Bradley County, Arkansas Church History

A little of the history of some of the Bradley County, Arkansas churches.
The signs and items mentioned are located at the Bradley County Historical Museum
in the Dr. John Wilson Martin House at 200 Ash Street, Warren, AR 71671
(Sorry, but the pictures mentioned were not included with this submission.)

1820 Methodistl

        "Charles Hinton Seay, Circuit Rider, came to Bradley County soon after, and at the urging of his brother-in-law Hugh Bradley (they'd married the Beard sisters).
        Born 1799, Rev. Seay was ordained to Methodist ministry in Tennessee. Traveled Territory on horseback. Exhibited Saddle Bags were his and are more than 150 years old.
        Seay also served in Last Territorial Legislature - 1834 - and as County Judge while still Union.
        First Methodist Church in Bradley County was of hewn logs - located 2 1/2 mi. East of Warren and met twice a month."

1847 Baptist

        "Shady Grove Church at Jersey organized Oct. 2, 1847. One of the first pastors Uriah Parker completed a ten year tenure in 1860. He and several families joined in organizing Antioch Church at Gravelridge which he pastored several years.
        At Shady Grove - the first Baptist Church in Bradley County - ecumenically visiting Baptist one week, Methodist next - which ever had a preacher - was an accepted sharing practice."

1857 Presbyterian

        "Calvary Presbyterian Johnsville
        Presbyterians came to Bradley County from Georgia and the Carolinas and most of them settled at Johnsville where the work of their church was started in 1857. The pastor was Rev. A. L. Crawford."

1858 Presbyterian

        "First Presbyterian Warren organized August 1, 1858.
        Bricks were being made for a church when the Civil War intervened. The Presbyterians continued to meet in the Methodist church building having been invited to do so since Methodists only had preaching two times a month. It was not uintil 1880 that Presbyterians could build their own building on a site N.E. Corner, Main and Church. That building is pictured."

1868 Baptist

        "Trinity Baptist
        Four devout women conceived the idea for organizing a Baptist Church in Warren in 1868. Eight members were required. They were joined by three husbands and a member from Ebenezer.
        First building was located on Old West Bro's site after meeting in the court house for three years.
        The church had the first organ - played by Miss Mollie Wheeles.
        Renamed First Baptist Church - 1930
        Pictured: Second Church Complex Main Street in front of present church."

1907 Episcopel

        "Organized 1907 as St. Mary's, then St. Catherine, then 1909 renamed Holy Cross. The property was purchased for $275 cash by the Protestant Episcopel Diocese of Arkansas.
        Membership dwindles to practically nothing in the early 30's.
        In 1947 the property sold for $6,000 00 to Albert L. Fletcher, Roman Catholic Bishop of Diocese of Little Rock.
        Pictured: Grey Stone Building
        Genesis 28:11-18"

(11. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
12. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
13. And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
14. And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
15. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
16. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
17. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
18. And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.)

1916 Catholic

        Mission Church built on Meek Street in 1916 under guidance of Rev. Matthew Saettle.
        In a sparsely Catholic population the building deteriorated. In 1933 a determined group started restoring the church physically and promoting church program.
        St. Luke's Catholic Church moved to the Pine Street location in 1948 to serve 100 (seating capacity) or aproximately 20 families.
        Pictured: St. Luke's Mission         Rosary
                       Meek Street                 Olive Wood Beads
                      

1919 Pentecostal

        Pentecostal churches were in the county as early as 1908 at Blue Springs. Church was held in Brush Arbors.
        First services in Warren were in D. H. Durham's home in 1918 with Fannie Corbett preaching, assisted by Flora Cargile. They continued to hold services in "Corbett Church" as "Free" Pentecostals into the 30's.
        Warren First Assembly of God became a reality in late fall of 1919 when it was officially set in order by Rev. W. W. Walthall, Supt. AR-LA District Council.
        One year later the "Tabernacle," with sawdust covered dirt floor was built.
        Nazerines joined the congregation and in the late 30's Mrs. Corbett rejoined the church.
        Picture: "Sister" Cargile and her Model "A" Free Pentecostal"

These photographs appear courtesy of Brenda Ezell.