There are no records available explaining why a group from the communities of Bestgate and Camp Parole, Maryland, met at the residence of Rev. John H. Harris's father in 1870. It is assumed they felt the need to have a place to worship, and the group considered establishing a church that would include these two neighborhoods. It was the beginning of the "Mission Church," which later became "Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church."

According to the late Mr. Richard Emory, in his history of Mount Moriah African Methodist Episcopal Church, a frame structure was erected on land purchased on Doctor Street in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1874. The structure was called Macedonia.

When the meeting place in Bestgate became inadequate, land was obtained in Camp Parole to build a church. The old frame building (Macedonia) on Doctor Street in Annapolis was moved to the newly obtained site in Camp Parole, thus establishing a mission church. Mr. Daniel Brown and Mr. Charles Wooden helped move the Macedonia structure to the new site.

The first full-time Pastor was Reverend Hamilton. Under Rev. Hamilton's pastorate, the membership increased. The first trustees elected were: Henry Lane, Mack Diggs, Lashia Queen, Nelson Jones, Lewis Hoscluth, and Sam Spriggs. Succeeding Reverend Hamilton were the Reverends Saintfield, Shaw, Crawford, Schooner, J.D. Beckette, J.D. Banks, and E.N. Thomas.

Also, during this period, a Singing and Praying Band was established. The Band was a means for the Negro Slaves to worshipped God through prayer and praises Him by singing hymns, clapping their hands, and patting their feet.

In 1906, Reverend Powers was appointed Pastor of the Mission Church. During Rev. Powers' Pastorate, the church was condemned. In order to continue this ministry, land was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Louis Hoscluth and Mr. James Hicks on Hicks Street in Camp Parole.

In 1909, the church was completed. Mr. Charles Queen along with members of the Congregation changed the name from "Mission Church" to "Mount Olive." This new name referred to the Mount of Olives, where the disciples adjourned after the Last Supper. The cornerstone was laid on November 21, 1909. A church bell donated by Charles Carter, a Trustee, was installed in the belfry. There is no written record of when the church hall was built. The new church was also used as a school for Negro children. In later years, the building was used as the first Community Health Center.

In 1928, Rev. J.W. Armstrong built the parsonage adjacent to the church. Today, after several renovations, the parsonage is used as a multipurpose center.

In 1938, Rev. Claudius C. Brown was appointed Pastor. During Rev. Brown's Pastorate, a new and larger sanctuary was built. The mortgage on the parsonage was paid. Rev. Brown sponsored the first building fund rally. Rev. Robert C. Lane was ordained Itinerate Elder, becoming the first member of Mount Olive to enter the ministry. Rev. Lane served as assistant minister at Mt. Olive Church.

In 1949, Rev. A.E. Allen, succeeded Rev. Brown, who passed away on March 22, 1952. Rev. Brown was so interested in the building of a new church that on his deathbed he bequeaths his estate to the building fund. Also during this period, Rev. John T. Chambers, Sr., was ordained Itinerate Elder and served as assistant minister.

The membership of Mount Olive Church continued to grow. On March 24, 1952, Rev. Joseph S. Grant was appointed Pastor. Continuing the vision of the former Pastors to build a new church, Rev. Grant obtained a construction loan, and groundbreaking took place June 8, 1952. The President of the Senior Stewardess Board, Mrs. Emma Levy, donated the cornerstone for the new structure. Mrs. Grant, First Lady of Mount Olive, organized a group of young people to serve as ushers and named them "Usherettes." The former "Junior Choir" was renamed "The Vesper Choir."

In May 1959, Rev. John W. Duckette was appointed Pastor. Under Rev. Duckette's leadership, there were many accomplishments and improvements. Youth activities increased. Revs. Lucille Donnell, Sarah K. Smith, Blanche Price, and Ulysses S. Brooks II were ordained. The Trustee Boosters Club was formed to assist the Trustees of the church. The Annual Lenten White Service, was initiated by Mrs. Celeste Duckette, First Lady of Mount Olive A.M.E. Church.

Rev. Duckette's dream was to pay off the mortgage on the church. This came true on August 30, 1970, during the 100th Anniversary of Mount Olive African Episcopal Church.

After 36 six years of outstanding service as Superintendent of the church school, the late Mr. John A. Makell, Sr., retired. Mrs. Gwendolyn Q. Pindell was appointed superintendent in 1971.

In 1975, Rev. Edgar L. James, succeeded Rev. Duckette. Mrs. Florence James was First Lady of the church. Rev. James had a strong conviction for Christian involvement in the church and community and the giving of time and talents to God's work, assisting smaller churches and promoting community Outreach. Under Rev. James' pastorate Revs. Charles T. Sembly and Dana A. Swann were ordained Itinerate Elders. Additional land was purchased. The mortgage on the church bus paid off. The Men's Club's mission evolved to assist the youth of the church and community. The Club sponsors basketball and baseball teams, entering them in citywide and countywide competition. In 1994, three members of the Men's Club were honored-- Brothers France, Daniel, and the late Melvin Pindell, managers and coaches. Bestgate Park, the home of the Pindell Field, was the first county-maintained athletic facility named for (an) African American(s).

Sisters Georgianna Peters, Georgianna Boston, Marie Stepney, and Harriet Wilkins were made Deaconesses. Mrs. Mary C. Herndon, after 62-½ years as church organist, retired.

June 1983, Rev. James R. Gibson was appointed Pastor. Mrs. Zenobia Gibson was First Lady. The Mount Olive Male Chorus was organized under Rev. Gibson.

In 1987, Rev. Ricky Spain was appointed Pastor. Mrs. Annie Spain was First Lady. Under Rev. Spain's pastorate Mount Olive participated in many outreach programs. A new Parsonage was purchased. The old parsonage was completely renovated and renamed the "France and Gwendolyn Multi-Purpose Building," with each room being named for a former Pastor. Mrs. Gwendolyn Pindell retired as Superintendent of Sunday School. Mrs. Pearl Swann was named "Mother of Mount Olive A.M.E. Church." The Voices of Praise, the Youth choir, was organized.

In June 1993, Rev. Levi Brown, Jr., was appointed Pastor. Mrs. Marjorie Brown, was First Lady. Rev. Brown managed to weave an "old time ministry" that appealed to the masses. Under Rev. Brown's leadership four ministers assisted him, namely, Revs. Dana A. Swann, Rona Bowers, Betty Smith, and Patricia Long. A monthly Love Feast Service was established. A push for a full tithing church was initiated. The Class Leader System was re-energized. A weekly "Divine Worship in Black Experience Service, was instituted at the United States Naval Academy. Weekly Bible Classes were held. Two trips to the Holy Land in December 1993 and 1994. The mortgage on the church parsonage was paid in July 1996.

In June 1999, Rev. Johnny R. Calhoun was appointed Pastor. Rev. Patricia Riley Calhoun is First Lady of Mt. Olive.

Upon his leadership a new parsonage and van has been purchased. Also, a church renovation and expansion project has been initiated, that should break ground sometime in September 2001. Since coming to Mount Olive we have added an 8 o'clock service, a new dance ministry and young men's mentoring program called the Manhood Development Program. Our After-school program has grown, while establishing a computer facility with high speed internet access and expanded software availability. A memorial garden and a new handicapped ramp were erected.

The Mount Olive Community Development Corporation has been established with the hopes of generating additional resources to help us support and nurture our surroundings communities.

Standing on the shoulders of all of the pastors who preceded Rev. Calhoun, he continues to work to move Mount Olive onward into the new millennium.