Stop A5: Olive Tree

Click on the above to listen to audio of the Wesley Place Olive Tree

Deeply rooted in mystery

The olive tree was originally planted in the back garden of the Manse in 1875 by Mr Mars Miller, a lay preacher and olive oil manufacturer. The story of its origin is that it was brought back from Jerusalem by one of Wesley’s founders around 1839. Yet its whereabouts in the 36 years before its planting here remains a mystery.

From Jerusalem via Brunswick?

Recent research, made possible by digitisation of historical newspapers, has revealed an additional clue in the puzzle. Newspaper articles from 1872 report that Mars Miller, of Brunswick, was in fact an olive oil manufacturer. His olive oil was mentioned during a hearing of the Foreign Industries and Forests Commission examination of witnesses. Samples of Miller’s olive oil were described as ‘of exquisite flavour and promised well for the future of this industry here’.¹

Just the spot

The tree has occupied different spots within the site. It was originally planted in the back garden of the Manse. A 1919 account noted ‘an interesting feature of the property is the row of bamboos and the splendid olive tree in the parsonage yard’.² The Olive Tree was relocated in 1988 to its current location to the north of the church.

References

¹Argus, 1 February 1872, p. 4

Image Reference

1. The Olive Tree being moved to the north of the church. Source: Wesley in Action newsletter, 1988