1870:
The first beginning was in 1870 when a group met on the second floor of Rolling Mill Grocery Store on the corner of Tennessee Street (now Capital Ave.) and South Street. Later a piece of ground was donated on the west side of South Meridian ST. between Merrill and McCarty. Olive Branch was the fifth Christian church in Indianapolis. In 1879, the church fell on hard times, interest had waned, attendance had fallen, and by December 1880 the doors were closed.
Gone but not forgotten:
The church was gone, but it was not forgotten. Rev. J.M. Canfield and his children remembered. The children, who were students at the afternoon Sunday school, were broken hearted when the church was forced to close its doors. His son, young Will Canfield, was very upset at the closure of Olive Branch and swore to his mother that he was going to see that Olive Branch would begin again.
1887: The second beginning:
On April 24, 1887, Olive Branch Christian Sunday school met in a building used as a tin shop at 573 S. Meridian St with 51 persons in attendance. The offering that day was $1.55. During the first year, attendance doubled to over 100 and $142.27 had been raised.
1893: A year of change:
In 1893, the tin shop was sold and Olive Branch had to move. They were faced with the choice of renting another room or buying a building. The group decided to step out in faith, during a year of great financial instability, and purchased a cottage across the street from the tin shop at 556 S Meridian St. Money was raised from women making quilts and an ice cream festival which combined netted about $81.10. But the littlest members were not to be out done, the children went from place to place, with their jugs, and collected $86.15. But it was Will Canfield, who time after time, contributed generously and kept Olive Branch going. On May 7, 1893, the new church building was opened. The purchase price was $2,150 plus remodeling costs bringing the total to $2,201.90.
Leadership circa 1894:
On February 18, 1894, Olive Branch began a church organization by electing a clerk and a treasurer.
There were 16 people who signed as charter members, including William Canfield, Josephine Canfield, Grace Hare and Mary Hare. On May 18, 1895, Olive Branch Sunday school changed to Olive Branch Christian Mission with Albert Hare, Franck Lockwood, Charles Antrobus, Jim Eaves, Clarence Wheeler, and Mr. Carter elected to the official board.
1910-1929: Moving into the future:
In early 1910, Olive Branch made the decision to move again. Two lots were purchased at the corner of Pennsylvania and Raymond Streets. In the summer of 1910, a tent meeting was held on the northwest corner of these streets. During the summer, a one- room frame building was erected on the south end of the lots, facing Pennsylvania Street. This building was dedicated in the latter part of November. Within 2 years, the basement under the present sanctuary was used as a meeting place. This was a time when people came with shovels and wheel barrows and dug the basement themselves. This was during a time of when little money was available to the church. Many members sacrificed their time, talents, and money to ready the church for service. With no money to buy a heating unit, Mr. Oscar Taylor, mortgaged his own home to buy a furnace for his church. By 1916, the current sanctuary was erected. Church attendance by 1918 had gone from 100 to 400. Under the leadership of Ephraim D. Lowe, a state of the art education building was built and dedicated on March 3, 1929. The fall of 1929 saw the beginning of the great depression, but Olive Branch negotiated with the lending institution for a lower payment and never defaulted on the obligation that the congregation took on in that ill-fated year.
1941-1944:
During this time our country was fighting the Second World War. Here at home, Olive Branch kept in touch with their service men through letters of encouragement and prayers. This let our soldiers know that their church had not forgotten them during this terrible war. It was during this time that the “Chapel of the Open Door,” was created in honor and memory of our young people who had served their nation. The chapel was dedicated on Palm Sunday, April 2, 1944.
1957-1958: The Birth of Southport Christian Church.
By 1955, Olive Branch Christian church was at its capacity, with the church school attendance reaching 800. With every room in the church being used for classes and meetings, it was obvious that a decision needed to be made regarding the growth of the church. Many members had begun to move south to the suburbs, but many still remained in the neighborhood. A decision had to be made on whether to move
the entire church, to add on to the present building, or to start another church in the suburbs. The decision was made to start another church and members were asked for volunteers to go out and start the new church. Olive Branch helped to purchase land, and pay for the first year salary of their minister. Then
250 members left Olive Branch Christian Church to start Southport Christian Church in January, 1958. Brother Florence wrote, “Although we miss their presence, and their enthusiastic leadership, we are today very proud of the accomplishments of these fine young people who organized Southport Christian Church.”
Our History/ Mission:
The history of Olive Branch Christian Church has been a long and glorious one, but not without its ups
and downs. It has been glorious because it has surmounted all of the obstacles which would strife it’s witnessing of Jesus Christ. It has survived and even flourished during the long years of its history, because of dedicated leadership, because of sacrificial lay people-both men and women- who have
gave of their time, their talents, their labor, and their money. We have survived all of our trials because
our mission has been clear, love God and love each other. We have reached out to those in need through our food pantry, our annual toy drive, our sleeping bag program, our free Thanksgiving dinner, and our work with HOOP to help the homeless. We have best served God by serving others, and have been blessed with a rich heritage. May God continue to bless Olive Branch as long as Olive Branch continues
to serve Him.