In 1876 Archable McLaughlin and his wife, Jemima Duvall McLaughlin deeded some land to trustees of what was to be the Hopewell Methodist Church. It was located three miles south of Imboden (Of course there was no Imboden then, people went to Powhatan for supplies.)

The land was alongside a road which is now U.S. Highway 63. I am sure I have heard my grandmother, Mrs. George (Mary Martha Moore) McLaughlin, (Archable was her father-in-law) say that the church building was completed in 1877. I suppose the members met in homes before that, as I don't remember hearing of another building, nearer than Wayland Springs, which is at least four miles away.

Some of the early families who were members of the church besides the McLaughlins, the Weirs, the Smiths, the Georges, were the Moores, Kells, Johnsons, McBrides and Lawsons.

The community was made up of stalwart farmers, who made their meager living from the soil. Most everyone who lived within a reasonable distance of the church went there, even though it might not have been of their belief, but a congregation they preferred might have been too far away.

Two weeks of a Revival Meeting was held each summer after crops were "laid by". Members and visitors would come by wagons or buggies. There were a number of trees in the groves on both sides of the building and the horses or mules, which pulled the vehicles were tied to the trees. The back end of the vehicles would have beds of hay for the children to sleep in enroute home, after they had gone to sleep laying on quilts on the floor in a corner of the building. On special occasions a "dinner on the ground" was served under the shade of the trees, following the morning services and singing was enjoyed in the afternoon. The animals would stand there tied to thc trees, all day. Sometimes the all-day services were held on Easter and the children would get to hunt eggs in the afternoon.

There were always a few men who would accompany their wives to the Revival, but would not come into the service. A large oak tree near the front door of the building with big roots growing out of the ground, was their loafing place. They were usually joined by some younger unmarried men who came into the service sometimes, but were there mostly to escort some young ladies home. Occasionally this group of men would get carried away with their joke telling and laughing and with the windows and doors of the building open, their voices would disturb the service, so a church leader would slip out of the seivices to ask the men to be quieter.

As people left the community, especially the younger people, to seek an easier and better way of life, the membership dwindled. A few years of Homecomings were held in the last years, but by the early 1940's there were very few left to keep the church going. By that time people of other beliefs had transportation to go to other communities to churches of their choices. The land was sold to the owner adjoining land, and is now owned by Howard and Viola Meadows. The building was torn down about 1945 or 1946 and this material was used to build an outdoor chapel at Wayland Springs Methodist Camp, which is near the location of the Wayland Spring building mentioned earlier. The home made church benches and the pulpit were also used in the chapel. I don't know what happened to the church organ, but I often wish I knew, because I played hymns for many seivices at Hopewell.

Below is a copy of the original deed, which was given to me after the death of Roy and Nettie Stewart, who were long time members and custodians of the deed, which had been handed down through different families.

This indenture made and entered into upon this the l5th day of June A.D.1876 by and between Archible McLaughlin and Jemima McLaughlin, his wife, of the county of Lawrence and State of Arkansas, of the first part and J.H.S. Weir, J.M. Smith and C.L. George, as the legal trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church South at Hopewell, of said county and state of the second part, witnesseth; "that" the said parties of the the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of ten dollars to them in hand paid, by the said parties of the second part; the receipt of which, is here by acknowledged, have this day bargained, sold and conveyed and do by these presents, sell and convey unto the said parties of the second part and their duly authorized successors all of the following described tract or parcel of land lying and being in Lawrence County and State of Arkansas, (to wit) Beginning at the northwest corner of the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section thirty five; and running thirty eight rods south, thence running twelve and two/thirds rods east, thence, running thirty eight rods north and; thence running twelve and two/thirds rods west, to the place of beginning; all in Township eighteen, north of Range two west, containing three acres, more or less (together with all the appurtenances and hereditaments thereunto belonging) to have and to hold the same, unto the said parties of the second part and their successors forever.

The said parties of the first part, covenant to and with the said parties of the second part, that they are lawfully suzin of said land and premises that said land and premises are unincumbered and that "they will ever warrant and defend the title to the same - (so long as the said Methodist Church holds public worship on said land and that doors of the church house on said land are open to all `orthodox' denominations to hold public worship in; at all times when unoccupied by said Methodist)-against the lawful claims of any and all persons whatsoever.

In testimony of all which, we hereunto, set our hands and seals, and this day and year first above written.

A. McLaughlin Jemima McLaughlin (X) mark State of Arkansas County of Lawrence

I, F.Q. Pickett, a duly commissioned Justice of the Peace in said county do certify that Archible McLaughlin, with I am personally acquainted appeared and stated before me, that he executed the foregoing instrument for the purposes and considerations therein contained, also, came Jemima McLaughlin, his wife, who stated that she executed the forgoing instrument upon her part without any undue restraint of influence upon the part of her husband for the purposes and considerations therein set forth.

In testimony of all which I here unto set my hand and offcial seal on this the l9th day of June A.D.1876.

F.Q. Pickett, J.P.

No charge for fees
J.F. Coffin, Clerk & Recorder
Filed Nov. 22/77
J.F. Coffin, Clerk

A notation on one corner of the deed was "turned over from J.V. McBride to Jno. N. Gibson, April 10,1897.

A building was erected on the land donated by Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin and remained there until the early 1940's. When the congregation became very small, the membership was moved to the Imboden Methodist Church.

The building was torn down and used to build a chapel at the Wayland Spring Methodist Camp, near Imboden. The pulpit and the pews were moved there to be used, also.