Church History - Mt. Olive AME Church

According to the oral history which is provided by Dr. Ann (Dean) Clerk, great-granddaughter of the founders, Brother Vandy and Sister Hannah Hildebrand, a committee of faithful and dedicated Christians were organized by Brother Vandy and Sister Hannah Hildebrand in 1862 to establish Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first African American church in the town of Swansea. The members of this committee of “founders” included Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lykes, Mr. and Mrs. Starling Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. George Williams. This group of faithful “church planters” held services each Sunday in a shelter commonly referred to as a “Bush Harbor.” Service was held in the “Bush Harbor” until the year 1895. Dr. Clerk’s account of the history indicates that Brother Vandy Hildebrand and his wife Sister Hannah Hildebrand faithfully served while they organized and hosted numerous fund raisers to finance the $25.00 purchasing price for the property. Dr. Clerk currently resides in Acworth, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. She is 87 years old. Also according to the oral history provided by Dr. Clerk, the former slave master of Sister Hannah Hildebrand, who also was her biololgical father, donated all of the lumber and other building materials to erect the building.

The Deed to the property is dated July 3, 1899. According to the Deed, the property was purchased from H. R. and Joanna E. Goodwin. The Deed was signed over to Brother Vandy Hildebrand and others (directly recorded on the Deed). The Deed specifies that the property was “deeded” to the Trustees of the Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church and recorded as such on July 3, 1899 (BK S5 p. 49/last sentence – top of page 50). The current Trustees of Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church are: Sister Trudy (Taylor) Salley, Trustee Pro-Tem, Brother Herbert Lewis, Brother Terrance Sally, and Brother Tracy Taylor (T.J.) Nelson. The current pastor is Reverend Grenlen D. Martain and the current presiding elder is Reverend Dr. Herbert L. Temoney.

The Corner Stone displays the dates 1895-1909. The pastor’s name that appears on the Corner Stone is Reverend I. H. Alston, B. S. and the presiding elder’s name that appears is Presiding Elder J. W. Lykes. The original building structure was board. The white board structure was a center of worship and the site of many community social events that enhanced the spiritual and social development of African American families who resided in the local community. In 1895 – 1909, under the leadership of Reverend I. H. Alston, Pastor and Reverend J. W. Lykes, Presiding Elder, the church membership began to increase rapidly.

Families who joined the church during those progressive years include the Amakers, Fields, Mims, Davis’, Mullers, Martins, Roaches, Phillips, Robinsons, and McDaniels. During the decade of the 1960’s other families joined Mount Olive which strengthened the ability for the church to move to a new level of bringing unity to the oppressed during a period in history when so many families experienced the devastating effects of social injustice. These families were the Brannons, Hamptons, Rileys, Thompsons, Fridays, Hunts, and Taylors.

Mount Olive’s longevity of rendering spiritual, social, and economic support to the Swansea community is directly related to the contributions of numerous anointed pastors that span a period of one hundred plus years. Included in this group of dedicated servant leaders are: The Reverends Robinson, Jr., Henry Bowman, B. P. Boston, C.C. Dixon, Daniel Charles, Jessie Thompson, Robert Cooper, Neolis Johnson, Reverend Norward, Reverend George Shaw, Reverend John G. Davis, Reverend Rhudene R. Toomer, Reverend J.D. Seawright, Reverend J. Arthur McDonald, Reverend Paul Huggins, Reverend Queen Esther Hamilton, Reverend Lee Vinnie Smalls, Reverend Ethel Boozer, and our current pastor, Reverend Grenlen D. Martain.

In 1989 under the leadership of Reverend John G. Davis, the building was brick veneered. Additional renovations included restrooms office space, air conditioning, furnishings, and carpet. Finally, in 2018, the Fellowship Hall and kitchen were added to complete the current building which stands prominently located on the corner of a street facing a major highway that is a route for many travelers who choose to take the “scenic” view as their travel to Georgia and Florida.

Over the years, Mount Olive has been a church where a number of clergy men and women received their “call” to preach. These “preachers” who began their journey as ambassadors of the Gospel of Jesus, the Christ at Mt. Olive include, Reverend William Mims, Reverend Effie Davis, Reverend Viola Roach, Reverend Emma Dell McDaniel, Reverend John Lee Davis, Reverend Dorothy Ellen (Davis) Brannum, Reverend Miriam (Davis) Dunston, Reverend Edward Henry Davis, Reverend John G. Davis, Reverend Norvest (Davis) Ancrum, and the current pastor, Reverend Grenlen (Davis) Martain.

Mount Olive has seen the members of the community through the depression of the 1930’s the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s and the racial unrest in the town when integration of schools occurred during the late 1970’s. In the midst of all these challenging years, Mount Olive has continued to thrive as a center of spiritual strength for the community.

The legacy that has sustained Mount Olive’s ability to remain a vital presence in the Swansea community has been recognized by the state of South Carolina. The Mount Olive Church family proudly acknowledge the honor of being recognized as a S.C. Historical Site. The unveiling of the Historical Monument that will be placed in front of the church is scheduled to occur during the fall of 2021.

While other African American churches have emerged since  Mount Olive was established, Mount Olive continues to maintain a position of spiritual empowerment within the community. The members have remained connected and actively worshipping throughout the pandemic and with the help of God through Christ Jesus will continue to seek opportunities to provide spiritual guidance and stability during these perilous times.