A History of Mount Olive

Des Moines, in the early 1950’s was growing to the west and north. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod had no church in the area. At the encouragement of the Iowa District West, Trinity Lutheran in Des Moines began investigating potential sites.

In 1951 plans were approved by the District and in 1952, before a congregation had been formed, a site was found, land was purchased, and construction was begun on the first part of what would be called Mount Olive Lutheran Church. The name Mount Olive was chosen because the parcel of land on which the church would stand was said to be the highest point in the City of Des Moines (at that time).

July 26, 1953, the cornerstone was laid. November 11, 1953 the congregation formally organized with 47 Communicant members and 38 children. Rev. O. Arnold Soeldner was the mission pastor who helped form the congregation. On February 14, 1954, the building was dedicated.  Within two years, this new congregation would become self-supporting.

During the years 1957-1959, a study was conducted to determine if Mt. Olive might start a Lutheran Elementary School. The 1959 school year brought the start of a kindergarten at Mt. Olive, and, in 1960, with a loan of $115,000 construction was begun for the school. In the fall of 1961, a K-4 school was begun with an enrollment of 61 students. In 1965, grades 5-6 were added, and in 1976, grades 7-8.  Little Lambs pre-school opened its doors in 1968.

Because of the needs of the congregation and its growing school, in 1972 the parsonage, which was built in 1954, was converted into classroom space and renamed the Kinderhaus.  In 1975, and again in 1987, temporary classrooms were added at Mt. Olive (These buildings are still in use today.)

Late in 2000, the members of Mt. Olive voted to venture into a new area of mission and ministry. There was no LCMS presence to the north, in Johnston. Mt. Olive became aware of a church that was moving to larger facilities, and that wanted to sell its site to another church. With the help of the Iowa District West and Lutheran Church Extension Funds, Mt. Olive purchased the site at 6270 Merle Hay Road in Johnston. After removing several old buildings, on April 29, 2001 ground was broken for a new Open Arms Child Development and Worship Center. The center opened in August of 2001. In December of 2005, the property would be sold to the Iowa District West, who would bring the support of all 175 congregations in the District toward the goal of building a thriving child-care and congregation in Johnston.

Over the years, Mount Olive has been served by a number of faithful Pastors. They are: Rev. O.A. Soeldner (1954-1957); Rev. Dr. Ralph A. Bohlmann (1958-1960); Rev. Reinhold Dohrmann (1960-1979); Rev. Ron Goodsman (1979-1983); Rev. Gerald Menk (1984-1990); Rev. Fred Kraemer (1990-1999); Rev. Roland Pillack (Visitation Pastor) (1995-present); Rev. David Mumm (2000-present).

Mt. Olive has also been served by faithful Principals and teachers in its school. Those who have served as Principal include: Mrs. G. Gardner (1961-1965); Mr. Ronald Richter (1965-1967); Mr. Byron Bockelman (1967-1992); Mr. Terry Otto (1992-1997) Mrs. Barbara Buescher (1997-2004); and Mr. Kim Eggerstedt (2004-present).

Mt. Olive continues to be the only LCMS congregation in the greater Des Moines area to operate a Lutheran Elementary School. While attendance fluctuates from year to year, generally we serve around 130 children in grades K-8. Membership also has fluctuated over the years, but generally stands around 650 Souls and 500 Baptized members.

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