Chapter Thirty-One

Marion County Churches

by Mrs. Bernice Johnson

Churches of Christ

Church of Christ in Flippin

Page 502-504

By: Earl Berry

The congregation in Flippin began with a small group of members in 1949 or 1950 who met for worship in the Community Building located on the Flippin School ground. Among the group engaged in the effort to establish the congregation are: Mr. and Mrs. Silas Dean, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Rex McCracken, Garner Jenkins, the Glen Parrott family, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wooten, Ominus Kyle, Mr. and Mrs. Foresee, Charlie, Nellie and Willie Parker, Mrs. Belle Ott and Mrs. Lennie Ott.

This group met for Bible Study and observed the Lord's Supper on each Sunday. They, being few in number and poor in this world's goods, did not have a located minister. Bro. Silas Dean preached on Sunday morning most of the time. Others who preached occasionally were John Dillard, Pierce Adams and Earl Berry. A revival was held in 1950 by Bro. G. W. Toland of Little Rock.

The congregation had a slow but steady growth and in late 1950 or 1951 property was secured for a meeting place located on the Charlie Smith place on Highway 62 East. The building was small but comfortable and the congregation continued to worship at this location for about two years. During this lime a revival was conducted by Pierce Adams and there were a number of additions to the congregation. In 1952 property on Highway 62 near the Glen Parrott place was purchased. This new property had a larger building and more parking space. Several revival meetings were held while the congregations worshipped at this location. Among those who preached in these revivals were: Pierce Adams, John Dillard, and Bro. Hunnecutt. The congregation was strengthened by the addition of a number of younger converts including the Leland Hurst and Elmo Hurst families, Lonnie and Louise Burch, Kirby Holder, Guy McCracken and wife, Claiborne and Elsie Ott, Albert and Jeanette Davis, Doyle Williams and wife and others. Preaching services were held regularly on Sunday morning and evening. Some of the regular preachers were Clarence Adams, John Dillard, Joe Keener and Doyle Davenport. By 1957 the congregation had outgrown its building. Property in town was purchased on which the present building is situated and construction was begun in 1957 under the supervision of Ruey Estes of Yellville. Most of the work was done by members of the congregation and the group began meeting in the new building in late 1957. Doyle Davenport was the minister and served until 1970's when he resigned after serving faithfully for so many years. Much of the growth of this congregation can be attributed to the work and sacrifice of Bro. Davenport who drove from Caney Sunday morning, Sunday evening and again on Wednesday night for midweek services. Often the weather was disagreeable but he would go out of his way to bring someone who had no transportation.

Others who have not been previously mentioned but worshipped and helped the growth of the congregation, many of them now departed, were: Bro and Mrs. Jim Davenport, Ulis Davenport family, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Dillard, Bertie Jones, Ethel Fletcher, Maude Davenport, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Davenport, Ada Moreland, Mr. and Mrs. Thomps Vanzandt, Mr. and Mr. Thomps McCracken, Mr. and Mrs. Ed McCracken, Mr. and Mrs. Othel Coots, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Davenport, Mr. and Mrs. Ron Davenport, Sue Kellog, the Darrell Watson family, the Mac Foresee family, members of the Menard Cox family, the Wayne Hurst family, Mr. and Mrs. Jewell Ott, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Rose-Guy, for many years, was a capable song director-Mrs. and Mrs. Winfred Perry, Mrs. Jim Wilson and Kathryn, Mr. and Mrs. Bell, Mrs. Nelson, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Hurst, Bro. and Mrs. Laskey, Mr. and Mrs. Edd Cook, and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Moore. There were others who were faithful in the service but I cannot recall the names. There are several younger people who are worshipping at this congregation now whom I do not know, but, these along with the older members, are dedicated and the congregation is alive and growing.

As mentioned earlier, Doyle Davenport served as minister for a number of years. After his resignation, Bud Brandon labored as minister for a year before accepting work elsewhere. Bro. Ruel McCutcheon began work following Bro. Brandon. He still serves as minister and is doing a good work. Revival meetings are held almost every year. Among the evangelists who have held meetings at this location are: Rue Porter, now deceased; Pierce Adams; Tom Smith; Bro. McFarland; Gobel Music; Don Smith; Bro. Daniels; Jimmie Roy Adams and Bro Stewart. There were, perhaps, others whose names cannot be recalled.