OUR RICH HISTORY

Mount Olive Christian Methodist Episcopal Church stands as a proud testament to a rich history within the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. It was established in 1881 by a group of nine determined members who first worshiped in a humble jug factory. In 1952, the church moved to its current location, a site that not only placed it among Memphis’ historic landmarks but also embedded it deeply into the fabric of civil rights history. The church, guided by steadfast leadership flourished to become a pillar of the Memphis community.

Mount Olive has long been a sacred gathering place where people have come to hear the powerful words of faith leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, who both delivered impassioned messages of freedom, nonviolence and equality within its hallowed walls. Situated beside what was once the largest Black-owned business in Memphis, the Universal Life Insurance Company, Mount Olive shares a profound connection with the city’s Black business heritage. Many of the insurance company’s most influential leaders were lifelong members of the church, intertwining their legacy with that of Mount Olive.

For many years, the NAACP Memphis Branch found a home at Mount Olive, where they held their regular meetings, further solidifying the church’s role in the struggle for civil rights. In more recent times, Mount Olive continued its legacy as a beacon of social justice when pastors from across the nation joined Attorney Ben Crump on its pulpit in prayer for the family of Tyre Nichols, uniting a grieving nation in its quest for justice.

The renaming of the street on which Mount Olive is located from Linden Avenue to Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Avenue in 2012 was more than symbolic for Memphis; for the church, the name change aligned us with our enduring mission as a sanctuary for people of faith and seekers of truth to gather for justice. Mount Olive’s legacy is not only preserved in its history but continues to be written as it remains a proud and active participant in the ongoing fight for equality and justice.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW

At Mount Olive Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, we are a close-knit family of believers in Christ. Everyone knows each other and new members are welcomed with open arms. From the moment you step through our doors, you will find a place where you can grow in Christian faith, engage in spirit-filled services, and connect with others. We provide spiritual guidance, Christian education, and Bible-based ministry through acts of service that make a difference in the lives of our members and the wider community.

Young people are at the core of our mission because they are the future of our church and the hope for our society. At Mount Olive, we believe in nurturing the full potential of our young members by actively involving them in all aspects of church life. We encourage every young person to participate in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, become a junior member of one of our ministries, join the Connectional Youth Ministry, and engage in the various activities we offer. Through these experiences, they will deepen their understanding of Christianity and grow in faith while discovering how to apply the teachings of Our Savior Jesus Christ in their everyday lives. Mount Olive is also home to several impactful youth community organizations. They are part of the church’s outreach to be a place where youth are trained and nurtured.

TBF (Tarik Black Foundation), founded by NBA and international basketball player Tarik Black is headquartered at Mount Olive. This youth life education organization offers a variety of exciting events throughout the year, including GLAM! Fest and other dynamic workshops designed to equip youth with valuable life skills. We encourage our young members, ages 14-20, to check out their empowering experiences. To learn more about workshops, conferences, and symposia, visit tarikblackfoundation.org.

Kudzukian Media Group’s nonprofit arm, KMG podcast studios is also housed at Mt. Olive. Young people in this training program learn podcast production and other multi-media skills. Some have the chance to apply their skills by assisting with Mount Olive ‘s tech crew. For any young member interested in the fast-growing field of podcasting, this state-of-the-art education is available right here at Mount Olive. To participate in this program, eligible young people must complete KMG’s application process and be selected by the Kudzukian Media Group. The application process is open to the public. Acceptance is based on available spaces and a proven interest in the field of communications. Youth chosen for the program come from all walks of life. To learn more about the KMG podcast program and the application process visit https://kudzukian.com.

  • WE LOVE KIDS!

    All are welcome.

    A baby’s crying is a joyful noise to us. The entire family worships together at Mount Olive. There are activities that feature our children. We offer ministries that support young people, our seniors and everyone in between.

  • LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN MEMPHIS

    We look forward to greeting visitors.

    If you are in Memphis to enjoy the sites, sounds and great food in the downtown area, we invite you to worship with us. Located in the heart of downtown Memphis, we are neighbors to the FedEx Forum and Beale St.

  • ALL ARE WELCOME

    We invite you to come as you are.

    During the summer months, we tend to dress more casually. Some of us like to dress up and others prefer to dress down. Whatever your style, there will be others who share your preference. We are just happy to have you join us.

  • BECOME A MEMBER

    We extend an invitation to you to unite with us in membership. Following the Sunday sermon, anyone who desires to join the Mt. Olive family is warmly welcomed as we extend our fellowship to anyone who wants to join us in faith. Church officers are available to guide new members through orientation. We believe in making sure each person that joins us experiences the most as a member.

mission

The mission of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is to be disciples of Jesus the Christ by serving individuals, communities and the world as the representative, loving presence of God and as witnesses to God’s salvation and grace.

what we believe

We believe that faith should be expressed through service, following the example of Jesus Christ, in order to bring about the Kingdom of God on Earth.

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Son of Man, and that his life, death, and resurrection reconciled humanity with God and overcame sin and death.

  vision  

The vision of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is to be a transforming church for Jesus the Christ within a changing world.