Our Heritage
1858-2008
As we commemorate 150 years on this hallowed site, we recall and pay tribute to those who left us our heritage; who became part of Christian history when they chose this place where future generations could freely worship God; and to all those who continue to build on that faith and pass on the “faith of our fathers and mothers” to future generations.
The beautiful edifice that stands here today honors all the faithful saints who have gone before; it is a source of strength to those who worship here today; and is a spiritual inspiration to all who would come into this House of God to worship.
The present facility is the third church building to stand on this property since the land was donated for a Methodist Church by Mr. J. B. Porter on March 1, 1858. Mr. Porter was post master at Des Arc in 1857. His gift was accepted by Mr. J. C. Stanfield, a church trustee at that time, and the deed was recorded on March 31, 1858. There is no accurate record of just when the first church building was erected, but descendants of early members say it was used as a hospital during the Civil War. Also, in its history, the Des Arc Methodist Church was a meeting place for the Little Rock Annual Conference in 1867.
In 1893, leaders in the church started planning for a new church building to replace the small structure that stood in the center of the block. The new building went up near a grove of trees on the west end of the block. It was completed in 1895 under the guidance of the pastor, Rev. B. A. Few. Among the early pastors of the Des Arc Methodist Church were Drs. A. R. Winfield and Andrew Hunter, for whom Winfield and Hunter Memorial Church in Little Rock were named; and Rev. Tom Ware, who came here on horseback with his saddle bags. Among the outstanding Presiding Elders (these were later called District Superintendents) who served this church were Drs. Alonzo Monk, E. R. Steele, J. Henderson, James Thomas and J. D. Hammons.
This beautiful church building, called the “little white church” was the center of worship, Sunday school, and all activities of the church for four generations of local families who worshiped at the Methodist Church. In those days, there was a preparatory time before Sunday school when everyone gathered in the sanctuary where the superintendent recognized special people. Some were honored for regular attendance for ten years or more. After a song and announcements were made, everyone went to their classes. They didn’t have far to go as all classes met inside the one building. A folding partition separated the sanctuary from the children’s department on the east side of the building. At least four classes met in the sanctuary. In warm weather, Mr. E. O. Hamilton, youth teacher, would take his class out under the trees. The Children’s Department was led for years by Mrs. Lela Thomas Winchester, church organist, and school teacher, Mrs. Bessie Clough.
Mrs. Lucy Brown Ragan served as the church secretary for many years before retiring in the 1980s.
Superintendents who have served for many years included: Mr. J. W. Watson, J. Elmer Berry, and R. L. Morton. Mr. Berry was honored with a “This is Your Life” presented to an overflow crowd in the sanctuary upon his retirement after 30 years in that position in the 1950s.
Before and after church, the small children would play on the chain swings lined up on the west side of the church yard. For many years, they could be watched through the clear paned windows. Years later, the paned glass was replaced with amethyst-hued glass with memorial funds. A few of these windows can be seen today in the north window of the sanctuary today and also in the lantern that hangs in the narthex.
In 1952, the church facility was expanded to include a separate educational building. This building provided facilities that provided space for all the Sunday School classes, except one. The Sunshine Class of older adults remained in the main church. The new building had other facilities never enjoyed before - a pastor’s study, kitchen and fellowship hail, and rest rooms. The Fellowship Class, the largest class of young adults, taught for years by Mr. Leon Coker, met in the fellowship hail - the same is true today. Later, as the two classes grew smaller, the classes were merged into one class: Sunshine-Fellowship Class. (This can be described as evolution or with aging comes changes. Though separated, we are linked together by our similarity). For a time in the new facility, Sunday School classes included a separate Men’s Bible Class.
Under the leadership and urging of Rev. Harold Brent, in 1970, the congregation began thinking about a new church. He appointed Robert E. Norman as committee chairman and a growing building fund account was the result. After Mr. Norman moved away from Des Arc and the project seemed to be floundering, Rev. Brent appointed a new committee chair in the person of Paul Siitonen, himself a finish carpenter. With Mr. Siitonen and new committee members, plans began formulating. In February 1971, ground was broken for new construction. Though Rev. Brent had been re-appointed to another church and Des Arc had a new minister, Rev. Bennie Ruth, during construction of the new church facility, Rev. Brent did return to officiate at several funerals and weddings before he passed away a few years ago. He was always credited with initiating the idea and the need for a new facility.
Through much cooperation and faith in the future, ground was broken and excitement grew as plans developed. It was truly a labor of love and commitment, and a brief moment of nostalgia as men and machines tore into the ‘little white church” that had been our church home for so many for so long. However, it was soon replaced by soaring arches that would surround the sturdy, larger, new sanctuary. The plan included integrating the educational building into the new construction. Work began at the east end of that building with a fellowship hall and kitchen on the south and the chapel on the north. The fellowship hall and kitchen in the building became classrooms and hallway. The new fellowship hall was used for worship services while the sanctuary was under construction. The west end of the educational building was joined to the sanctuary with hallway, choir room, rest rooms, pastor’s study and library.
Through inspired guidance, everyone saw needs and responded with gifts, talents, and work. Love, labor, memorials and gifts enhanced every part of the new building. Different families selected a classroom as their project. The $80,000-plus project was doubled in value before it was completed. God was glorified and faith was renewed in the people as the building was consecrated on October 31, 1971. That service was conducted by Bishop Paul V. Galloway, District Superintendent C. Ray Holzendorif and the pastor, Rev. Bennie C. Ruth. The blessings of that time was reflected upon this year as older generations watched the excitement of the younger generation moving forward with another structure that will continue to glorify God in this place.
