Mount Olive Baptist Church Restored in $1.1M Project

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Officials are celebrating the restoration of a local historical landmark, the Mount Olive Baptist Church.

This weekend, county officials gathered at the nearly 200-year-old church to celebrate the 20-decade-long project. A Morris County Historic Preservation plaque was presented to mark the completion of the restoration.

“I am honored to present this plaque on behalf of Morris County for a project more than 20 years in the making," Commissioner John Krickus said in a statement. "The structure’s restoration reflects the value we place on heritage and community, and we’re proud to have supported every major phase of its renewal."

The project, kicking off in 2003, was funded by the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund. Grants from the preservation trust fund, totaling $1,102,176, made the restoration possible, according to the county.

Restorations included roof and steeple repairs, window and stucco restoration, front step reconstruction, mechanical and electrical upgrades, interior finishes, and the installation of an accessible restroom, officials said.

Additionally, workers were able to recover and restore a trompe l’oeil ceiling cloth from the 1870s, an "uncommon example of 19th-century interior decorative painting in New Jersey churches."

The church was originally built back in 1855 and was part of a branch of "The Church of Morristown." Years following it became affiliated with different congregations, including the Roxbury Church, Schooley’s Mountain Church, until it was officially designated Mount Olive Baptist Church in 1890.

The church also underwent serious remodeling through the years, and eventually served "community groups," including the Boy Scouts, until the 1980s. Since then, the landmark is still considered "a treasured piece of the township’s heritage."

“The Mount Olive Baptist Church’s history is a testament to the resilience, faith, and dedication of our community,” said Mount Olive Mayor Nicastro, who presented a proclamation during Saturday's ceremony.

Since the inception of the Historic Preservation Trust Fund in 2003, Morris County has awarded more than $54 million in preservation grants to support 129 historic sites countywide, officials said.