H.O.M.E. to Inhabit JP Lovett House
A landmark Olney home built by one of the founders of Hamilton Hospital has found a new mission.
The house at 811 W. Main St., a stately Cape Cod Colonial built in 1937 by Dr. J.P. and Sadie Lovett, has been purchased by House of Mercy Enterprise through a grant provided by the LF and Carla Perry Foundation.
The home was most recently owned by Olney Enterprise publisher Ronni Walker, who moved to Louisiana earlier this year after placing the property on the market.
For House of Mercy Enterprise co-directors Preston and Trena Crow, the acquisition came as a blessing and an opportunity.
House of Mercy Enterprise, known as HOME, is a Christian human development program based in Olney that helps individuals and families build stable, productive lives through faith-based education, mentoring and personal development.
Although the Crows do not live in Olney, much of their work is centered here, requiring them to travel nearly 90 miles each day.
The ministry plans to use the home for Bible study classes connected to its developing Grace School of the Bible, beginning with a dispensational Bible study course designed as an introduction to the program.
Mr. Crow said the organization also plans to make some rooms available as temporary housing, creating a source of revenue while serving people who need shortterm accommodations. Potential tenants could include House of Mercy graduates, traveling professionals and healthcare workers.
Situated beside the emergency department of the new Olney Hamilton Hospital campus, the house is within easy walking distance of the medical center.
The property’s future as a traditional residence was uncertain because of the ambulance traffic, lights and activity associated with the emergency room. For House of Mercy, however, those same circumstances make the home a natural fit for ministry, education and temporary lodging.
“We don’t care what’s in our backyard,” Mr. Crow said. “Half residency, half commercial property, if you want to call it that. It’s going to be a school.”
Known as the Lovett-Walker House, the residence occupies an important place in Olney history. Dr. Lovett was among the physicians associated with the founding of Olney’s original hospital.
For the Crows, the house will serve not only the ministry but occa- sionally themselves as well.
“It could be a place where my wife and I could spend the night every once in a while so we don’t have to do that,” Mr. Crow said of the daily commute. “We might set up a little bit of a parsonage, if you will, for the House of Mercy.”
After nearly 90 years as a private residence tied to Olney’s medical community, the Lovett-Walker House is beginning a new chapter — one focused on hospitality, Bible study and helping people build better lives.