Olivet Reformed Church

1648 Centre Ave

History: In June, 1890, Rev. Henry Y. Stoner organized Olivet Reformed Church with 36 members. They laid the cornerstone to their building that same year. The congregation’s beginnings can be traced back to a Sunday School north of Charles Evans Cemetery. In early 1890, individuals from this location reached out to First Reformed Church, and they joined with St. Mark’s school to create Riverside Mission. Rev. Stoner served both churches into 1894 until the two churches were separated. Stoner stayed with St. Mark’s Church while Olivet installed Rev. Daniel W. Albright as their pastor. Faith UCC merged with Olivet in 1997.

Congregation/space: Olivet’s exterior is a lovely burnt orange-colored brick and brownstone. Within is a sanctuary space with several stained glass windows. Though their original stained glass and much of the interior of the sanctuary was damaged in a fire in 1974, there remains at least one window (featuring the Ten Commandments stone tablets) as well as a square piece with a crown on it, that is displayed on the window’s sill. In 1897, a memorial bell was hung in the church’s tower for their late pastor Rev. Albright who unfortunately died an untimely death in 1897 at the age of thirty-five, just two years after he began serving for Olivet. The building also includes a gathering space and kitchen, and in the narthex there is a display of a tree with leaves on it, containing the names of all who have been members throughout Olivet's history.