A Congregation Rooted in Post-Civil War Missouri
Olivet Christian Church sits on 11.5 acres along South Olivet Road on the eastern side of Columbia, Missouri, where it has stood for nearly a century and a half. The congregation traces back to farm families who gathered in homes and summer brush arbors for worship a few years after the Civil War in the community of Harg. The church was formally chartered in January 1874 as a Disciples of Christ congregation. An older building - still called the Old Church - stands on the corner of the property, while the current sanctuary was completed in 1995.
Making the Grace of God Real for All People
Olivet's mission is straightforward and defining: to make the grace of God real for all people. The congregation describes itself as welcoming and affirming, committed to welcoming everyone into worship, fellowship, leadership, and community regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, identities, abilities, politics, or economic status, including those who have been devalued and discriminated against within the church or society. The vision statement describes Olivet as weaving a tapestry of life-giving connections to one another, the world, and God, with a 2026-2029 visioning document guiding the next chapter.
Identity in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Olivet is part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a movement with roots in the early 19th-century work of Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone. Today the Disciples remain "a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world," and Olivet continues that tradition by practicing weekly communion at the Lord's Table, the central act that ties the congregation together. Church membership is open to anyone who confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Olivet adheres to no creedal tests, instead inviting members to think critically, respect other opinions, and regard others as God's beloved children. Immersion is the traditional form of baptism for Disciples, though Olivet welcomes new members by transfer regardless of how they were baptized.
Sunday Mornings at the Sanctuary
Worship at Olivet is a blended service, a mix of old and new liturgy and music, with leadership and music offered by members of the congregation. Services begin at 10:30 AM each Sunday and generally last about an hour.
Three ways to participate are offered. In the sanctuary, members and visitors gather in person. In the parking lot, anyone can drive in and listen to the service on the radio at 87.9 FM. And online, services are livestreamed on YouTube each week.
A fellowship hour begins at 9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall, with breakfast bites and beverages shared alongside conversation. Worship follows at 10:30.
Communion Every Week
Olivet shares communion in worship each week because the congregation believes gathering at the Lord's Table is one of the most important things Christians do. All are welcome to partake. Trays carry gluten-free bread and grape juice, and individual packs are available as worshipers come in.
Children in Worship
Children are welcome to fully participate. A worship cart in the Fellowship Hall holds activities for small hands, and children may play on the rug in front of the choir loft, dance in the Fellowship Hall, or sit with their grown-ups in the pews. A nursery and a sensory room are available for children who need extra space.
Faith Formation for Every Age
Education is central at Olivet. The program spans children through adults.
- Adult Sunday School meets at 9:00 AM and offers a space to discuss books, movies, or other topics that interest the community and inform faith.
- Children's Sunday School meets at 9:30 AM. Worship & Wonder serves ages 3-8, and JYF (Junior Youth Fellowship) is for older youth. Classes use multi-sensory activities to help younger participants reflect on God's stories.
- Weekly Bible Study gathers on Mondays at noon on Zoom, with conversation about the upcoming Sunday's lectionary scripture readings.
- Grief Support Group meets at 10:00 AM on alternate Tuesdays, offering a safe space for those carrying the burden of grief.
Olivet also maintains a Children's Library, with books and DVDs to check out and resources for parents, and an Adult Library stocked with Bible dictionaries, commentaries, and works by recognized authors for those who want to move from reading to studying.
Service and Outreach Near and Far
At the heart of Olivet's identity is the calling to love and serve neighbors. Outreach ministries support local, national, and global needs, with some partnerships long-standing and others shifting to meet current needs.
Local ministry partners include the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture, the Central Food Pantry, the Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri, Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen, Russell Chapel AME Food Pantry, Camp Hickory Hill, Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center, the Festival of Sharing, and the Voluntary Action Center. Global partners include Week of Compassion, Global Ministries, Church World Service, and Reconciliation Ministry.
Stewardship of the Earth
Olivet is a Green Chalice congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Members and friends seek to live sustainably, partnering with God and neighbor for stewardship of the earth and its resources, in ways that are socially acceptable, economically wise, and environmentally protective on behalf of current and future generations.
A Historic Venue for Weddings and Events
The property's 11.5 acres include a gazebo and plenty of space for outdoor gatherings, while inside, a 1,400-square-foot multipurpose room with its own kitchen for caterers can seat up to 95 guests. The Fellowship Hall accommodates 136. Together with the 1874 Old Church and the 1995 sanctuary, the campus is offered for private and corporate functions as well as for weddings.
The Pastoral Team
Olivet is led by two co-ministers: Rev. Natalie Dixon Crewell and Rev. Hannah Ryan. Adriene Floyd serves as Worship Arts Supervisor.