First Congregational Church / First Congregational Church

The First Congregational Church grew out of the evangelical movement that swept the country during the early nineteenth century. The congregation and its antislavery and temperance societies were organized in 1845. Temperance activities continued into the 1930s. Dedicated in 1894, this is the third building used for worship. In 1968 the church became Olivet Congregational Church, United Church of Christ. When this church was dedicated on June 20, 1894, the Olivet Optic called it a monument to the “self-denial, self sacrifice and loyalty to the cause of religion” shown by the citizens of Olivet. Milwaukee architect Henry F. Starbuck designed the Ionia sandstone, Richardsonian Romanesque church. The three thousand-pound bell was cast in Baltimore and George Androvette of Chicago provided the stained glass windows.