The History of Oliver Church of Christ
The Oliver Church of Christ has a long history dating back to the late 1800’s. It first met in Potters Spring community, about a mile north of its present location. It has been meeting at its present location on Highway 72 for over 120 years. The property deed is dated 1891. Oliver is one of the oldest congregations in Lauderdale County.
The first men to serve as elders were W.B. Comer and James E. Hamilton. Over the years, K. T. Jordan, Jimmy Thomas, Tommy Butler, James H. Hamilton, Ronnie Owens, Richard McDonald, David Myers and Joe Romine have served as elders. The deacons who have served the congregation in the past include Greg Allen, David Myers, Ronnie Owens, Bill Page, R. L. Thigpen, John Wilbanks, Johnny Wilbanks, and Ricky Wilbanks, Lonnie Butler, Tommy Butler, Allen Goode, and Lennis Walton. Currently the congregation has no elders or deacons.
In its early history, several men preached for the congregation on a part-time basis including Greer Hendon, Jack Howard, Phillip Hunton, and Bruce Jackson. The first full-time preacher was Gerald Sockwell, followed by Cordell Holloway, Glen Posey, James England, Jim Bullington, Charles Kretzer, Pat Gibbons, Faron Hamner (Youth Minister), Daniel Ridinger, and Dustin Key. Currently, David O’Connell serves as the preacher for the congregation.