Mt. Olive Church plants pride on Chicago Ave.

by Dennis Geisinger
published November 03, 08

“The idea is to show the pride we have in our neighborhood,” said Pastor William Heisley recently about the new garden that his church, Mt. Olive Lutheran, has planted on the west side of its parking lot on Chicago Avenue and 31st Street. “The idea is increasing beauty,” Heisley said. “We love our beautiful neighborhood.”

The new garden is part of a landscaping project for Mt. Olive that started several years ago, according to Heisley. A local landscaper, who is the brother of a congregation member, provided work. Mt. Olive Women, a group within the church that brings in new ministries and raises money for new equipment and church maintenance, is planning and funding the garden. One of its major modes of fundraising has been serving community meals. A Scandinavian Dinner (to raise money for landscaping) is scheduled for Nov. 16, starting around noon, with tickets sold at the door for $15. Reserved tickets for the meal can also be purchased for $12 by calling the church.

Not all meals served by Mt. Olive Women are fundraisers. The first Saturday of each month, the women are in charge of serving a free hot meal for the community at the church from noon to 1 p.m.

“We want to be a visible part of the community,” said Heisley. “Our feeling is that the people in the neighborhood should know that somebody cares.”
Heisley says he walks the route daily between his residence at Midtown Commons and his church and enjoys the encounters he has along the way.
“I see people in the alley between us and the liquor store and they know me,” said Heisley. “Lots of times they’ll smile and yell, ‘Hey, Rev!’ ”