1st United Methodist, Rector

Brother Jim was in NE Arkansas last week and sent me some church photos. This is the Methodist church in Rector, built in 1915.

He took some interior shots as well.

I like the subdued earth tones in the stained glass.

Langley United Methodist

Wooden churches are often devoid of cornerstones, so it's hard to date them. This one is clad in vinyl, so it's even harder. Twenties?

Quitman United Methodist

There is a cornerstone dated 1881, but I imagine it was from a previous church structure.

This looks to me to be a bell tower, but I have never seen one separate from a church. Anyone know or care to speculate?

former Camp Springs Methodist, Kingsland

The same storm system that brought tornados and so much anguish to Alabama on January 23rd came through Arkansas hours earlier. One twister touched down here near Kingsland and wiped out Camp Springs Methodist Church.

The pulpit was left standing...

...as was the outhouse...

but the recently refurbished church itself was destroyed. A number of the gravestones in the adjoining cemetery were toppled and shattered as well.

We hear, but have not confirmed, that this may be the first church attended by Johnny Cash.

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Wye Community Club, Pulaski County

A community center today, this was most likely a church for most of its life. My brother estimates the date of construction between 1890 and 1920.

I wonder if this is the Wye Mountain church referred to in this entry of the Encyclopedia of Arkansas:

In 1968, the Methodist Church united with the former Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) Church, taking the current official name—the United Methodist Church. A congregation at Wye (Perry County) was the only EUB church in the state at that time.

I know of no other church in Wye. If anyone knows if this was a EUB church previous to 1968, or a United Methodist church afterward, please let me know. And yes, it is in Pulaski County, not Perry, but just barely, as Wye is in the furthest NNW corner of the county.

UPDATE:  6/13/12  -  I completely overlooked the church across the road, which indeed is Wye Mountain United Methodist Church.  Here's a picture of it.

Come to think of it, the community center could very well have been a schoolhouse in a previous incarnation.

Overcup United Methodist, Conway County

NE of Morrilton

1st United Methodist, Prescott

Looks to be built in the 1920's.

church FB site

1st United Methodist, Trumann

built 1956

church FB site

Lexa United Methodist, Phillips County

The cherry tree is blooming. Spring is here.

A nice example of thin-stacked Batesville area sandstone.

Lakeside United Methodist, Pine Bluff

Is this not a beautiful church? It was completed in 1912.

I snapped this picture around 1PM on a Sunday. A very nice lady who was leaving the church saw me photographing and introduced herself. I regret to say I don't recall her name, but I believe she's an assistant pastor in the church. She informed me the church once had a dome. You can see the dome in a photograph at the link below. Personally, I think it looks better without it.

church web site

Salem United Methodist, Saline County

Like many churches throughout the south, this one began as a campground arbor. Three other churches stood on the grounds before this one was built in 1966. The arbor is maintained to this date.

church web site

First United Methodist, Clarksville

Impressive bell tower.

Nice stonework.

Again, there was barely enough
sunlight left that day to take pictures.

Church established 1836
Built 1956

church web site

1st United Methodist, Mountain View

waning sun

Damascus United Methodist

The right side added on, no doubt.
Unique belfry/steeple/entrance.

First United Methodist, Carlisle

Visually, there's a lot going on with this church.

It was built in 1922.

Lodges Corner UMC, Arkansas County

My brother and I passed this church over a dozen times in the past two weeks driving from Stuttgart to DeWitt and back again. It's typical of a style of churches built to face two highways. We could find no date of construction, but Jim guesses the 1940's.

Southside United Methodist, Batesville

Spent a day at this church last week repairing their four stained glass windows. I enjoyed talking with Dr. Jim Pierce, the part time pastor there.

Johnson Chapel Methodist, Prairie County

Built in 1871, west of DesArc.

Services were held here for 99 years. It still is well maintained, as is the cemetery across the road.

Cathedral Park Apartments, Little Rock

The Little Rock church at 15th & Center was built in 1889. For its first thirty years it was home to the Winfield Methodist congregation. In 1919 it was purchased by the town's growing Greek Orthodox community and became the home to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church until 1983, at which time, like Winfield and many others, the congregation moved westward.

The building was then converted to apartments. The original slate roof was replaced with shingles in 1991.

First United Methodist, Conway

Evoking both Byzantine and Italian Renaissance architectural styles, this church was built in 1915.

church web site