Olivet’s history began in Coatesville in 1817. The first congregation met in a school house, at the corner of 3rd Ave. and Harmony Street. In 1824, another Methodist Society was meeting in Rock Run and eventually outgrew the building. In 1839, they moved into a house of worship (a converted blacksmith shop) called “The Turtle Shell.” The congregation outgrew that building and moved to the West End of Coatesville in 1845. When the floor gave way because of the size of the congregation, they built a bigger church at the same site, in 1856, for the cost of $4500. It was named the Olivet Methodist Episcopal Church. The pastor was paid $500 a year.
In 1879, our present site was secured. Two men of the congregation bought it for $1,000, and sold it to the church for $800 with the stipulation that it could only be used for the Olivet Church and parsonage. The church was completed in 1885. The cost was $15,500, but because of labor donated and gifts and the value of the old building, the debt was $5,000. At the close of one Sunday morning and evening service, all $5,000 was raised! As the congregation continued to grow, additions were made in 1906 and 1915. In fact, a revival in Coatesville led to 750 people joining our church in 1914. Our name officially became Olivet United Methodist Church in 1968.
Olivet has a rich history of being the cornerstone of faith in Coatesville for 209 years. Our mission has been and always will be to become the heart, mind, hands and voice of Jesus. We provided radio and cable broadcasts back in the 60’s and 70’s and currently air our Sunday Services on Youtube. Olivet led the city in Operation Thanksgiving and Christmas meal service projects for many years and still feed the hungry every Wednesday, which began in 1999. We provided a preschool for years and will open a preschool in September. Assisting families in times of fires, floods or other crucial needs, or joining with other churches in celebrations and supporting them, we continue to serve the Lord in our city and surrounding areas. Olivet’s witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ and the influence of her ministry go far beyond the vicinity of Coatesville and Chester County.