The history of the First United Methodist Church of Mt. Olive is a rich
tradition stemming from two churches:  (1) The German Methodist Episcopal Church
and (2) The English Methodist Episcopal Church.

From 1863 to 1878, German Methodists in Mt. Olive traveled by wagon each Sunday
to attend services in Staunton.  In 1878, Rev. John Wanner came from Highland
every two weeks to hold services in a Mt. Olive school house.  In 1880, the
German Methodist Episcopal Church was built in Mt. Olive at the corner of Poplar
and Second North Streets.  A parsonage, across the from the church, was
purchased in 1882.  In 1924 the Sunday School building was added to the church.

Up until 1908, the English Methodist Church was associated with Staunton.  The
church, with the Parsonage next door, was located on Fourth North Street.  In
1925, the English Methodist Church and the German Methodist Episcopal Church
merged to form the Methodist Episcopal Church of Mt. Olive.  Families met at the English Church and marched the few blocks to the German church where uniting services were held and the new unified congregation was to continue to hold services.  The English Church building was subsequently demolished.  The former English Parsonage still stands.

    Following the merger, horse sheds were torn down with tennis courts being built in 1941.  The kitchen was enlarged by extending the north wall in 1947.  In the early 1950's the Sunday School Building was extended to the east, and the North and South sides were divided into classrooms.  In 1956, the sanctuary was redecorated with new floor and carpet, pews, painting and lights.  The "I Am"  series of stained glass windows were installed.

             On December 24, 1987, the original German Church building was destroyed by fire at the age of 107.  On Sunday, April 9, 1989 the Church gathered to dedicate a new building to the Glory of God.  A new Parsonage was built on the same sight of the 1891 Parsonage in 1990.

Our congregation always welcomes anyone seeking a Church home.