Chapter Thirty-One

Marion County Churches

by Mrs. Bernice Johnson

Pages 481-482

"Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; teaching. them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19, 20. These words were spoken by Jesus as He was preparing his disciples for his departure from this earth. Many have followed this teaching and his followers have moved from place to place spreading the gospel.

Now as we celebrate our 200th year as a nation, we remember that many of our forefathers migrated to this country for religious freedom, and with the westward movement came the Bible and its teachings.

Before Arkansas became a state, religious services were being held. Among the early settlers in this area now Marion County were Methodists, Baptists and Christians.

The story is told of the Presbyterian missionary who came into the Newton Flat (now Bull Shoals area) area near the close of the 19th century. It was a hot day and the missionary, traveling on foot, stopped at the home of Uncle Billy and Aunt Sallie Hunter and asked for a drink of water. Aunt Sallie gave him a drink of cold water and some homemade molasses cookies. As he ate and drank, he asked Aunt Sallie if there were any Presbyterians in the community. Aunt Sallie replied: "I have never heard Billy mention any such varmint but if there are any Billy will have one of their hides on the smokehouse, as he is the best hunter and trapper in these parts."

The following is taken from the writings of W. R. Jones: "Near Crooked and Hog Skin Creeks in the vicinity of Corb Wood's and Dick Hurst's places, the Hurst and Woods children grew up. At the home of John Hunt, Jr., who married Nancy Wood, the first sermon ever preached in Marion County was delivered. It was by a Primitive Baptist minister, Elder Jesse Casey, grandfather of Jasper Casey, also a minister." Others mentioned as early preachers were Elder Henry Sasser, "Tosh" Seward and Elder Parmer, of the Missionary Baptist.

Mr. Jones states that "The two nestors of the Christian church were Elder W. B. Flippin of Flippin Barrens, and Elder W. C. Jenkins of Sugar Loaf. Other Christian preachers were Elders James Rose, Tom Nowlin and Joseph Boyd."

Among the Methodist ministers, Mr. Jones wrote that, "Old Parson Wade (J. H.) was the nestor of Methodism and that his son George and grandson Lynn Wade were also Methodist ministers."

Mr. T. J. Estes in Early Days and War Times in North Arkansas tells of"'Parson J. H. Wade coming to Yellville and hoiding a meeting in a brush arbor. (This was probably after the burning of the church building when he re-organized the Methodist work in this area.) There were around one hundred confessions. He was assisted in these meetings by Parsons Shinn and Shook, two more of the pioneer preachers.

From Early Days in Marion County by Marion Burnes, this obituary was carried in the MOUNTAIN ECHO, written by J. A. Rose, an early Christian minister: "John H. Tabor, one of our oldest and best citizens has gone home. He came to Marion County when only a boy. He lived with the Indians and enjoyed hunting, fishing and living the life of the red-man. In 1868 he obeyed the gospel of Christ and was baptized by W. B. Flippin and lived a godly life."

The first church recorded was the Methodist church at Pleasant Ridge in 1848. The first Baptist church was established in Bruno in 1871. Prior to the erection of buildings, church would be held in homes and brush arbors. The really big meetings, camp meetings, were held. People walked, rode horseback, came in wagons and even in boats to reach the place where a meeting of some group was being held. These meetings provided much more than the preaching of the gospel. It was a great part of the social life. Many marriages and lasting friendships were made during these times.

It seems that our forefathers worshipped somewhat differently than we do today. All attended other groups' meetings and even, at times, helped in the services, Several men have been listed as early members in more than one denomination.

Revivals and camp meetings were events held after the crops were laid by. In many places brush arbors were used. The arbor was made by cutting small trees which were used for the outside frame and roof. The roof was then covered with tree branches. Benches were made from split logs.

Mrs. Mary Nichols, daughter of Joe and Eliza Clem, writes of her early life in school at Dry Hill and in church at Duren Valley on Greasy Creek. She recalled such people as Bro. Lee Carson, the blind preacher, Rupert Nanny, W. R. Jones, Brothers Lamb and Milum, the Cab and Dow Wolf's families, the Evans family and Uncle Will Clem-and of Orbie Clem being baptized after the ice was broken. She told of the wonderful meetings they had where God poured out the Holy Spirit and of the shouting that followed.

Mrs. Sam Duren told of the church known to most people in Yellville in the 1920's as Uncle Tom's Church. The church was just east of the Methodist church and was built by James Wickersham and given to the Presbyterians. After the Presbyterians quit using the building, Uncle Tom Wilson, having withdrawn from the Methodist church, preached in the building until his death. It was then known as the Congregational Methodist. In later years Arthur Hurst held services there.