Chapter Thirty-One

Marion County Churches

by Mrs. Bernice Johnson

Baptist Churches

Flippin Baptist Church

Bull Shoals Baptist Church

Page 487-488

Information by Glen H Hicks

Bull Shoals Baptist Church

The First Baptist Church of Bull Shoals was started November 1, 1959, as a mission from the First Baptist Church of Flippin, under the leadership of pastor Howard H. King. In 1971, under the sponsorship of Calvary Baptist Church of North Little Rock, Brother Howard King returned as pastor. On September 28, 1973, the mission was constituted a church. A lovely pastor's home has been built and the church extends a friendly welcome to one and all who come to worship. Written by Howard King, Pastor.

Flippin Baptist Church

In the outset let us give credit to Dr. H. D. Morton for the bulk of the material in this report. The years 1883-1951 are taken from his book, A History of White River Baptist Association of Arkansas

Flippin - Rehoboth - 1875-1976 - Marion County. The earliest reference to Rehoboth church in available minutes was in 1883 as follows: "Rehoboth church not represented." Minutes for 1884 give J. H. Parmer as pastor; F. Williams as messenger; membership 13. Report to Association in 1891 gives A. Johnson as pastor, P. D. Beavers as clerk, John Burch as messenger and a membership of 69. Minutes for 1894 give date of organization as 1885. However, from the reference above from minutes of 1883, we must conclude the church was organized and a member of the Association as early as 1882 or earlier. The late Brother E. B. Wood said that the church was organized about 1875 under the leadership of Elder Stephenson who lived near Marshall, Searcy County, and preached at the home of John M. Hurst, some two miles south of Flippin where the church was organized and worship was held for about two years. Later a school house was built and the congregation used this building for several years. About 1893 the church, known from organization by the name of Rehoboth, moved its meeting place to schoolhouse No. 1, about two miles east of Flippin. After the railroad came in 1903, a union church building was erected at Flippin and used by the Baptists and two other denominations existing at that time. The Baptists erected a frame building about 1906, according to Brother Wood.

Minutes of 1895 report a charge was brought against the pastor, J. H. Parmer, for baptizing candidates for baptism into the membership of the Methodist church because the Methodist pastor was absent from a previously announced baptizing where both Baptist and Methodist pastors were to administer the ordinance of baptism. A committee was appointed by the church and the pastor and they asked Brother Parmer to acknowledge his wrong and to ask for forgiveness. Brother J. H. Marler of Pilgrim's Rest, the oldest preacher in the Association, says he was a member of the committee that visited the Rehoboth Church and that when the church and pastor met with the committee the pastor replied to the request of the committee as follows: "I will never acknowledge I have done wrong." The church took no action at the time. However, in the minutes of 1896 we find the following: "Report of the committee appointed by the last Association to investigate the supposed trouble in the Rehoboth church was made and is as follows: 'We are credibly informed by the brethren of Rehoboth Church that reconciliation is made in said church. Elders W. A. Collis and W. D. White." Brother Marler states he had nothing to do with and knew nothing of this report. As his name does not appear in the 1896 minutes on any committee, or otherwise, it is believed he was not present.

Other pastors of the early organization were J. B. Perkins - 1889; C. H. Mayfield - 1890; J. T. Hand - 1892; W. D. Jennings - 1894; J. A. Harrelson - 1896-1897; J. H. Marler - 1898, 1902. The membership in 1902 was 30. After this date the only reference to a Baptist Church at Flippin until 1945 was in the minutes of 1922. The minutes read: "At this time Rev. S. D. Anderson, pastor at Flippin, was given a few minutes to represent the Arkansas Baptist." The late Brother Eugene Horton of Lone Rock suggested that the earlier Rehoboth church ceased to function and that later a church was organized at Flippin under the same name and including some members of the original Rehoboth church. So, according to Bro. Horton, there were two distinct organizations known by the same name.

For many years there was no active organized Baptist work at Flippin. Much credit for renewed interest is due to Mrs. Clyde Johnson, who did door-to-door visitation which led to the starting of a Baptist Sunday School with 68 present the first Sunday. With the cooperation of Bro. Compere - pastor at Cotter, Bro. Crigler - the Associational Missionary, and the State Baptist workers, a new church was organized in 1945 with 27 members-all of whom have cooperated in developing a strong church. This new organization has made unusual growth in membership. In 1948 the new membership by baptism was 54; the total membership was 128. In 1950 the church received by baptism - 60; in 1952 - 30; the total membership was 232 which made Flippin Church the third in membership in the association. The membership reached 251 in 1953. This made Flippin the second largest church in membership.

Pastors since 1945 are: W. B. O'Neal - 1946; E. M. Kreis - January 1, 1947 until December 31, 1948; S. Wilkerson-July 1,1949 until September 1, 1949; Byron King - September 1, 1949 until June 17, 1951; Albert Gaston 1951-1954. At that time P. 0. Harrington became pastor and stayed until 1958 or 1959. The 1959 minutes are missing and we don't know the exact date, but the 1960 minutes show Howard King as pastor. In 1962 S. D. Hacker was called. He served until 1964. Bro. Hacker became the Associational Missionary and the church called Bro. Howard King for the second time. In 1965, when the present sancutary was completed-featuring high ceiling, open beams and a seating capacity of 200-Bro. King continued to serve until June 1971. In July the Church called Glen Hicks who presently serves as pastor. We believe this church has an opportunity for ministry until the Lord returns.

- Information by Glen H. Hicks