Initially, poorly paid local farm workers were meeting for worship service under “the bush harbor, ” lacking the proper church. The devout folks got united and started making plans for a proper place of worship. In September 1870, a few members of the group were deeded from Mr. R.L. Heriot one acre of land located at Heriot’s Crossroads, the present day location of the village of Woodrow. They immediately met with the others under the bush harbor and on September 9, 1870, organized a church to be known as “Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church.” The church was remodeled several times as the congregation grew and was rebuilt in 1961. The new wing was added in 1981. The New Mt. Olive to replace the original one was dedicated in 2000. The seating in the sanctuary and choir loft were doubled; there are now six classrooms, a conference room, administrative office, pastor’s study, a commercial grade kitchen and spacious fellowship hall. A towering steeple was added as well.
2738 Woodrow Rd, Sumter, SC 29153, Phone: 803-428-6662