History of the Norman United Methodist Church 

"The church was loved and cherished by many as a vital part of their lives" Mrs. J.D. Montgomery, Feb, 1956.

The Union Church and Sunday School held in the present Presbyterian Church building and was the only church in Womble until the Methodist Episcopal Church South was organized about 1910. The Methodists protestants had been there earlier with Bro. T. Elbert Middleton as preacher. 

In 1912 Rev. G. O. McMillian served his first pastorate in the Methodist Protestant Church at Womble. He lived on the Harrison Collier place on Collier Creek and rode a horse-drawn buggy around the circuit which included Womble, Black Springs and Shockeys Chapel. For his year's work he received $125, most of it in corn and other horse feed, soap, chickens, etc. His first convert, Sid Graves, was won at a union prayer meeting at Liberty Baptist Church. Near the close of the year the Womble Church was host to the Methodist Protestant annual conference in 1912. In 1957 Rev. McMillian was living in Gravette, AR. Info gathered by Rev. Phil Pierce.

The wood-framed church, Womble Methodist Episcopal Church South, was erected on lot No 1. in block 27, on land purchased from the Womble Land and Timber Company August 13, 1912. Stood from 1913 -1954. The deed is recorded at the Montgomery County courthouse in Mt Ida in Record book R, pages 513 & 514. The trustees of the church at that time were: T. J. Ayers, J. W. Graves and N.M. Montgomery with Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Montgomery and family being church members.  On September 6, 1915 the same company deeded lot No. 2 to the church. Book 4, Page 417. Trustees were: J. M. Rowton, J. E. Jordon, J. L. Pinkerton and W. C. Benson. 

Late in 1914 Rev. T. O. Rorie arranged for his brother Paul to hold a revival. It was a wonderful meeting with a large number of conversions. 

"Rev. Hobbs held an outstanding revival in 1917 or 1918 with forty or fifty additions to the church. About half of them wanted to be sprinkled and the others immersed. When they gathered at the river he sprinkled the first row. Then the others changed their minds and all were sprinkled. There was lots of shouting and rejoicing over so many being saved. The morning offering was around $250. Everybody was happy and the church was crowded, with people even in the windows and doors."  Mrs. Anna Kelley Johnson, May 1956

In 1925 the town of Womble was renamed Norman. After the Black Springs Methodist Church was destroyed by a tornado 1925 the members began attending at Norman and the Black Springs property was sold. The Methodist Church was once the largest church in Norman. In 1925 and earlier members included: 
Mr. and Mrs. Jess Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland Kelly and family
Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Crump
Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Howard and family
Mr. and Mrs. A.M. Stafford and family
as well as many others.

In 1954 blocks 27 through 30 in Norman were purchased from Octavia Green and Walter Parkason, deed recorded in Book M, Page 598,  24th July, 1954 Mayor A. R. Story and recorder Itha Hicks. Circuit Clerk, William E. Black recorded the transaction in Book 41, page 356 and 357.  By August 1954 foundations for a new church building were commenced with money raised by donations and after lot of hard work the church was utilized in 1956. Trustees were: A. M. Stafford, Anna K. Johnson, B.A. Riding, Solon E. Sloan, H. A. Jeter and Victor Cox. The Sunday School was organized with Mr. Columbus Welch as its first superintendent.

List complied by Jewell P. Graves Oct, 12, 1996
Pastors and dates served:
1910 L. M. Powell
1912 B. E. Mullins
1913 Jesse Galloway
1913 C.R. Andrews
1914 T. O. Rorie Jr.
1915 L. M. Powell
1917 G. Morrison
1919 A. W. Hamilton
1919 Johnny A. Parker
1923 W. C. Yancy
1924 L. J. Riddling
1925 -26 George E. Rentz
19_ _ F. R. Cranfield
1927 J. R. Harrell
1932 George W. Warren
1934 W. M. Whiteside
1935-36 F. L. Arnold
1937-38 Robert Beasley
1941 K.K. Carithers
1942-45 W.S. Cazort
1947 K.R. Carithers
1949 Bill Watson
1950-55 Osborne White
1955- Phil E. Pierce
Joe W. Hunter
Joe Arnold 1960-62
Late 1960s & early 70s lay speakers
1979-83 Larry Bostoe
1984-86 lay speakers
1986-93 Ralph Hemund
1993 May - June 1996 Chris Hemud
1996- Rev. Hugh F. Shultz

The infrequency of once-a-month and or Sunday afternoon service contributed to the deterioration of the Norman church until Sunday school and then preaching services were suspended.

Information courtesy of the United Methodist Archives, Bailey Library, Hendrix College, Conway. Posted 20 May, 2001. Today, 2001, Gail Cole hold Sunday Worship at the Norman United Methodist Church at 1100.

Montgomery County AR GenWeb Project