John Oliver

Dr. John W. P. Oliver passed away peacefully in his sleep at age 91 on September 11, 2026 following a brief hospitalization. Born in Vincennes, Indiana, the son of Dwight L. and Elizabeth P. Oliver, John attended Denison University, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He transferred to Wheaton College in Illinois and received his BA in 1956. He then attended Fuller Theological Seminary where he received his Bachelor of Divinity. He completed a Master of Theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and received Doctor of Divinity degrees from Western Seminary and Columbia International University.

After serving as an assistant pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Hammond, Indiana and Trinity Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, AL, where he was introduced to his wife, Cristina, John was called to be the pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Augusta, Georgia in 1969. He remained the senior pastor for almost thirty years and oversaw a period of tremendous growth. During his time in Augusta, his two sons were born, baptized and grew up in the church. In 1997, he returned to Trinity Presbyterian Church as their senior minister. In 1999, he retired from the pulpit to teach at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC where he was the Robert Strong Professor of Homiletics and Practical Theology until 2013.

John loved his Lord from the moment he met Him which gave him a lifelong passion for proclaiming the word of God from the local pulpit and across the globe through international missions. As a result of his teaching and leadership, many members of First Presbyterian committed to full time missions, frequently joining organizations that served abroad. He also loved St Louis Cardinals baseball and Duke Blue Devil basketball and spent countless hours gardening and growing award winning roses.

During his time in Augusta, he was a founder and trustee of Westminster Schools of Augusta, Chairman Clergy of Augusta United Way Campaign, member of Executive Board Clergy Staff of University Hospital and Vice Chairman of the Augusta Housing Authority. John demonstrated his love for world missions by serving as Board Director of Mission To The World, Presbyterian Church in America, for over a decade. He founded the Oliver Bible Mission Foundation and served as its Chairman until his death. He was also the Director of Bailey Manor Retirement Center in Clinton, South Carolina, a Member of Evangelical Theological Society and a member of Nassau Club of Princeton, NJ.

John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Cristina Hope Oliver, and two sons, John William Posegate Oliver, jr. (Marsha) and Sloan Christian Shepard Oliver, seven grandchildren: Elizabeth Sloan Oliver, John William Posegate Oliver III, Caroline Posegate Oliver, Mary Kendrick Oliver, Elliott Warren Shepard Oliver, Sloan Christian Shepard Oliver jr., and Jane Elizabeth Oliver; and his brother, Warren Emerson Oliver

A service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Atlanta on Thursday, September 24th, at 11 am, followed by a reception in the fellowship hall. Graveside committal will take place in Springfield, Illinois at Oak Ridge cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to The Oliver Bible Mission Foundation, 633 Berckmans Road, Augusta, Georgia, 30909.