OUR HISTORY
One hundred and sixty-four years ago, very near the present sanctuary's site, a small frame church was built by the Methodists, twenty four by forty foot. This was the first church building erected in the new city of Pocahontas, Arkansas. Tradition tells us that there was an old log Methodist church on Bettis Bluff, along Bettis Street overlooking the Black River, where Prichard Furniture's building is now situated.
According to the Arkansas Historical Records Survey dated January 29, 1941, "The Methodist Church held its services in the old Court House" from 1843 to 1853. This doesn't refer to the present brick courthouse on the Pocahontas Court Square, but to a previous building. In the fall of 1852, a mass meeting was held in Pocahontas and a decision was reached that the town must have a church and school building.
A subscription list was circulated and in March, 1853, Walter J. Lyles, "for a consideration of fifty dollars," sold the Jordon Street lot near which Methodist Churches have stood in Pocahontas ever since. On this lot was constructed Pocahontas' first church building, a twenty four by forty foot frame building. A "semi-" Methodist Church was organized to meet in the building. This organization dropped from existence during the Civil War, but was reorganized in 1867. The Methodist Church was founded with the understanding that ministers from any other church would always be welcome there.
By 1877 the Church organization had become sufficiently strong that a new church building program was financed. In 1879, the congregation bought from Washington R. Hunter the lots across Jordan Street south of the present church site. The consideration of this purchase was "the love I have for the cause of Christ, and from a desire to promote His heritage of the earth." The deed was made to William H. Johnston, M.A. Grant, and William A. Inman, trustees for the Methodist Episcopal Church, South."
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of Pocahontas was accepted as an official, recognized, Methodist congregation in 1882. Three years later, in 1885, the White River Conference met in the church's large frame structure. Though clergymen presided over the church's services much earlier, the first resident clergyman was A.C. Graham in 1897.
By 1908, the congregation found the 1879 frame structure to be no longer suitable, and in 1909 a building was erected on the north west corner of the intersection of Bryant and Jordon streets. This building was definitely a brick covered structure before 1926, but it may have originally been a frame structure, later covered with brick. The four stained glass windows from the 1909 structure are still part of the church. Two remain in their original positions, in what is now Sallee Chapel. The two windows pictured below were relocated during the 1926 modifications to the foyer just inside the "Cox Iron Doors" entry.
One hundred and sixty-four years ago, very near the present sanctuary's site, a small frame church was built by the Methodists, twenty four by forty foot. This was the first church building erected in the new city of Pocahontas, Arkansas. Tradition tells us that there was an old log Methodist church on Bettis Bluff, along Bettis Street overlooking the Black River, where Prichard Furniture's building is now situated.
According to the Arkansas Historical Records Survey dated January 29, 1941, "The Methodist Church held its services in the old Court House" from 1843 to 1853. This doesn't refer to the present brick courthouse on the Pocahontas Court Square, but to a previous building. In the fall of 1852, a mass meeting was held in Pocahontas and a decision was reached that the town must have a church and school building.
A subscription list was circulated and in March, 1853, Walter J. Lyles, "for a consideration of fifty dollars," sold the Jordon Street lot near which Methodist Churches have stood in Pocahontas ever since. On this lot was constructed Pocahontas' first church building, a twenty four by forty foot frame building. A "semi-" Methodist Church was organized to meet in the building. This organization dropped from existence during the Civil War, but was reorganized in 1867. The Methodist Church was founded with the understanding that ministers from any other church would always be welcome there.
By 1877 the Church organization had become sufficiently strong that a new church building program was financed. In 1879, the congregation bought from Washington R. Hunter the lots across Jordan Street south of the present church site. The consideration of this purchase was "the love I have for the cause of Christ, and from a desire to promote His heritage of the earth." The deed was made to William H. Johnston, M.A. Grant, and William A. Inman, trustees for the Methodist Episcopal Church, South."
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of Pocahontas was accepted as an official, recognized, Methodist congregation in 1882. Three years later, in 1885, the White River Conference met in the church's large frame structure. Though clergymen presided over the church's services much earlier, the first resident clergyman was A.C. Graham in 1897.
By 1908, the congregation found the 1879 frame structure to be no longer suitable, and in 1909 a building was erected on the north west corner of the intersection of Bryant and Jordon streets. This building was definitely a brick covered structure before 1926, but it may have originally been a frame structure, later covered with brick. The four stained glass windows from the 1909 structure are still part of the church. Two remain in their original positions, in what is now Sallee Chapel. The two windows pictured below were relocated during the 1926 modifications to the foyer just inside the "Cox Iron Doors" entry.
The decision was made to convert the existing brick church building into a two story "educational plant" and to add a large sanctuary facing Thomasville Avenue. The sanctuary would feature 10 beautiful memorial stained glass windows. This construction project was underway at the time of the 1929 financial crash and the Depression of the 1930's. The project ended with the building unfinished and the church heavily in debt.
Little was done in the way of completing the building until the ministry of J.A. Reynolds in the late 1930's. though large payments had been made on the debt in spite of the Depression. Under Reynold's leadership, the basement's Fellowship Hall acquired its ceiling. The building received its white stucco front and steps in 1940. Pews and a Hammond organ were also purchased. In 1945, the balance of the debt was paid and the mortgage burned on Conference Sunday, October 29, 1945, nearly 20 years after the project began. By this time, the building was considered to be in need of a complete remodeling.
The remodeling task was difficult due to shortages brought on by World War II, and modifications took much longer than expected. Reverend Hubert Pearce, Sr., an accomplished craftsman, constructed all the beautiful walnut woodwork, for which the sanctuary is well known.
On Sunday, September 7, 1947, Services of Dedication were held for the improvements to the church. Officiating at the services were Reverend Pearce, Bishop Paul E. Martin, and Reverend R. E. Connell, District Superintendent. Also participating were Ben Brown, Chairman of the Trustees, and Deane Sallee, Chairman of the Board of Stewards.
The church celebrated the 200th year of Methodism November 11, 1984, with Reverend Victor Green reenacting the arrival of an early Methodist "circuit-rider," arriving on horseback for the morning worship service.
Little was done in the way of completing the building until the ministry of J.A. Reynolds in the late 1930's. though large payments had been made on the debt in spite of the Depression. Under Reynold's leadership, the basement's Fellowship Hall acquired its ceiling. The building received its white stucco front and steps in 1940. Pews and a Hammond organ were also purchased. In 1945, the balance of the debt was paid and the mortgage burned on Conference Sunday, October 29, 1945, nearly 20 years after the project began. By this time, the building was considered to be in need of a complete remodeling.
The remodeling task was difficult due to shortages brought on by World War II, and modifications took much longer than expected. Reverend Hubert Pearce, Sr., an accomplished craftsman, constructed all the beautiful walnut woodwork, for which the sanctuary is well known.
On Sunday, September 7, 1947, Services of Dedication were held for the improvements to the church. Officiating at the services were Reverend Pearce, Bishop Paul E. Martin, and Reverend R. E. Connell, District Superintendent. Also participating were Ben Brown, Chairman of the Trustees, and Deane Sallee, Chairman of the Board of Stewards.
The church celebrated the 200th year of Methodism November 11, 1984, with Reverend Victor Green reenacting the arrival of an early Methodist "circuit-rider," arriving on horseback for the morning worship service.
The topic of remodeling the existing structures came up again at an administrative council meeting in the fall of 1991, when the congregation learned of a $55,000 bequest to the church from the estate of Reverend James Weatherford and his wife Essie. After some discussion on ways to add an elevator to reach the fellowship hall and the sanctuary levels, James Black proposed that an entirely new structure be added beside the existing church, to house a new, easily accessible fellowship hall, church offices, and additional classroom space. Reverend Sherman Waters also pointed out that the church's nursery facilities, housed in the oldest darkest part of the old church, was not very nice to show prospective new members, so new nursery facilities were also planned for the new building.
The funds were raised for the new building and the work begun in the fall of 1994 at a cost of approximately $700,000 for construction and furnishings. The large fellowship hall was named Weatherford Hall after the James Weatherfords, whose gift had sparked the building project.
Excerpts taken from 150 Years In Worship Of God, "General History" 2002, pages 1-8.
The funds were raised for the new building and the work begun in the fall of 1994 at a cost of approximately $700,000 for construction and furnishings. The large fellowship hall was named Weatherford Hall after the James Weatherfords, whose gift had sparked the building project.
Excerpts taken from 150 Years In Worship Of God, "General History" 2002, pages 1-8.