Our History
The Olympic Way Seventh-day Adventist Church was born out of a powerful evangelistic crusade in February 1995, led by the Penwood and Hagley Park Seventh-day Adventist Churches.The meetings were held on the playfield at the Seaward Primary and Junior High School, located at 119 Olympic Way.
The evangelist for the campaign was Elder Herman Ming, who would later go on to serve as a pastor in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. For six weeks, the gospel was preached with power and conviction, and by the end, over two hundred souls were baptized; a true
harvest for the Kingdom.
After the crusade ended, the new believers continued worshipping together under the “canvas cathedral” that provided a temporary sanctuary. For about a month, the group remained united in one place, with the shared goal of nurturing the new members and helping them grow in
their faith. During that time, various names were proposed for the emerging church body.
Eventually, the church secured a plot of land at 51 Olympic Way, generously made available by Brother Author Jackson (now deceased), a member of Hagley Park Seventh-day Adventist Church. The name Olympic Way Seventh-day Adventist Church was chosen.
Before the acquisition of the location, it is said that the property was used for selling drugs and other illegal activities. More than thirty years later, the now-sacred spot, remains a spiritual home for hundreds of members who’ve been a part of this church family.
As the church began to organize, Pastor Gleville Carr became our first assigned pastor. Our first elder was Elder Osmond Douglas from the Penwood Seventh-day Adventist Church. The role of Head Deacon was faithfully filled by Brother Leopold Buchanan, and Sister Geneva Jackson served as our first Head Deaconess, both coming from Hagley Park. Financial leadership was entrusted to Brother Hestrol McNeil from Penwood, with his assistant Sister Stephanie Raphael, one of the newly baptized. Sister Jacqueline Cooke from Penwood served as the first Church Clerk. Other key roles were filled by young leaders like Sister Olivee Taylor (now Phillips), who led the Adventist Youth Department, and Sister Gayle McDonald (now Ellis), the first Sabbath School Superintendent. Another instrumental leader was Brother Isaiah McIntosh, also from
Penwood, who contributed greatly to the spiritual life of the new congregation.
The church is known for its commitment to holistic ministry. Through departments such as Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department that hosts cell meeting at different locations in the community. The Adventist Youth Department with its Global Youth Day and Love in the
Streets initiatives, and the Children and Adolescents’ Department that host branch Sabbath School and Vacation Bible School which serves as a blessing to the children of the church and the community. Through these outreach initiatives, the church has made a meaningful impact on both
its members and the wider community.
Since its organization as a church in 1995, the Olympic Way Seventh-day Adventist Church has grown into a dynamic community of faith, shaped by strong leadership, warm fellowship, and a shared commitment to proclaim the everlasting gospel. From its humble beginnings under a canvas roof to a firmly planted beacon of light and hope in the community. With a firm foundation in the gospel and a clear mission to serve, this church is a testimony of God’s guidance and grace.
Today, Olympic Way Seventh-day Adventist Church has a membership of approximately three hundred (300). It is located in district twelve, which is the Penwood District of Churches that comprises Penwood, Olympic Way, and Seaview Gardens Seventh-day Adventist Churches and
Zone 2 of the East Jamaica Conference.
The church continues to serve faithfully under the leadership of our current pastor, Pastor Holland Thompson aiming to fulfill the gospel commission with renewed passion. The church envisions greater engagement in discipleship, youth development, and mission work as it prepares members and the community for Christ’s soon return.
