Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church, is located in the Providence Community, near the

town of Holly Hill, SC. Although written records couldn’t be recorded, our ancestors held closely the

rich history of our church dating back to its inception in 1872; most notably, Mother Cora Fogle who

was reared in Mt. Olive and was blessed to see the second construction of our church. In addition, Mr.

Thomas “Bubba” Hampton could vividly recall the separation of Mt. Olive AME from Felderville and

Friendship AME Churches to establish its presence as a place of worship and school.

​

In 1918, the church was rebuilt under the leadership of Rev. J.L. Player and 50 years later, Mt. Olive

AME Church, originally a circuit church, became a station church at the Annual Conference. In 1977,

under the leadership of Rev. J. Bookard, the third and current building was constructed. With this

construction and progressive leadership for years to come, Mt. Olive AME Church flourished with the

purchase of land for future additions. In 1985, these additions would manifest under the leadership of

the Rev. William Hammond, with the addition of the choir loft and educational building. Also, during

this time, Mother Flossie Gilmore was ordained as the church’s first Deaconess and Rev. Elizabeth

DuPree became the church’s first Ordained Itinerant Elder.

​

Continuing the work of kingdom building, under the leadership of Rev. Moses Wilson, we paid off

previous debt and completed additional renovations, including purchasing additional land, all while

remaining debt free! In 2000, Rev. Dr. Albert Jones, expanded the church’s vision with additional

church renovations, the purchase of additional land and the rebirth of Bible Study. In 2010, with a

growth in tithing and membership, Rev. Dr. Frank Maddox took the helm and re-established the

Deaconess Board and championed various initiatives such as Love Feast, Children’s Ministry, Harvest

Hope Food, and Men and Women of Mt. Olive. Rev. Dr. Maddox also led our very first Brush Arbour

service, which promoted fellowship among church members. In 2013, Mt. Olive AME was excited to

spearhead the retirement celebration of Rev. Dr. Frank Maddox and reflect on his numerous

accomplishments and monumental ministerial journey. In 2013, as we moved forward under the

leadership of Rev. Isaac Grant, we were able to eliminate debt, purchase a new organ to enhance our

music ministry, and he led Mt. Olive AME Church during the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

​

In 2020, coming in during the mist of the Covid-19 Pandemic, our current Pastor, Rev. Dr. Malcolm O.

Simpson sought to establish stability in the era of this new normal. Revamping our virtual platform was

vital to worship service; therefore, he spearheaded numerous technology initiatives, including the

installation of a new sound system and establishing Givelify as our new online giving platform. Under

his leadership, we have seen exponential growth in new and returning members and among our youth.

An accessible Pastor, with an evident love for God’s people, Rev. Dr. Malcolm O. Simpson is truly a

Pastor after God’s heart. In keeping up with the growth of the church, Pastor Simpson has empowered

the Mt. Olive AME Church Family with the vision of establishing a Family Life Center on the property

that so many before us has worked hard to secure.

​

We are thankful for the legacy of Mt. Olive AME Church and for those men and women of the Clergy

who accepted the call of ministry including the late Rev. Elizabeth DuPree, Bishop Darrin Clinton, Rev. Patrick Stephens, Rev. Rommie Williams, Rev. Linda Sumter, Rev. Elouise Gladden, Rev. Joshua

Howell, and most recently, Bro. Tyler Brown.

​

On a final note, we are indebted to so many people for this great church. We are thankful to God for his

grace and mercy, our rich history, and for the accomplishments of the past, present, and those to come!