A landmark church in the historic Dutch Fork Area will celebrate its 150th anniversary this year.
Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, located in the Springhill Community near Chapin was dedicated in 1873 with 42 founding members and led by Reverend William Alexander Houck. The church was dedicated “to the service of God on the second Sabbath of May”. The original church building was a simple rectangular shape with simple white clapboard siding. In 1875, a tall soaring steeple and church bell was added. In 1973, construction began on the present-day church, with completion in 1975. Through the years, 45 pastors have served the Mt. Olivet congregation.
Mt. Olivet will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a Homecoming Worship Service on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 11:00 am. The worship service will incorporate liturgy and hymns from different worship hymnals used throughout the years, including the 1869 Book of Worship, the 1917 Common Service Book with Hymnal, the 1958 Service Book and Hymnal, the 1979 Lutheran Book of Worship and the 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Special guests include Bishop Virginia Aebischer and Reverend Jason Antley, pastor of Mt. Olivet from 2009-2015.
The anniversary celebration will continue after the worship service at 12:30 pm with an Old-Fashioned Covered Dish lunch in the Fellowship Hall with dishes provided by the members of Mt. Olivet.
