Faith without action is dead. This biblical message guides the Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church.
“We make our religion real and worship wonderful,” said the Rev. Johnny R. Calhoun, pastor of the Annapolis church for the past 26 years.
Mount Olive?s deep and fruitful history includes providing one of the first health centers in Maryland for the black population as well as the only intramural sports leagues for blacks in Anne Arundel County during segregation, Calhoun said.
“We also kept open Walter S. Mills-Parole Elementary School that the school board wanted to close,” he said.
The Community Life Center is the next project for the church. The building will “help save the last community of African-Americans in Annapolis from gentrification,” Calhoun said.
The new center will preserve Mt. Olive?s historical congregation, founded in 1870, provide space for outreach programs, and offer nonprofit agencies to parishioners, Calhoun said.
“One of the greatest forms of wealth for most American is their home,” he said. “Annapolis property is increasing in value, and we want to make sure our community stays homeowners.”
Mount Olive “expands the church walls out into the community,” said Hannah Chambers, a parishioner for more than 50 years whose husband?s family has worshipped at the church since its inception.
Beyond successful senior and youth programs such as Manhood Development and Mount Olive?s Diamonds, the church also sponsors a dance ministry and educates the congregation on hospice care, AIDS awareness, entrepreneurship, art appreciation and career development, Chambers said.
“We have a very active prison ministry, where we teach life skills to young ladies and gentlemen incarcerated in The Ordnance Road Correction Center and Jennifer Road Detention Center,” she said. “If I can go in there and share information that will cause someone to take a different path ? not rob the community or create violence and disorder, then it?s well worth it. We help them see life from a different angle and not do the same old, same old.”
MountOlive, 750-strong, is an extended family, said Jenelle Murph, parishioner for the past 20 years.
“When you walk in on Sunday morning, everyone is smiling and saying good morning to each other,” she said.
Murph drives from Upper Marlboro weekly for service in Mount Olive?s historical church, erected in 1909.
“It?s so much different than going to a school or living in a home that?s been around for 98 years,” she said. “It?s a different feeling because you?re in a spiritual place. There?s so much spirit here, and so many people?s stories. So much is left here.”
