Mount Olivet Baptist congregation comes home to new church building
In a symbolic journey, the congregation of Mount Olivet Baptist Church walked across Uniontown to a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their new building in the city蘑菇视频 East End, coming back to the site where they have worshiped for more than 100 years. The Rev. Vincent Winfrey Sr., pastor, said, "We are home.''
In a symbolic journey, the congregation of Mount Olivet Baptist Church walked across Uniontown to a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their new building in the city蘑菇视频 East End, coming back to the site where they have worshiped for more than 100 years. Deacon Tony Bannister carries the cross while Gia Bannister, Callie Friend and Londyn Harris carry the banner. To the right of the banner is the Rev. Vincent Winfrey Sr., pastor, and Minister Natalie Winfrey.
Frances Borsodi Zajac|蘑菇视频
The Rev. Vincent Winfrey Sr., pastor of Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Uniontown, center, prepares to cut the ribbon on the new church built by the congregation to replace the former structure that they had outgrown. Pictured are (from left) front: the Rev. Delonte Reeves, Minister Asa Walters, Minister Natalie Winfrey, Deacon Nathaniel Hodge, Minister Marilyn Winfrey, the Rev. Vincent Winfrey Sr., Fayette County Commissioner Vincent Vicites, state Rep. Matthew Dowling, R-Uniontown; Andrea Thomas, trustee; Kim Harris; trustee; Deacon Tony Bannister, April Jackson; second row: Deacon Matt Lewellen, city Councilman Joby Palumbo, the Rev. David Rasmussen, Great Bethel Baptist; Deacon Warren Henderson, the Rev. Robert Crable; back: Minister Melonie Lewellen and Minister Tammy Gordon.
The Rev. Vincent Winfrey Sr., pastor, center, hugs Donald Havens while Wendy Price, right, looks on as Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Uniontown hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and block party to celebrate the opening of their new church building, constructed on the same site the congregation has worshiped for more than 100 years.
Joan Tracy, president of the Congress of Christian Education of the Youghiogheny Western Baptist Association, left, is all smiles as Beatrice Cannon gives a hug to an unidentified woman attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Mount Olivet Baptist Church as it moved into its new church building.
The Rev. Vincent Winfrey. Sr., pastor of Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Uniontown, speaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the congregation as it moved into its new building, constructed on the same site where the church has worshiped for more than 100 years.
The Rev. David Rasmussen, center, pastor of Great Bethel Baptist Church in Uniontown, speaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Mount Olivet Baptist Church's new building that replaced a structure that had been there more than 100 years. Rasmussen said, 鈥淲e鈥檝e been one of several churches that helped out. Great Bethel helped Mount Olivet get started. Our pastor was present for the stone laying in 1892.鈥欌�� The Rev. Vincent Winfrey Sr., pastor of Mount Olivet, stands to the left of Rasmussen while the Rev. Vincent Winfrey Jr. stands to his right.
Frances Borsodi Zajac|蘑菇视频
New Directions Mass Choir performed for the ribbon-cutting ceremony that opened Mount Olivet Baptist Church蘑菇视频 new building in Uniontown蘑菇视频 East End. Pictured are (from left) Minster Natalie Winfrey, David Winfrey, Deacon Tony Bannister, Arielle Winfrey and Jersey Greer.
Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Uniontown incorporated some items from the former church building into their new structure, built on the same site where the congregation has worshiped since 1892.
In a symbolic journey, the congregation of Mount Olivet Baptist Church walked across Uniontown to a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their new building in the city蘑菇视频 East End, coming back to the site where they have worshiped for more than 100 years.
The Rev. Vincent Winfrey Sr., pastor, told the congregation and friends who gathered in front of the new building at 57 Stewart Avenue, 鈥淲e are home.鈥�
While the walk was about 20 minutes, this trek actually took nearly three years for Mount Olivet, which is the city蘑菇视频 oldest black Baptist church, organized in 1882, and the mother church of the Youghiogheny Western Baptist Association (YWBA).
In September 2015, the Mount Olivet congregation razed the two-story, red brick building that had stood at this site since 1892 in order to construct a modern church.
The decision was made because the former building no longer served the needs of the growing church. The congregation looked to the future and took a leap of faith.
The new $1.7 million two-story building is made of brick and siding with a glass front and tall steeple. It is double the size of the old building and includes a sanctuary that uses chairs instead of pews, bigger dining, kitchen and storage areas as well as offices, classrooms, air conditioning and an elevator.
Officials incorporated some items from the old building into the new church, including the keystone, bell and a stained glass window that can be seen inside the sanctuary.
鈥淚鈥檓 happy,鈥� said Winfrey just before the ceremony began. 鈥淚t was a tough journey but we made it. We鈥檝e had ups and downs but God saw us through. We鈥檙e ecstatic about going into the new church in the East End when no one thought we could make it.鈥�
Donations and savings paid off two-thirds of the cost and a bank loan was secured for the remainder.
Winfrey said the congregation could have secured a loan earlier if the new building was constructed outside of Uniontown.
鈥淲e held our ground,鈥� said Winfrey, 鈥渁nd God saw us through.鈥�
In a celebration of the success in completing this project, Mount Olivet hosted the July 28 cross-town walk from Great Bethel Baptist to the new church. Taking turns carrying a cross, Winfrey, Deacon Tony Bannister and Asa Walters first walked from the YWBA Christian Center, located at the intersection of Route 21 and Duck Hollow Road in South Union Township, to join others at Great Bethel.
A car led the downtown procession of congregation members and friends who walked behind the cross and carried a banner. Many wore t-shirts that said, 鈥淚 love my pastor,鈥� in support of Winfrey, who grew up in the church and served as a trustee and deacon before becoming pastor in 1993.
More people were waiting at the new building for the walkers to arrive, including members of the congregation, neighbors, friends and elected officials who all came to offer congratulations.
Mount Olivet蘑菇视频 congregation, which has become multicultural over the years, worshiped at the YWBA while construction on the new church took place. Mount Olivet maintained its congregation of about 300 members, even adding some during the transition.
Rose King, of Uniontown, who joined Mount Olivet at the YWBA after moving here from New Jersey, said, 鈥淚t蘑菇视频 good to have your own church. I鈥檒l be here until I鈥檓 on the other side. I love my pastor.鈥�
Winfrey, who is moderator of the YWBA, an association of area churches under the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention, noted, 鈥淲e had great community support. People would ride up the road and see us and send money. They鈥檇 say, 鈥業 like your church. It looks like a church.鈥� People from out of town would send money, too.鈥�
Mount Olivet invited the Rev. David Rasmussen, pastor of Great Bethel Baptist, to speak at the ceremony.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been one of several churches that helped out. Great Bethel helped Mount Olivet get started. Our pastor was present for the stone laying in 1892,鈥� said Rasmussen, noting that he and some members of the congregation participated in the walk with Mount Olivet.
During the ribbon-cutting in which Mark Rafail served as master of ceremonies, Winfrey acknowledged people like April Jackson, who lives behind the church and helped coordinate the project. She took 9,000 photographs of the construction project.
Asked what the new church means to her, Jackson said, 鈥淓verything. It蘑菇视频 a blessing to have it back in our area. Our children who walk to church can come back. It will give our neighborhood life.鈥�
Jackson added, 鈥淚t蘑菇视频 something for the community to be proud of.鈥�
During the ceremony, Winfrey reminded everyone of the struggles that came with constructing a new building here and noted, 鈥淲ith man, it might be impossible, but with God, all things are possible. I鈥檓 walking into a miracle.鈥�
Winfrey said a lot of people, including those outside Mount Olivet, prayed for the success of the project. He thanked Rasmussen and other pastors as well as members of the congregation.
Among those Winfrey recognized were Minister Natalie Winfrey for her hard work on the project, saying 鈥淪he蘑菇视频 a great part of the building of this church,鈥� as well as his wife, Minister Marilyn Winfrey, commenting, 鈥淚 appreciate you putting up with me.鈥�
Marilyn Winfrey noted, 鈥淚 was praying for God to give you strength.鈥�
Natalie Winfrey said, 鈥淚鈥檓 just excited and happy I鈥檓 alive to see it. So many have gone home who wanted to be here. I鈥檓 elated that Mount Olivet completed the vision the pastor had. Strong finish. Strong faith. This is our season of blessings.鈥�
The Rev. Vincent Winfrey Jr. led New Directions Mass Choir in singing joyful music for the celebration and spoke about the long hours his father put into the project, commenting, 鈥淚 salute you for following a vision that God has given you.鈥�
Other speakers included Deacon Warren Henderson said, 鈥淭his is my home and I鈥檓 thankful to be here. May God bless every one of you.鈥�
Rep. Matt Dowling, R-Uniontown, offered congratulations and noted the new church building 鈥渋s going to be a central part of this community.鈥�
Fayette County Commissioner Vincent Vicites, who commented he grew up in the community and passes the neighborhood as he goes to work every day, said, 鈥淵ou have a great leader in your pastor and a wonderful congregation.鈥�
City Councilman Joby Palumbo explained he has ties to the congregation, first visiting as a youth: 鈥淚t didn鈥檛 take me long to fall in love with what this was all about鈥� and 鈥淲hat a great event this is for all of us to come together.鈥�
After the ribbon cutting, music filled the sanctuary as people walked inside to take in the new church.
Cynthia Winfrey Grooms, of Uniontown, niece of Winfrey, commented, 鈥淚鈥檓 overwhelmed. I wish the pastor蘑菇视频 mother was here to celebrate this wondrous occasion. She would say, 鈥楯ob well done.鈥濃��
Mount Olivet followed the ceremony by hosting a block party and held its first services on July 29. A three-night revival followed.
Mount Olivet holds worship at 8 and 11 a.m. Sundays with Bible study, prayer and a youth meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.
Donations can be made to Mount Olivet Baptist Church, P.O. Box 793, Uniontown PA 15401. More information is available at the church蘑菇视频 Facebook page, Mt. Olivet Baptist Church 鈥� M.O.B. or by visiting the website at www.themtolivetbc.org.