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Ricardo Olm is the second in the first row (with a hat in his hand).

Photo courtesy of Brazilian White Center - UNASP. 

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Olm, Ricardo (1879–1952)

By The Brazilian White Center – UNASP

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The Brazilian White Center – UNASP is a team of teachers and students at the Brazilian Ellen G. White Research Center – UNASP at the Brazilian Adventist University, Campus Engenheiro, Coelho, SP. The team was supervised by Drs. Adolfo Semo Suárez, Renato Stencel, and Carlos Flávio Teixeira. Bruno Sales Gomes Ferreira provided technical support. The following names are of team members: Adriane Ferrari Silva, Álan Gracioto Alexandre, Allen Jair Urcia Santa Cruz, Camila Chede Amaral Lucena, Camilla Rodrigues Seixas, Daniel Fernandes Teodoro, Danillo Alfredo Rios Junior, Danilo Fauster de Souza, Débora Arana Mayer, Elvis Eli Martins Filho, Felipe Cardoso do Nascimento, Fernanda Nascimento Oliveira, Gabriel Pilon Galvani, Giovana de Castro Vaz, Guilherme Cardoso Ricardo Martins, Gustavo Costa Vieira Novaes, Ingrid Sthéfane Santos Andrade, Isabela Pimenta Gravina, Ivo Ribeiro de Carvalho, Jhoseyr Davison Voos dos Santos, João Lucas Moraes Pereira, Kalline Meira Rocha Santos, Larissa Menegazzo Nunes, Letícia Miola Figueiredo, Luan Alves Cota Mól, Lucas Almeida dos Santos, Lucas Arteaga Aquino, Lucas Dias de Melo, Matheus Brabo Peres, Mayla Magaieski Graepp, Milena Guimarães Silva, Natália Padilha Corrêa, Rafaela Lima Gouvêa, Rogel Maio Nogueira Tavares Filho, Ryan Matheus do Ouro Medeiros, Samara Souza Santos, Sergio Henrique Micael Santos, Suelen Alves de Almeida, Talita Paim Veloso de Castro, Thais Cristina Benedetti, Thaís Caroline de Almeida Lima, Vanessa Stehling Belgd, Victor Alves Pereira, Vinicios Fernandes Alencar, Vinícius Pereira Nascimento, Vitória Regina Boita da Silva, William Edward Timm, Julio Cesar Ribeiro, Ellen Deó Bortolotte, Maria Júlia dos Santos Galvani, Giovana Souto Pereira, Victor Hugo Vaz Storch, and Dinely Luana Pereira.

 

 

First Published: July 11, 2021

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Ricardo Olm, who served as a Bible instructor, teacher, and missionary, was born on December 12, 1879, in the city of Gaspar Alto in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. He was the son of Johana Olm and August Olm (1847-1929), who came from Pomerania, Germany.1 He had two sisters: Marta Olm (1878-1969)2 and Clara Olm (Boehl).3

The Olm family has historical importance for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Brazil since they were part of the first Adventist church organized in the country, which took place in February 1896, Gaspar Alto. They got to know the Adventist message through the Belz family, whose father, Guilherme Belz, was one of the first converts to Adventism in Brazil. Johana had been seriously ill for many years, but after studying the Bible and confirming the veracity of the doctrines she had learned from the Belz family, she was immediately cured by faith. Like Peter’s mother in law (Luke 4:38), Johana got up from her bed and went to prepare lunch, which surprised August when he got home as he was already used to cooking his own food. Sometime later, August also became an Adventist and was the first elder of the Brusque Church.4

Ricardo was baptized together with his family at the age of 15 soon after the arrival of Frank Westphal in 1895, the first ordained pastor in Brazil. The first baptism of Santa Catarina took place on June 8 in the city of Gaspar Alto, which included: Ludwig and Henriette Look; Carlos Look Filho; Karl and Hulda Thurn; Hermann, Gustavo, and Theodor Thurn. A few days later, the second group of converts was baptized: Wilhelm and Johana Belz; Franz Belz Filho; Gertrud Belz; Anna Wagner; August and Johana Olm; Margarete Olm; Ricardo, Marta, and Clara Olm; Hermann Olm; Emil Olm; Charlotte Olm; and Albert Bachmeier.5

Ricardo attended elementary school in his hometown.6 In October 1897, the Brusque Church in the state of Santa Catarina held a meeting at August Olm's home, which resulted in the foundation of the Brusque Adventist school, one of the first in Brazil.7 In 1898, the school of Benedito Novo was inaugured, and Ricardo accepted the invitation to be its first teacher.8 Afterwards, he studied in the Taquari Adventist missionary school, which had been officially established in Brazil in 1903 by John Lipke. While studying there, he worked in the school's typography business, which was later transferred to the state of São Paulo and today is the Brazil Publishing House.9

In 1906, Ricardo accepted a call to teach at the Taquari school alongside another teacher, Dr. Abel Gregory. At the time, classes were taught in Portuguese and German and, as a descendant of Germans, Ricardo apparently spoke that language.10 In 1907, he married Vanda Novak (1882-1968), a German woman he had met when she was a student. From their union were born six children, of which three have a record of their names: Willy, Arno, and Alípio.11

In later years, Ricardo worked as a Bible instructor and itinerant missionary in the state of Rio Grande do Sul alongside pioneer pastors such as Huldreich Graf.12 His influence extended to many cities: Taquari (1908, 1909),13 Taquara (1908),14 São Sebastião do Caí (1908),15 Novo Hamburgo (1909),16 Santa Maria do Boca Monte (1910), São Pedro (1910), Toropy (1910), Jaguary (1910),17 Porto Alegre (1911),18 Teutônia (1911),19 and Ijuí (1912).20 In Santa Catarina, he worked in Blumenau (1912).21

In the more than 15 years that Ricardo served as a Bible instructor, he collected many stories of God's providence in his life. In Benedito Novo, he almost died when the canoe in which he was traveling sank, causing the death of several passengers. On another occasion, his horses were startled and raced ahead while he was still mounted. He also had developed typhus, escaped stoning, and lost all his belongings during a flood. On one of the expeditions with Pastor Graf, he traveled to the state of Espírito Santo on the back of a donkey, preaching the Gospel for six months. He and his family moved so often that they used boxes instead of furniture. Ricardo's family often endured great difficulties. There were days when the children did not have even the basic foods to eat, but by the grace of God, neighbors often helped them to meet their needs.22

In 1914, Ricardo and his family moved to the city of Taquara in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where they opened a private school based on Adventist principles in their own home. It operated for two years at that address and later came to be administered by the Church before moving to other locations. Today, it operates at 2358 Coronel Flores Street. In his honor, the school changed its name to Colégio Adventista Ricardo Olm (Ricardo Olm Adventist School).23

Around 1915/1916, Ricardo opened a family-owned candy factory in his home in Taquara, which became his main source of income in the following years. For 30 years, he served as an elder at the Taquara Central Adventist Church.24 Ricardo Olm died on December 20, 1952, in Taquara after more than 50 years dedicated to the service of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.25 His efforts contributed to the conversion of many people in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Sources

Annies, Augusto. “Relatório da III Sessão da Conferência de Santa Catarina.” Revista Mensal 7, no. 3, 4 (March/April 1912).

Boger Jr., Herbert, “História da Igreja Adventista do Sétimo Dia Central de Taquara-RS.” Monograph, Brazil College, 1997.

Davis, E. M. “Visitando a Primeira Igreja Adventista Organizada no Brasil.” Revista Adventista 37, no. 2 (February 1942).

Ehlers, W., andH. Tonjes. “Rio Grande do Sul.” Revista Mensal 6, no. 6 (June 1911).

Ehlers, Waldemar. “Conferência do Rio Grande do Sul.” Revista Mensal 6, no. 9, 10 (September/October 1911).

Ehlers, Waldemar. “Conferência do Rio Grande do Sul.” Revista Mensal 6, no. 11, 12 (November/December 1911).

Ehlers, Waldemar. “Ijuhy.” Revista Mensal 7, no. 3, 4 (March/April 1912).

“Escola Adventista Ricardo Olm completa 100 anos.” Notícias Adventistas Network, November 12, 2014. Accessed on January 09, 2019, http://acervo.revistaadventista.com.br.

Harder, A. C. “Olm.” Revista Mensal 24, no. 11 (November 1929).

Hoffman, S. “Nova Escola em Alto Benedito Novo.” Revista Adventista 54, no. 7 (July 1959).

Kumpel, Manuel. “Do Campo – Rio Grande do Sul.” Revista Mensal 5, no. 10 (October 1910).

Lipke, John. “Christian Schools in Brazil.” The Advocate of Christian Education 6, no. 7 (July 1904).

Lipke, John. “Rio Grande do Sul.” Revista Mensal 3, no. 10 (October 1908).

Lundquist, H. B. “Pioneers and Progress.” ARH, April 20, 1972.

Meyers, E. H. “A Review of Beginnings in South America,” South American Bulletin 3, no. 12 (December 1927).

Moróz, David. “Origem e História dos Adventistas no Rio Grande do Sul.” Revista Adventista 89, no. 12 (December 1993).

“O Fim da Jornada.” Revista Adventista 48, no. 3 (March 1953).

Oberg, Renato. “A Primeira Escola Adventista no Brasil.” Revista Adventista 39, no. 9 (September 1944).

Pages, A. “Conferência Anual do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul.” Revista Trimensal 2, no. 2 (March 1907).

Preuss, Augusto. “Viagem no Rio Grande do Sul.” Revista Mensal 4, no. 10 (October 1909).

Preuss, Leopoldo. “O Começo da Mensagem no Brasil,” Revista Adventista 58, no. 4 (April 1963).

Renck, Boni. “Olm.” Revista Adventista 63, no. 7 (July 1968).

Renck, Boni. “Olm.” Revista Adventista 65, no. 4 (April 1970).

“Ricardo Olm.” National Center of Adventist History Network (Online), September 19, 2013. Accessed January 8, 2019. http://www.memoriaadventista.com.br/wikiasd/index.php?title=Ricardo_Olm.

Streithorst, Germano. “O Início de Nossa Obra.” Revista Adventista 53, no. 3 (March 1958).

Streithorst, Germano. “Santa Catarina.” Revista Mensal 19, no. 12 (December 1924).

Stuhlmann, Frederico. “Cinquentenário de Batismo.” Revista Adventista 40, no. 10 (October 1945).

Notes

  1. Herbert Boger Jr., “História da Igreja Adventista do Sétimo Dia Central de Taquara-RS” (Monograph, Brazil College, 1997), 15; E. M. Davis, “Visitando a Primeira Igreja Adventista Organizada no Brasil,” Revista Adventista 37, no. 2 (February 1942): 11; “Ricardo Olm,” Centro Nacional da Memória Adventista Network, September 19, 2013, accessed January 8, 2019, http://www.memoriaadventista.com.br/wikiasd/index.php?title=Ricardo_Olm; A. C. Harder, “Olm,” Revista Mensal 24, no. 11 (November 1929) 16.↩

  2. Boni Renck, “Olm,” Revista Adventista 65, no. 4 (April 1970): 35.↩

  3. Germano Streithorst, “O Início de Nossa Obra,” Revista Adventista 53, no. 3 (March 1958): 29.↩

  4. H. B. Lundquist, “Pioneers and Progress,” ARH, April 20, 1972, 15; E. M. Davis, “Visitando a Primeira Igreja Adventista Organizada no Brasil,” Revista Adventista, 37, no. 2 (February 1942): 11.↩

  5. E. M. Davis, “Visitando a Primeira Igreja Adventista Organizada no Brasil,” ARH 37, no. 2 (February1942): 11; Germano Streithorst, “Santa Catarina,” Revista Mensal 19, no. 12 (December 1924): 10; E. H. Meyers, “A Review of Beginnings in South America,” South American Bulletin 3, no. 12 (December 1927): 6; Germano Streithorst, “O Início de Nossa Obra,” Revista Adventista 53, no. 3 (March 1958): 29.↩

  6. Boger Jr., “História da Igreja Adventista do Sétimo Dia Central de Taquara-RS”, 15-16.↩

  7. Renato Oberg, “A Primeira Escola Adventista no Brasil,” Revista Adventista 39, no. 9 (September 1944): 23.↩

  8. S. Hoffman, “Nova Escola em Alto Benedito Novo,” Revista Adventista 54, no. 7 (July 1959): 32; John Lipke, “Christian Schools in Brazil,” The Advocate of Christian Education 6, no. 7 (July 1904): 109.↩

  9. Boger Jr., “História da Igreja Adventista do Sétimo Dia Central de Taquara-RS”, 15-16; David Moróz, David, “Origem e História dos Adventistas no Rio Grande do Sul,” Revista Adventista 89, no. 12 (December 1993) 8; Leopoldo Preuss, “O Começo da Mensagem no Brasil,” Revista Adventista 58, no. 4 (April 1963): 26.↩

  10. “Taquary Training School,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1907), 117; “Taquary Training School,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1908), 153.↩

  11. Renck, “Olm,” 34.; Boger Jr., “História da Igreja Adventista do Sétimo Dia Central de Taquara-RS,” 15.↩

  12. Boger Jr., “História da Igreja Adventista do Sétimo Dia Central de Taquara-RS” 15-16; A. Pages, “Conferência Anual do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul,” Revista Trimensal 2, no. 2 (March 1907): 1.↩

  13. “Rio Grande do Sul Conference,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, DC.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1909), 126, 201; “Rio Grande do Sul Conference,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1910), 125, 205.↩

  14. John Lipke, “Rio Grande do Sul,” Revista Mensal 3, no. 10 (October 1908): 6.↩

  15. Ibid., 7.↩

  16. Augusto Preuss, “Viagem no Rio Grande do Sul,” Revista Mensal 4, no. 10 (October 1909): 5, 6.↩

  17. Manuel Kumpel, “Do Campo – Rio Grande do Sul,” Monthly Magazine 5, no. 10 (October 1910): 6-7.↩

  18. “Rio Grande do Sul Conference,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1912), 139, 235.↩

  19. W. Ehlers, H. Tonjes, “Rio Grande do Sul,” Revista Mensal 6, no. 6 (June 1911): 6; Waldemar Ehlers, “Conferência do Rio Grande do Sul,” Revista Mensal 6, no. 9,10 (September/October 1911): 9, 10; Waldemar Ehlers, “Conferência do Rio Grande do Sul,” Revista Mensal 6, no. 11,12 (November/December 1911): 16.↩

  20. Waldemar Ehlers, “Ijuhy,” Revista Mensal 7, no. 3, 4 (March/April 1912): 11.↩

  21. Augusto Annies, “Relatório da III Sessão da Conferência de Santa Catarina, Revista Mensal 7, no. 3, 4 (March/April 1912): 13; “Santa Catarina Conference,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1912), 134, 221.↩

  22. Boger Jr., “História da Igreja Adventista do Sétimo Dia Central de Taquara-RS”, 15; Frederico Stuhlmann, “Cinquentenário de Batismo,” Revista Adventista 40, no. 10 (October 1945): 23.↩

  23. “Escola Adventista Ricardo Olm completa 100 anos,” Notícias Adventistas Network, November 12, 2014, Accessed January 9, 2020, https://noticias.adventistas.org/pt/noticia/datas-especiais/escola-adventista-ricardo-olm-completa-100-anos/.↩

  24. Boger Jr., “História da Igreja Adventista do Sétimo Dia Central de Taquara-RS”, 15.↩

  25. “O Fim da Jornada,” Revista Adventista 48, no. 3 (March 1953): 26.↩

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UNASP, The Brazilian White Center –. "Olm, Ricardo (1879–1952)." Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. July 11, 2021. Accessed January 16, 2025. https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=DGMH.

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UNASP, The Brazilian White Center –. "Olm, Ricardo (1879–1952)." Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. July 11, 2021. Date of access January 16, 2025, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=DGMH.

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UNASP, The Brazilian White Center – (2021, July 11). Olm, Ricardo (1879–1952). Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. Retrieved January 16, 2025, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=DGMH.

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