A house RESOLUTION

to recognize and honor the congregation and pastor of New Mt. Olivet African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, for one hundred fifty years of worshiping their God and serving their community, and to congratulate them upon the occasion of their sesquicentennial anniversary.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that New Mt. Olivet African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church will celebrate its one hundred fiftieth anniversary on September 24, 2023; and

Whereas, New Mt. Olivet A.M.E. Zion Church was first called Mt. Olivet Methodist Zion Church and began soon after the close of the War Between the States prior to 1873 when a small group of Negro families began to gather in homes.  When the homes became too small to accommodate the crowd, a "brush arbor" was built on the west side of Pond Street; and

Whereas, a larger arbor was built later on the east side of the railroad, and founding fathers Horace Young, Issaac Love, Minor Dodds, Elias Gist, and Wylie Davis, along with several others, formed themselves into a band of Methodists.  Gathering only for prayer meetings at first, they set aside certain worship periods on Saturdays and Sundays as time passed; and

Whereas, Presiding Elder J. D. Walker visited with the small congregation and recommended that it be placed on the circuit with China Grove, a flourishing congregation. Bishop Moore appointed Reverend Joe Price to pastor the circuit, and the new church was called Mt. Olivet Methodist Zion Church; and

Whereas, a parsonage property was purchased for twenty-five dollars, and on the property, the members erected a church built of logs and daubed with mud.  A larger church was built beside that one and was placed on the circuit with Mt. Calvary of the Santuck Community.  During the pastorate of Reverend P. R. Nichols, Mt. Olivet became a station church with permission to hold services each Sunday; and

Whereas, around 1896, the congregation found and purchased the property for the present sight on the corner of Trade Street, now Dave Lyle Boulevard, and Hampton Street.  This Mt. Olivet was built in 1898 under the leadership of the Reverend Nero A. Crockett; and

Whereas, the congregation began building a new church in 1923 under the leadership of Reverend J.D. Virgil and held services in the completed basement as work continued on the main building.  In 1927, under the leadership of Reverend C. L. Flowers, the main sanctuary was completed; and

Whereas, Mt. Olivet A.M.E. Zion Church became New Mt. Olivet A.M.E. Zion Church in 1937 when the church became incorporated as a religious and charitable institution; and

Whereas, in May 1961, New Mt. Olivet hosted a meeting to support the Freedom Riders when an interracial group sponsored by the Congress of Racial Equality launched the first Freedom Rides from Washington to New Orleans; and

Whereas, in 2012, under the leadership of Reverend Alvin McLamb, now presiding elder of the Columbia Camden District, the church renovated a previously purchased laundromat and named this new building The Olive Branch.  The Olive Branch houses additional classrooms and serves as a base for the outreach ministry; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the historical New Mt. Olivet

A.M.E. Zion Church with its rich history of advocating for justice and equality and looks forward to following this beacon of faith, as the congregation loves and serves God and humanity.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the congregation and pastor of New Mt. Olivet African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, for one hundred fifty years of worshiping their God and serving their community, and congratulate them upon the occasion of their sesquicentennial anniversary.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Angela W. Boyd.

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