Mount Olivet Baptist takes a leap of faith by constructing new building
Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Stand
Kimberly Burrell (right) embraces her aunt Georgia Holt as the two watch the recent demolition of the Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Uniontown. Both women have been lifelong members of the 133-year-old church, and, although they were saddened by its razing, they look forward to the new church that will be built on the same location at the corner of Stewart Avenue and Jefferson Street.
Amanda Steen | Herald-Standard
The interior of Mount Olivet Baptist Church on Stewart Avenue in Uniontown which was razed in September to pave the way for a brand new building that will be better suited to serve future congregations.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standa
The Rev. Vincent Winfrey (left) pastor of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church and Kim Harris sort through boxes of books and Bibles, deciding what to keep and what will to donated to other religious groups as the congregations empties the old church building to make room for construction of a new church building on the same site.
Rev. Vincent Winfrey is pictured inside the Mount Olivet Baptist Church on Stewart Avenue in Uniontown. “We have to look to the future,” Winfrey said.
Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Stand
In one day the 133-year-old Mt. Olivet Baptist Church of Uniontown was razed with the use of heavy equipment. A new church is planned to be built on the same grounds.
Amanda Steen | Herald-Standard
Deacon Nathaniel Hodge, one of the oldest members of Mount Olivet Baptist Church is pictured inside the 133-year-old church building that was torn down in September making way for a new, larger church.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Asa Walter III tosses trash into a trash collector at Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Uniontown. The congregation recently moved out of their 133-year-old church building so it can be razed and a new building constructed in its place.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Parishioners (from left) Beverly Henderson, Barbara Walters and Brishonna Winfrey sort through church records deciding what to keep and what can be discarded.
Amanda Steen | Herald-Standard
The Mount Olivet Baptist Church on Stewart Avenue in Uniontown was razed in September and will be rebuilt on the same location to better suit the needs of future generations.
With a congregation that’s growing and a building that no longer serves its needs, officials at Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Uniontown decided to take a leap of faith.
The congregation recently demolished its two-story, red-brick building that had stood at 57 Stewart Ave. since 1892 in order to construct a modern church on this same site.
“We thought it was more efficient to build a new church because of the next generation,” said the Rev. Vincent L. Winfrey Sr., pastor, noting, “We have to look to the future.”
The move reinforces Mount Olivet’s decision to continue serving its neighborhood in Uniontown’s East End. Officials note Mount Olivet is the city’s oldest black Baptist church, organizing 133 years ago on May 28, 1882.
At the proposed 83 by 68 feet, the new, two-story building will be double the size of the old structure and include a sanctuary that uses chairs instead of pews, bigger dining, kitchen and storage areas as well as offices, classrooms and air conditioning. Officials planned to save some items, including the keystone and bell from the previous church.
“We’ve been planning it for a long time,” said Winfrey of the new structure. “It’s finally coming to fruition.”
As the change takes place, Mount Olivet’s congregation is worshiping at the YWBA Christian Center at 624 Duck Hollow Road along Route 21 in Uniontown with services on Sundays at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Winfrey said the church has raised $400,000 toward the building project. He is not certain when the new building will be completed but said plans are to hold worship in the new dining area when that portion is ready.
“We’re going by faith,” said Vincent Winfrey. “We’re faith-based. We have the money to do the basement but we’ll need more money to finish it. We’re going by faith that God will provide. We have no deadline when we’ll be done. It’s up to God and the people.”
The decision to construct a new building came as Mount Olivet outgrew its facility. The church even attracts people who belong to other churches throughout the county to come to its 8 a.m. Sunday service. While Mount Olivet has a current membership of about 300, officials are hoping to add more with the new building.
“Church gets crowded. It used to be Christmas and Easter and Mother’s Day. Now we’re crowded all the time,” said Minister Natalie Winfrey, who is married to the pastor’s son. Both she and her husband hold several positions in the church, including heading the youth ministry.
Yet, some people are sad about losing the former structure, which has been there for most of the church’s time and replaced the original small frame church.
“They’re definitely going to cry because of so many memories,” Natalie Winfrey said.
“I have great memories in this church,” said Deacon Nathaniel Hodge, 82, one of the oldest members of Mount Olivet, who met and married his wife here. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren also belong to the church.
“A lot of people have ties. Their family started out here. When I look at myself, I should be the saddest because my great-grandmother was the last charter member who died,” said Vincent Winfrey, “but I have to look ahead.”
Reminiscing on the former structure, Vincent Winfrey shared his own memories of growing up in the church, including Sunday school, different pastors and his aunt and her daughter each playing the organ for over 50 years. He became a trustee and deacon but never thought he would become a pastor, especially of his own church.
“We have the best people. It’s always a challenge but I love pastoring,” he said.
“I love coming here. I love the atmosphere,” said Natalie Winfrey. “You need something to carry you through the week and when I come here, I know I’m going to get what I need.”
Vincent Winfrey talked about the importance of the church to the community, saying it is multicultural and offers several ministries, including a strong youth ministry.
“We’re a community church. We witness to everybody,” he said. “We’re willing to reach out to everybody and give everybody a fair chance that comes into our house. We love everybody.”
Hodge noted the positive aspects of the church, including ministries that help people spiritually and physically and lead them to become part of Mount Olivet.
“People come to this church,” Hodge said. “My pastor can preach and we have good choirs. There’s a good opportunity to grow here in Christ.’
Natalie Winfrey talked about the success of the youth ministry, saying a high percentage of those involved go on to college.
“We instill that knowledge to keep on the right path and you will succeed. You are beautiful,” she said, noting that youth are actively involved in the services. “They are not the church of tomorrow. They are the church of today.”
Hodge is excited about plans for the new building, calling them “beautiful.”
Natalie Winfrey said more space will help Mount Olivet schedule its many ministries, including several choirs, a praise team, mime ministry and a flag ministry, who now share time in the sanctuary as well as attendance at services.
She noted the new building will have an elevator to help the elderly who have not come to church because of having to tackle the stairs.
While looking to the future, Vincent Winfrey said the congregation will not forget its past.
“We’re still going to start from 1882,” he said, “because we know where we come from.”
Said Natalie Winfrey, “God is doing great and epic things for Mount Olivet.”
Groundbreaking for the new building is expected to start soon and officials are anticipating the opening of a time capsule that was found during the demolition.
Donations for the building project can be sent to: Mount Olivet Baptist Church, P.O. Box 793, Uniontown. More information is available by calling 724-438-7489 or sending an email to mt.uniontown@gmail.com. The church’s website is wwwmtolivetuniontown.org.