Since 1960
Mission & History
Mount Olive Lutheran Church has been serving the community of Rochester, Minnesota since 1960.
01 Our mission
“Ambassadors for Christ, rooted to grow and serve.”
This mission statement is based on the biblical imagery from 2 Corinthians 5:20 and Psalm 52:8.
It is an active mission statement that reminds us that we are rooted in Christ Jesus through weekly worship and daily prayer, that we grow in faith through study of scripture and fellowship, and that the growth which God provides empowers us to serve all people in Jesus’ name.
02 Our story
A Mount Olive timeline
Mount Olive has its roots in the Augustana Lutheran Synod — one of the predecessor bodies of today’s ELCA, with roots in the Swedish immigrant church. Mount Olive was a mission start of the Augustana Synod in 1960, launched as IBM built a new production facility in Rochester and Mayo Clinic continued to grow.
- 1960
The Augustana Synod begins two mission starts in Rochester; Rev. Don Johnson is called as mission developer and early members worship in homes, then at the local Covenant Church.
- 1961
On March 12, 40 families sign the charter. The first worship on the current site is held on Christmas Eve, after a procession of eight blocks from the Covenant Church.
- 1964
Rev. Keith Beaver is called and serves Mount Olive for 29 years. Many IBM families — the plant is close by — come, go and often return.
- 1970
A new sanctuary is dedicated: a revolutionary design with the altar at the center and seating gathered around it. Weekly worship averages 180–200.
- 1984
Carole Joyce is called as an Associate in Ministry to energize Sunday School and youth ministry.
- 1992
“Branching Out in Faith”: an education wing is dedicated as the children and youth program grows.
- 1994
Rev. Lynn Ronsberg is called as the congregation’s first woman pastor.
- 1998
Revs. Peter and Kathie Nycklemoe are called as a clergy couple.
- 1999
Mount Olive helps found the Interfaith Hospitality Network (today Family Promise Rochester) and partners with Tri-Valley Migrant Head Start.
- 2004
The “Building for Mission” project adds a gathering area, kitchen, fellowship hall and office wing.
- 2008
The renewed sanctuary is dedicated on the first Sunday of Advent; the organ project follows, completed in 2010. Weekly worship averages 400.
- 2010
The 50th anniversary countdown begins with ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson as guest preacher; the organ dedication concert is held February 28.
- 2011
Pastor Laura Sutherland is called; ministry teams are formed and the Endowment Fund is established. A Tanzania trip brings 20 laptops to companions in Kijota.
- 2013
Worship goes online: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are used for the first time and video sermons become available. Pub Theology begins.
- 2015
Metamorphosis, a new confirmation program, begins. Pastor Glenn Monson is called as Senior Pastor in November.
- 2016
Partnership with Next Chapter Ministries begins; Service Sundays start; the Quilters celebrate 2,000 quilts given away; Bolder Options begins its work at Mount Olive.
- 2017
The Inclusive Church Taskforce forms; a team travels to Bogotá to meet companions in Colombia. Deacon Travis Beck is called as Director of Worship, Music and Arts.
- 2018
Giving to missions exceeds $112,000. In October the congregation votes to become a Reconciling in Christ congregation.
- 2019
Pastor Luke Hollander and Pastor Lisa Janke are called; the congregation commits to forming the Olive Branch Community.
- 2021
The 60th anniversary is celebrated quietly amid the pandemic; the “60 for 60” Fund gathers $60,000 for outreach, mission and scholarships.
For our 60th anniversary, members created the “Wall of Wonder,” a visual timeline of 60 years of Mount Olive, Rochester and the world. Download the PDF
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