note)
Margaret Mulford Sept. 7, 1958 Consecration Sunday
(page 2, inside cover)
(handwritten note)
Margaret Mulford Sunday, Sept. 7, 1958
(page 3)
FROM THE PASTOR'S STUDY
This is a short, pictorial, account of the building of the Olivet Methodist Church School Addition. The title of this booklet, "God and Olivet Church," rightly describes the entire building campaign. From its beginning, this venture has been one of absolute faith --- God leading, Olivet Church following...
Your Pastor,
Charles E. Strickler
(page 4)
SPECIAL APPRECIATION
Each member of Olivet Church extends special appreciation to our District Superintendent, Dr. John N. Link. Amid his many pressing duties and engagements, Dr. Link has given freely of his time and influence to make our building possible. Financially, Dr. Link has given special assistance to Olivet Church in three ways: (1) by fulfilling a verbal commitment made by one of our past superintendents (2) by securing aid from the Wilmington District Church Extension Society (3) by presenting the missionary potential of Olivet Church before the Peninsula Conference Board of Missions. However, Dr. Link's consideration went much deeper than financial guidance. His greatest contribution to Olivet Church has been his quiet persuasion that with God all things are possible. This quiet faith best describes our superintendent. In deep appreciation, The Board of Trustees Olivet Methodist Church
(page 5)
(photo caption) OLIVET M. E. CHAPEL 1888
Our previous Church School building, known as the Chapel, had long since been over-loaded... The seventy year old, one room structure, could no longer serve a growing educational program..
(photo caption) CONSTRUCTION BEGINS APRIL 4, 1958
(page 6)
The Building Committee set one goal firmly in mind .... to build a building that would give Olivet Church School members every advantage as they are taught about Jesus Christ ......
(page 7)
As the building began to climb higher, the interest likewise mounted. Sacrificial giving, alone, has made this project possible. Each contributor has become an intricate part of a program of stewardship with Christ...
(page 8)
A building is far more than outward appearance. Many hours of planning, and careful consideration, were spent in order to insure an interior design which would meet the needs of today and tomorrow.
(page 9)
Step by step the exterior was erected and put under roof. Dodging the many rains of the spring and summer, the contractor worked earnestly in consideration of our desire to occupy the building at the earliest date possible.
(page 10)
The wisdom of using shadow block construction was not fully seen until the painters performed their miracle of transforming bareness into beauty...
(page 11)
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF OLIVET METHODIST CHURCH
The history of Olivet Methodist Church is a very long and colorful record. The present Sanctuary dates back to 1842. However, the first building to be used entirely for church purposes was a frame structure which was erected and dedicated on the present site. The original building was moved to one side of the lot, when a new church was erected, and was used as a place of worship by slaves of farm owners in the neighborhood. The original Sanctuary, in later years, was moved to Olivet Hill, a Negro settlement near Galena. It became a place of worship for the Negroes in that settlement, and it continues to stand in that location, although it is no longer used as a Sanctuary. In 1842 the present brick structure was erected on the site of the old frame church. Among the leading members and largest contributors at that time were; James Hurtt, Henry Hurtt, William Miller, and Eben Massey. Mr. Massey was an Episcopalian and lived in Massey, Maryland. It was he who gave the officials the privilege of going into his woods and cutting the timber used for the sills. Like wise, he permitted them to erect a kiln and make the bricks for the building on his farm, furnishing the necessary wood and clay. We can be quite definite concerning the date of the present building, however, there seems to be some confusion concerning the exact dating of the original building. The Reverend E. C. Hallman, in his book entitled "The Garden of
(page 12)
Methodism," writes as follows: "Preaching was established by Bishop Asbury, March 13,1773 at Mr. Dixon's home. At that time Galena was known as Georgetown Cross Roads. The first church was erected in 1808 and improved in 1816." The local history also claims the first church was built in 1808. However, in Bishop Asbury's journal we find a different dating. Under the listings for April 1803 the Bishop states the following; "My subject at the new chapel, Georgetown Cross Roads, First Timothy, fourth chapter, 2nd. verse." Assuming the accuracy of Bishop Asbury's journal, the first of Olivet's Sanctuarys would have been built and dedicated in 1803 instead of 1808. Georgetown Cross Roads was part of what was then the Kent Circuit. It was supposed, for a number of years, that the deed for the original property had been lost in record shifting. However, in 1957, Philip J. Skipp, prominent attorney in Kent County, located the deed. The date of the first property exchange was January 2,1802. The property transfer was enacted between CORNELIUS COMEGYS and the trustees of the newly formed spiritual community, who were: ROBERT MOODY, THOMAS SEWELL, JAMES WILSON, JAMES HURTT, JOSEPH RASIN, and EDWARD HURTT. The original plot of ground was purchased from Cornelius Comegys, by the trustees, for the amount of twelve pounds. A second deed was recorded April 14, 1808, for a lot of ground on the South side of the Sanctuary. This portion of ground was donated by Cornelius SCOTT and was intended
(page 13)
for burial purposes. This second lot now divides the Sanctuary and the educational building. The present Sanctuary was repaired and improved. in 1879, and again in 1888. The later repairs amounted to $ 4,200.00. In the fall of 1888 a Chapel was built on the parsonage lot for the sum of $ 673.00. The purpose of this building seems to have been two-fold; to facilitate the Church School, and to provide a more accessible place for worship and mid-week services during inclement weather. Since the year 1888, the Chapel has been the chief facility for the Church School. In later years the Chapel was occupied by the primary classes of the Church School and the Sanctuary housed the secondary classes. The Chapel was also used for the Epworth league, the M.Y.F., and most of the W.S.C.S social functions. Within the last ten years the Church has been constantly reminded that the Chapel was both outmoded in facilities, and too small to care for the growing church. Many ideas were entertained with respect to improvements. One of the early ideas was to improve the Chapel at its present location. However, it soon became desirable to locate the Sanctuary and educational building closer to each other. The next stage in planning encountered the idea of moving the Chapel nearer the Sanctuary and extending its facilities. This idea soon gave way in view of the excess expense involved. During the summer of 1956 the need for a new educational building became more and more imperative. Preliminary plans
(page 14)
had been drawn during the ministry of the Reverend William H. Owens, 1954-56, and from these drawings ideas began to materialize. In September of 1956, the building fund of Olivet Methodist Church had a total of $173.00 at its disposal. As an introduction to the building program, the Official Board authorized one extra collection, to be received monthly, solely for the building fund. This monthly challenge to stewardship became the gauge which accurately recorded the desire of each contributor --- a new educational unit. However, each member of Olivet Church realized the great contrast which existed between the amount needed for a new unit and the amount being raised monthly. During the session of our fourth quarterly conference, March 5, 1957, a spokesman for Kent Lodge # 74, I.O.O.F., rose to his feet and offered $ 12,000.00 towards our proposed unit. In offering this contribution, the Lodge asked Olivet Church to allow them the privilege of meeting in the new building for their functions. After much consideration, and proper evaluation, a congregational vote was taken in April of 1957. The purpose of the vote was to ascertain the disposition of the congregation with respect to the offer of the Lodge. Not one ballot was cast in opposition to the offer. On Sunday, April 14, 1957, Dr. John N. Link, Superintendent of the Wilmington District, authorized and officially set into operation the building committee of Olivet Church. The group was commissioned to proceed with prayer, and careful speed.
(page 15)
The larger parts of 1957 and early 1958 were spent in various committee meeting and financial programs. The .ground breaking ceremony was officiated, November 10, 1957, by Dr. John N. Link. The weather, that afternoon, was extremely bleak, but few noticed. Each member and friend of Olivet Church was filled with joy in seeing the dreams of many years beginning to become reality. The first shovel, filled with dirt, was remove. from the earth by Dr. John N. Link. The second shovel, filled with dirt, was removed. by David Hendrickson Walters, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Walters. David H. Walters was active in the ceremony, representing his granfather, James D. Davis, Jr., and his aunt, Mary Scott Davis, who were donors of the ground. The deeding of the property was legally transacted. Sealed bids for the construction of the unit were received from four contractors, and opened November 12,1957. The Church Hill Lumber Company emerged the low bidder and the contract was let February 25, 1958. Actual construction began on Good Friday, April 4, 1958. It seemed so perfectly fitting that this building dedicated to teaching all about Christ should. be started on the day which marks the Crucifixion of that same Jesus Christ. Today, September 7,1958, we consecrate the educational unit for the service of Christ and His Church. When the debt is fully liquidated, the building will be dedicated. The following blank is provided so that you may insert that date, when the dedication is performed, ___________________.
(page 16)
TOGETHER WE BUILD!
"For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?"..... St. Luke 14:28
The Building Committee of Olivet Church deserves special commendation. From the very first meeting, the committee has been a smoothly operating organism with one purpose in mind --- to do a lasting work for Christ and His Church. Each member who has participated in planning our building has felt a lasting experience of God's presence ana everlasting help. Our committee has always displayed one of'the unique characteristics of Christianity. Whenever differences of opinion have arisen, they have been quickly resolved by asking the simple question --- what is best for all? Each of our committee meetings have begun with a sincere prayer that God, through His Holy Spirit, would provide the insights necessary. Few important decisions were made 'on the spot', but instead were the products of meditation, prayer, and thoughtfulness. Special appreciation should, however, be extended to two members who have given of their time most generously. By singling out only two, we do not mean to infer that each member of the committee did not rightly assume his responsibility. To the contrary, the building committee of Olivet Church has been one with which any minister could happily associate and
(page 17)
achieve lasting goals. The Christian attitude which each of the committee members assumed must always produce success. The pastor extends special, and sincere, appreciation to each member of this committee for their far reaching Christian outlook. Likewise, the pastor joins with each member of the committee in extending congratulations and thanks for the wonderful job done, and still being carried on, by the committee chairman, Mr. A. Clarke George, and the committee treasurer, Mr. Addie H. Walters.
ADDIE H. WALTERS - - BUILDING COMMITTEE TREASURER
The hours spent by Mr. Walters, attending to the financial affairs of this campaign, have been many. The accuracy and pride exhibited by Mr. Walters in this capacity soon marked him as an indispensable member of the committee.
(page 18)
A. CLARKE GEORGE - - BUILDING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
It is an easy matter for a building project to become so overwhelming that a pastor has time for little else. The chairmanship of Mr. George has been of such a genuine nature that it relieved the pastor of all building details. Mr. George's years of business experience rightly fitted him for this exacting responsibility, and made his insights those that would have been extremely difficult to replace. During the days of construction, the watchful eyes of our chairman have assured Olivet Church of the very finest building in terms of workmanship and material.
(page 19)
CONCLUDING MESSAGE
September 7,1958
Dear Friends and Members of Olivet Church:
Today, September 7,1958, we are beholding the answer to many years of prayer. I believe we have learned a great lesson here in Olivet Church, and that lesson is simply that prayer alone is not enough, but we must put our prayers to work by actually demonstrating our faith. The reason we are consecrating our building today can be summed up in this lesson we have learned. What a wonderful privilege it has been, as your pastor, to walk with you through this campaign; to pray with you, to trust with you, and to work with you. As we look back on the beginning of this campaign and follow it through until today, we can have no regrets or grievances. The hand of God has been so indelibly clear in leading us that we can never doubt any part of this campaign. Instead, we find that we can only bow our hearts and offer thanksgiving unto God. The building will be occupied next Sunday by your young people. How wonderful it will be to see them enter to learn and go forth to serve, to and from a building that adequately meets their needs. The reins of this campaign have been entirely in your hands. We have been able to move forward so swiftly only because you too have felt a vital need and have been stewards enough to meet it. You may well ask, what about the future?
(page 19)
In fact, as your pastor, I trust you will ask that question. The future, like the past and present, depends totally on you. It has been necessary to mortgage our building for $ 7,000.00. It is the intention of the building committee to repay this mortgage in a maximum of seven years, thus repaying yearly $ 1,000.00 plus the interest. Therefore, your continued stewardship is needed. It is entirely possible -- if we band closely together -- to dissolve this mortgage in a much shorter limit of time. Only your faith, and your giving will make this become a reality. May God continue to bless you and keep you, as you remain loyal to His cause.
Charles E. Strickler, Pastor