Our History
single arc - Ascension;
triple arc - Mount of Olives
The name Mt Olive was chosen because of a similarity between the hilly country of Sebastopol and the hills surrounding the Biblical Mount of Olives.
Mt. Olive's congregation celebrated its 50th anniversary in August 2004. The 50th anniversary of the dedication of the church building was on August 6, 2006.
In the spring of 1952, a group of young people from St. Luke's in Santa Rosa and from Petaluma, with Pastor Fleischer of St. Luke's, canvassed the Sebastopol area with the hope of finding people interested in starting a church in Sebastopol. On April 6, 1952, Palm Sunday, the first worship service was held in the American Legion Hall. The new congregation soon moved to the Odd Fellows Hall.
The second founding pastor of Mt. Olive was Theodore Gohlke, who came out of retirement to aid the congregation in organizing a Sunday School and a Ladies' Aid, incorporating the church and adopting the name Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. An important church leader was Helen Harvell, president of the Ladies' Aid and superintendent and teacher of the Sunday School. During Pastor Gohlke's time, the congregation acquired property at Healdsburg Avenue at Murphy Avenue.
The church building was constructed in 1956, while Harry Miller was Pastor; the parish hall ("Harvell Hall") was built in 1962.
Mt. Olive is a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), a church body founded by German immigrants to the US. The LCMS is involved in many activities, including Lutheran World Relief and the largest Protestant parochial elementary school system in the US.
With each challenge we have encountered, we became stronger in our faith.
Mt. Olive's congregation celebrated its 50th anniversary in August 2004. The 50th anniversary of the dedication of the church building was on August 6, 2006.
In the spring of 1952, a group of young people from St. Luke's in Santa Rosa and from Petaluma, with Pastor Fleischer of St. Luke's, canvassed the Sebastopol area with the hope of finding people interested in starting a church in Sebastopol. On April 6, 1952, Palm Sunday, the first worship service was held in the American Legion Hall. The new congregation soon moved to the Odd Fellows Hall.
The second founding pastor of Mt. Olive was Theodore Gohlke, who came out of retirement to aid the congregation in organizing a Sunday School and a Ladies' Aid, incorporating the church and adopting the name Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. An important church leader was Helen Harvell, president of the Ladies' Aid and superintendent and teacher of the Sunday School. During Pastor Gohlke's time, the congregation acquired property at Healdsburg Avenue at Murphy Avenue.
The church building was constructed in 1956, while Harry Miller was Pastor; the parish hall ("Harvell Hall") was built in 1962.
Mt. Olive is a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), a church body founded by German immigrants to the US. The LCMS is involved in many activities, including Lutheran World Relief and the largest Protestant parochial elementary school system in the US.
With each challenge we have encountered, we became stronger in our faith.
A history of our pastors
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Rev. Theodore Mueller 2012 -- 2022
Interim Pastor Pastor Ted was what he liked to call a "Re-Tread" pastor and used his many years experience to help guide our congregation to the next phase in our growth. He served the majority of his career at St. Luke Lutheran Church where he guided their congregation for 26 years. After which, he considered himself retired but helped many congregations for short periods since. With his training and experience in intervention and problem solving, he helped to reinforce and build our congregation from within. Pastor Ted faithfully served at Mt. Olive until his passing in 2022. He was a faithful, devoted servant of the word that emulated and exemplified Christ in many ways during his life and ministry. |
Rev. Vincent Xavier Shaw, M.Div. 2009 - 2012
Rev. Shaw is bursting with his joy in the Lord. Raised in Los Angeles, he's familiar with cultural diversity. In the Air Force he learned how to make friends quickly, take the mission seriously, and appreciate the brevity of life. A graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, Indiana, he and his family arrived in 2009. He leads with energy and compassion.
"What am I about? Jesus and His gifts for you; the gifts of Divine Service; preaching Law & Gospel; unconditional subscription to the Book of Concord; speaking the Truth in love."
His interests include martial arts, science, technology, wrestling with his boy, teaching his new little girl Evie how to laugh, and dancing with his wife, Erica. Rev. Vincent X Shaw was ordained and installed as pastor of Mt. Olive on August 1, 2009.
Rev. Shaw is bursting with his joy in the Lord. Raised in Los Angeles, he's familiar with cultural diversity. In the Air Force he learned how to make friends quickly, take the mission seriously, and appreciate the brevity of life. A graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, Indiana, he and his family arrived in 2009. He leads with energy and compassion.
"What am I about? Jesus and His gifts for you; the gifts of Divine Service; preaching Law & Gospel; unconditional subscription to the Book of Concord; speaking the Truth in love."
His interests include martial arts, science, technology, wrestling with his boy, teaching his new little girl Evie how to laugh, and dancing with his wife, Erica. Rev. Vincent X Shaw was ordained and installed as pastor of Mt. Olive on August 1, 2009.
Rev. Dr. David Stohlman 1973 - 2009
Rev. David Stohlmann was pastor of Mt. Olive 1973 to 2009.
Rev. Al Starck 1960 - 1973
Rev. Al Starck served from 1960-1973.
Rev. Otto Urban 1958 - 1960
A call was extended to Pastor Otto Urban in 1958.
