| Endangered List: Back To Main Page |
| City/County/Congressional District: • Marvell , Phillips County (District 1 ) |
| Location Class: • Church |
| Year Built: • 1957 |
| Historic Designation: |
| Status: • Endangered |
Organized in 1870, the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and Cemetery are located south of Marvell in Phillips County. Multiple church buildings have been constructed on the site over the years. The current church was constructed in 1957 to replace a 1917 structure. The present fellowship hall, built in 1954, originally served as the Mt. Olive School. Senior members of the congregation remember attending school in this building. The Mt. Olive Cemetery is located west of the church and contains many historic burials and grave markers. The church still holds services every Sunday, the fellowship hall is used for dinners and community gatherings and the cemetery is still an active burial ground. The congregation has decreased in size over the years, and now, with deferred maintenance taking its toll, the church facilities are deteriorating. The foundation has settled, causing the walls to separate from the floor in places. The roof is leaking. Restroom facilities and mechanical systems need to be updated for convenience and safety. The cemetery has also experienced ground settling, resulting in uneven ground that represents a safety hazard for visitors.