Community centers often serve a purpose which involves helping the people out. People, regardless of age, can find a source of comfort in a place that serves the public.

The Mt. Olive Community Center is open to people of all ages but it also provides a place for the town’s senior citizens to gather.

Amy Brake, who passed away a few years ago, was the director before Dana Peoples took her place. The building is a testament to Mt. Olive’s history as Peoples shifted through Brake’s old papers.

Among the things that Brake left behind was a card that detailed a ceremony involving the transfer of three arces of the old Mt. Olive school’s property to Jefferson County. As it turned out, Richard Nixon came to Mt. Olive to oversee this in 1972.

The community center was first opened in November of 1976. Before then, the ground where the center now stands was home to Mt. Olive Elementary School, which would eventually be torn down.

“The joy I get out of it is the people here,” said Peoples. “We have a good time.”

Activities for seniors include quilting, exercise and bingo. There is a track outside the building where people can walk or run on.

The Mt. Olive Neighborhood watch hosts meetings once a month at the building.

There is also music from a live band that plays on Wednesdays.

Each center like Mt. Olive’s is sponsored by the city. Mt. Olive Community Center was sponsored by Morris until that was taken up by Fultondale under Mayor Jim Lowery. Different churches in the area come out for volunteer work there.

Mt. Olive Community Center generates revenue by renting the building out for people to host events and activities, including weddings, baby showers, birthday parties and family reunions. Another part of its revenue is from donations, usually being around $1.50.

Meals are provided to senior citizens and a large part of the building houses a cafeteria were seniors can sit together and enjoy lunches.

For some, it is not only a place for fun and activity but for friendship and fellowship as well.

“We love this place,” said Betty Fines, a volunteer assistant who has been there for 23 years and works with Peoples. “It becomes a family when you’re here for that long. You rejoice with them when something good happens and you cry with them when it’s sad.”