Mount Olivet Methodist Church

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A Brief History of the Mount Olivet Methodist Methodist Church, Akyem Maase, Ghana

Beginnings

The Methodist Church was first established at Akyem Maase in August, 1913. Akyem Maase is situated about 65 miles north of Accra, the capital town of Ghana. It is the first town in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area to embrace Methodism.

In that year i.e. 1913, Nana Bosompem, Chief of Akyem Maase and his Elders realised the need for a school for the education of their children.

A delegation of three made up of Messrs. C.F. Adjei-Mensah, Moses Buotu and Kofi Donkor was therefore sent to Koforidua in the Eastern Region of Ghana to get in touch with Rev. E.R. Amoah the then Methodist Minister to discuss with him the possibility of establishing a school at Akyem Maase. Rev. Amoah advised them to first establish a church before the school.

In 1913 therefore the "Big Three" - Messrs. C.F. Adjei Mensah, Moses Buotu and Kofi Donkor with the help and support of Mr. Kwadwo William, Madam Mina Abankwaa, Madam Sarah Amoah, and Mrs. Christiana Adjei Mensah, wife of Mr. C.f. Adjei Mensah started the church. The first catechist appointed to head the church was Mr. W.E. Sampson. In 1914 a primary school was opened.

In 1915 ten souls including Lydia Ofosua, Kwasi Marfo, David Quarshie, E. B. Asamoah, and David Kwaw joined the church and were baptised by Rev. Amoah.

In 1918 more souls were accepted and baptised.

In 1921 Rev. Amoah was transferred to Nsawam and was succeeded by Rev. J.J. Mettle at Koforidua.

In 1925, a small mud building was put up as the chapel. The chapel also served as the classroom for the school children. The pioneer catechists served as teacher-catechists.

Later on a more spacious chapel was put up until 1973 when it was destroyed by a severe rainstorm.

With sheer determination, love for the church and God's help the present chapel was put up within a period of two years by the citizens of Akyem Maase both at home and abroad who had their education through the school.

The following were some of the catechists of the church:

• Mr J.M. Mensah
• Mr J.R. Donkor
• Mr Asiam
• Mr S.E. Antwi
• Mr J.C. Adu
• Mr Amponsem
• Mr Bentum
• Mr Alfred Priddy
• Mr Arhin, Turkson
• Mr J.B. Baah
• Mr Oti Ampaw

The departure of catechist Oti Ampaw marked the end of the era of the catechists. The Rev. ministers stationed at Akyem Maase were:

• Rev. J.B. Pobee (1971-1980);
• Rev. G.A. Gaisie(1981-1985) who initiated the move to raise the Maase society to the circuit status;
• Rev. J.K. Kwashie (1985-1987);
• Rev. J.K. Koranteng (1987- 1991)the first Superintendent minister when the church was elevated to the circuit status on Sunday 10th April 1988,
• the late Rev. Amoah (1991-1995);
• Rev. E. Aba Abaka-Wilson(1995-1998);
• Rev. Alex A. Amoabeng(1998-2002 );
• Rev. K. Ameyaw Boateng (2002-2004);
• the late Rev. Elizabeth Akesse (2004-12th December, 2004);
• Bishop G.L. Twum-Baah(2004-2006);
• Rev. Peter Dei Bakpanla (2006- )

The Spread of Methodism

from Maase, the word of God spread like wild fire to the following towns - all in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area:

• Akyem Asafo(1915);
• Anyinasin (1919);
• Saamang (1921);
• Dome (1926);
• Moseaso(1926);
• Nsutam(1930);
• Kukurantumi (1928);
• Asiamkwa (1931);
• Osino (1938);
• Asamama(1939);
• Akwabooso (1945);
• New Tafo (1939).

Organisations in the Church

The following organisations are in the church:

• Women's Fellowship;
• Church Choir;
• Singing Band;
• Men's fellowship;
• The Youth;
• Sunday school;
• Girls' Fellowship.

Each of them has its own elected executive members.

There are about 27 church leaders. The Leaders' Meeting is held fortnightly.

The School

The Methodist school has three departments:

• Nursery/Kindergarten;
• Primary School;
• Junior Secondary School.

Church Project

The main project the church is embarking upon is the Church Hall. The drawings are ready and the church is getting the materials for the project ready.