Olivet is the first congregation organized after the 1946 merger of the Evangelical Church and the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. The first worship service for Olivet took place in Robbinsdale at remodeled house near 43rd and Beard Avenue North on Sunday, September 28, 1947. Olivet acquired their first full time pastor, The Rev. Gerald V. Walder, in May of 1949. The church announced a permit to build at 43rd and Chowen Avenue North on April 2, 1950. Ground was broken for a new church a few weeks later. The first services were held in the new building on July 15th, 1951. Six years later, Rev. Walder was replaced by Rev. Donald L. Walkes and Olivet was merged with Hope Evangelical United Brethren Church of Minneapolis. In 1962 ground was broken for a new addition to hold a sanctuary, pastor’s study, secretary’s office and nursery. In 1968, Olivet Evangelical United Brethren Church changed it’s name to Olivet United Methodist Church. Five years later, Rev. Gerald V. Walder returned to Olivet and served as pastor until 1987. The Olivet United Methodist Church in Robbinsdale was designated as a Minnesota Conference Historic Site by the United Methodist Church in 2010.
