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.

Shiloh Apostolic, Lonoke County

Also on Highway 31 just north of Lonoke. Looks to me like a converted dairy bar. A "Future Home Of..." sign has been erected on the wooded lot to the north, so there's an expansion in store.

I.D.M.R., Pine Bluff

Daffodils bloom outside the Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research. Is it a church? I don't know, but they host 'Bible lectures' four times a week. The building appears to be a re-purposed 30's era gas station.

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.

former First Christian Church, Fort Smith

Built about 150 years ago, this Victorian Gothic gem is now the Darby Community Center. It's rented out for weddings.

Another picture taken by Brother Jim. I wish my pictures came out this good.

web site

Marylake Carmelite Monastery, Saline County

A familiar and always welcomed sight alongside Arch Street Pike near East End is that of Marylake Monastery. It was built as a country club by the Shriners back in the 1920s, but it had a short life as such. Another use that didn't take was as a hospital set up by the noted quack, John Richard Brinkley.

In 1952 it became a novitiate for friars and nuns entering the Discalced Carmelite order and that it has been ever since. I'm sure I'm not alone in absorbing a feeling of peace that borders on reverence whenever I drive by.

(To be sure, Marylake is not, strictly speaking a church. Nor is there an official web site. But I would point in the direction of Father John Michael Payne's blog to give you a glimpse into life at Marylake.)

Temple Beth El, Helena

Like Helena in general, the Jewish population of the town has seen better days. When the members of Congregation Beth El reluctantly voted to disband three years ago due to their dwindling numbers, the synagogue they built in 1916 was donated to the city for use as a cultural arts center.

That conversion is now underway. A stage is being built and a geothermal heating and cooling system is being installed. (I have been re-glazing windows here this week for C/M Restoration, just one of the companies involved in the conversion.) When the work is complete, Helena will have a new performance venue that will be mindful of its past. You can read more about that past here.

I lay on the floor between pews to get as much of the stained glass domed skylight in the picture as possible. Still doesn't quite fit.

unknown, Brinkley

As there is no identifying sign, I assume this pretty little church has been converted into a home. If so, it's a bit unusual that the cross would remain over the entrance. A parsonage, perhaps?

Update: Please refer to the comment for the church's past and present identification.

Dempsey Film Group, Little Rock

Yesterday's post showed creative re-use by a church; today's features creative re-use of a church. Originally Second Presbyterian (currently in Pleasant Valley), the Dempsey Film Group moved in 17 years ago. Downstairs is for reception and offices, while production studios are upstairs. Dempsey put a lot of effort into balancing the restoration of the building with meeting the needs of a modern film production facility.

Even the sign is an example of creative re-use.

This is the central south facing set of stained glass windows. I'm pleased to say I helped in the restoration of some of these panels.

Update (July 2011) - Dempsey Film Group announced recently that it is to cease operations. The church will be sold.

Immanuel Outreach, Little Rock

Old neighborhood groceries can't compete with the chains, so they're turned into all manner of businesses and homes. But it's just as common to see them converted into churches. This one is in east Little Rock.