In the early fall of 1885, a Revival meeting was held at a brush arbor in the east end of town. Following this meeting, the first congregation of the Methodist Episcopal Church,South, of Walnut Ridge was organized in October, 1885 by the Rev. S.D. Evans.

During the first months of the church existance, members shared a building with members of the Presbyterian Church, with the Presbyterians holding services Sunday morning and the Methodist meeting in the afternoon.

The first church building, a one-room frame structure, was erected the following year near the corner of East Walnut and 4th Streets. The parsonage adjoined the church.

Serving faithfully and well during the early days of the Church were Mr. and Mrs. Milton Rankin, Mr. and Mrs. Phelps and Mary Vinson Jackson, among others. In 1893, Mrs. J. W. DeArman and Mrs. Lee Rankin joined the Church and today they are our two members with the most continous service on the church membership rolls. Both were very active in church work from the first and had long records of service in the W.S.C.S. Mrs. Rankin served in the choir for many, many years.

During the early days of the church, such members as J.N. Beakley, John Pope, Frits Graff, Abe Phelps and Colonel George Thornburgh were outstanding laymen and served as church school superintendents.

Here it should be noted that Walnut Ridge Methodist Church has drawn some if its most staunch Methodists and strongest leaders from pioneer families in the western district of Lawrence County. It will be remembered that the Spring River Circuit, which includes part of Western Lawrence County, was the first pastoral charge organized in Arkansas in 1815 by the Rev. Eli Lindsey. It was this same year that Nevil Wayland came to Arkansas and his son, Jonathan Wayland. They, with Hugh Rainwater and Terra Stuart and their families, organized a Church on Flat Creek. Jonathan Wayland became a local preacher and so did Hugh Rainwater.

To the present generation of Waylands and Rainwaters (many of whom have held membership in Walnut Ridge) belong the distinction of being descendents of the first Methodist Church organized in Arkansas.

Other pioneer Methodists in western Lawrence County, whose descendants have held membership in our church were members of the Moore, Weir, Thornburg, Burns, Raney, Steadman, Self, Sloan, Andrews, Hatcher, Childers, Nemnick and McCarroll families.

In February 1921, the first Church site, Lots 4, 5 and 6, Block 41 was sold to the Trustees of the Church of Christ. The Church of Christ had been holding services in the house. The congregations of the churches exchanged places and Methodists met in the courthouse while a new church - one of the largest and nicest in the state - was being constructed.

During this year of 1921, the pastor was the Rev. W.E. Hall. His building committee consisted of R.J. Cooper, chairman; S.T. Hardin, H.V. Wayland, J.C. Pinnell, S.E. Spikes, W.O. Sexton, R.C. Surridge, C.S. Henderson, E. Mitchell, W. Southworth, John Lester and Judge W.A. Cunningham.

The new site as selected by this committee was the present location - Lot 7 and South 1/2 of Lot 11, Block 10. This property was deeded to the Trustees of the Walnut Ridge Methodist Church by F.M. and Effie Messer for the consideration of "$1.00 and other."

The cornerstone was laid and the present building erected at a cost of $60,000. .

In addition to Rev. S.D. Evans, pastors serving this church during the first 35 years were Rev. F.E. Taylor, Rev. M.R. Branson, Rev. Skinner, Rev. Haltom, Rev. W.E. Hall (the Rev. Hall served as pastor in early history of the church and was returned for a second time when the new Church was erected under his leadership), Rev. James Frank Armstrong, Rev. C.C. Burton, Rev. Fisackerly, Rev. S.L. Cochran, Rev. Walker, Rev. Neil Bowen, Rev. Eli Craig and Rev. Talkington.

Since the erection of our present sanctuary in 1921, the following pastors have served this congregation: Rev. W.E. Hall, Rev. S.G. Watson, Rev. W.T. Thompson, Rev. L.E. Mann, Rev. H.O. Bolin, Rev. John Leston Rowland, Rev. Earl Cravens, Rev. F.E. Dodson, Rev. R.E.L. Bearden, Jr., Rev. L.M. Conyers, Rev. Oscar Evanson, Rev. Elmo Thomason, Rev. Wm. A. Stewart, Jr., and Rev. Herchalle J. Couchman.

During the pastorage of the Rev. Earl Cravens, in the year 1941, the church debt was retired and the building was dedicated by Bishop C.C. Selecman, with the Rev. Lynn Wade as District Superintendent.

Forseeing the need for an Educational Building to offer expanded services, lots 11, and 12, Block 10, were bought from Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Trapp in 1952 for $11,000.00.

In 1955, with the Rev. Elmo Thomason as pastor, a two-story Educational building was erected on these lots, adjoining the Sanctuary. The building cost was $75,000.00.

This debt was retired in February, 1960 during the pastorship of the Rev. Wm. A. Stewart, Jr.

R.D. Burrow started this program with a donation of $15,000. The indebtedness at the time was $53,000. This program started on Monday, January 25, 1960 and was completed with a VICTORY DINNER on Friday, February l9th. when the NOTES were burned. We had the had the DEDICATION SERVICE, Sunday, March 13th 1960.

The following steering Committee met every night during the campaign Henry Rainwater, chairman; Jerry Bassett, Julian Beakley, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Bland, Jr., Gene Brand, R.D. Burrow, Percy Cunningham, Mrs. J.B. Elders, Oland Goad , Wright Hatcher, Howell Heck, Mrs. R.C. Higginbotham, Mrs. Roy Johnson, Bruce Logan, Robert B. Moore, Dr. and Mrs. C. W. Nickels, Mrs. Lena Rainwater, Bill Rainwater, Mrs. Pat Sexton, Robert Smith, Jimmy Snapp, Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Snapp, Mr. and Mrs. L.D. Wilson, W.A. Wilson and the Rev. Wm. A. Stewart, Jr.

The building was dedicated by Bishop Paul E. Martin, with the Rev. Lloyd M. Conyers as District Superintendent.

Annual Conference has been held at Walnut Ridge Methodist Church three times. In 1903, Bishop Hoss presided at the Annual White River Conference here. In 1923 Walnut Ridge Methodist proudly opened the doors of their new church for Annual Conference, with Bishop Atkins. Bishop Paul E. Martin presided at the Annual Conference held here in November,1945.

The Church Historian Shal1 Prepare And Preserve A History Of The Local Church And Bring The History Up To Date Each Year.

This article was taken from the Lawrence County Historical Society Quarterly, Spring 1981, Volume 4, Number 2. The information on this page may be used for historical and genealogical purposes and not for financial gain. Any use must be accompanied by written permission of the page owner and this copyright must appear with the article. Jeri Helm Fultz