Mt. Olive Church of Christ in Ponzer, NC

Eastward on Federal Highway 264, across the Pungo and its expansive marsh, is Mount Olive Church. It is about midway from Belhaven to Scranton. The earliest church of Disciples of Christ in Hyde County, it was first known as Clark's Schoolhouse; not until 1888 was it listed as Mount Olive. Registering 26 members, it was enrolled by its State's Annual Meeting on October 14, 1866. Their delegates to State Conventions were: J.E. Gurkin and James Kelly Voliva. Their membership grew to 53, when in 1887 and 1888 they expended $95.85 on "building and repairs". This statistical bracket probably indicates that using the custom of the time in a generous supply of contributed materials and labor, they erected a plant of their own in lieu of the schoohouse which had been their church home for 22 years. J.K. Voliva was their first clerk (1887). Franklin Alexander Crary was superintendent of their first church school in 1888 enrolling 56, of whom 6 were teachers. The church that year gave $25 for "District Evangelizing" and $11.50 for Home Missions and $71.75 for preaching. Their C.W.B.M Auxiliary in 1911 reported 19 members, 6 subscribers to Missionary Tidings, and $21.70 given that year to general and state funds. Their church property valuation in 1901 was $500 and in 1930 $7000. The congregation completed its elegant building in 1925, said to be "the best church plant of any faith in the county." A feature thought to be unique for the time and locality was its steam heat.

John R. Winfield reported on October 1, 1882 that "The brethren at Clark's Schoolhouse are making arrangements to build a house of worship. Crops in Hyde are badly injured and we are somewhat despondent, but we trust in the wisdom and power of Him who overrules all things for the good of His people."

The saintly and beloved Harvey Spruill Davenport (1837-1921) preached for a long period at Mount Olive. His monument, symbol of lasting appreciation of the brotherhood who loved him, stands in the cemetery there beside the church.

Augustus Latham, Jr., a founding father of the Washington church, held the Mount Olive revival in mid-August 1899. It resulted in 7 baptisms. He exulted: "In all my experience I have never seen a more interested and earnest audience." Then he recalled this scene of 36 years before: "On October 2, 1863, on the spot where the Mount Olive church now stands, I made my profession of faith at the close of the sermon of the old veteran of the cross, S.L. Davis [Rev. Samuel Littleton Davis], father of this Mount Olive church. The next day I was baptized by another pioneer, John R. Winfield."

On May 29, 1903 C.L. Davis said: "Bro. Thomas Green our pastor at Mt. Olive is doing us a good service. That we are on the upgrade all along the line is evidence by our increased mission offerings, and that we are painting our house and making some improvements otherwise. Caleb Lafayette Davis (Oct. 23, 1851-March 2, 1936), son of Samuel Littleton Davis and Sarah Smith Davis, was a lifelong resident of this community, an active member of Mount Olive for more than 60 years. His father was the earliest resident Disciple minister in Hyde. Caleb became a Christian early in his boyhood and was faithful to the end. An ordained lay-minister, he was an excellent farmer and accumulated a substantial estate. Surviving him was the widow, Ellen Cutler Davis, and a daughter, Mrs. Lula Pearl Farlowe of Raleigh, N.C.

Etta Nunn made her first visit to Hyde in June 1910 and organized the Mount Olive C.W.B.M. Auxiliary.

At some point in time the church dropped its affiliation with the Christian Church, Disciple of Christ, in North Carolina and is now associated with the Church of Christ in North Carolina.

The church is a white structure to which additions have been made during the years. It is surrounded by the church cemetery and a beautiful grove of oak and pine trees.

Roll of Ministers at Mount Olive
1866-1880	S. L. [Samuel Littleton] Davis (c1821 - c1881)
1881	J.R. [John Robert] Winfield (c1829 - c1885?)
1882-1888	D. H. Adams (c1832 - ???)
1891-1900	H. S. [Harvey Spruill] Davenport (1837 - 1921)
1903	Thomas Green
1906	J. R. Tingle
1911-1912	C. L. [Caleb Lafaytte] Davis
1913	R.L. [Raleigh Lee] Topping (1892 - 1983)
1914	S. [Stephen]Tyler Smith (1871 - 1932)
1915-1919	J. W. [James Walter] Lollis (1877 - 1955)
1920-1942	John R. Smith
1944-1945	W. P. Armstrong
1946-1950	M. L. Ambrose