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This card is 100 years old! The Methodist Church pictured in Searcy Arkansas is even older.

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

Found on ebay!  This old card is great and shows two churches in Searcy Arkansas in approximately 1909 when the card was postmarked.

The First Methodist Church on the right has been cherished, pampered, and its historical value perpetuated.  Alas, the one on the left, assumed by me to be First Baptist Church, has been torn down and a new church built.  First Methodist, I believe, dates back to somewhere around 1875 and is located at 304 N Main Street.  Perhaps my historians will finish the dates for me.

First Methodist has added on, spread out, and grown but has always kept the look that you see on the card. I feel like bragging about it right now on this blog!

First Methodist Church Searcy AR

In case you wonder, I paid $5 for the card on ebay........a high price to pay for 100 year old paper!

First Methodist Church Searcy AR

The First Methodist Church of Searcy Arkansas today.  See other Methodist Church blogs below.

 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1474486/searcy-arkansas-c-1930-pershing-service-station-and-first-methodist-church-and-a-wrecked-car-

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1434127/first-methodist-church-searcy-ar-gets-a-steeple-lift-or-a-face-lift-

http://activerain.com/blogsview/673494/searcy-landmark-old-and-now-first-methodist-church-searcy-arkansas

http://activerain.com/blogsview/608008/revised-blog-showing-arch-steet-searcy-ar-yesteryear-and-in-2006-

 

Show All Comments
Rita Fong
RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 - Marion, AR
Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale

Barbara, the church still looks the same as of 100 years ago, it is a beautiful architecture.

Aug 12, 2010 02:36 PM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Rita, it's amazing that it has been maintained so well.

Aug 12, 2010 03:29 PM
Charles Edwards Bentonville
Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette 479-253-3796 - Bentonville, AR
AR REALTOR, Bentonville Real Estate Agent and Broker

Good work Barbara. What a treasure for Searcy to enjoy. What is the oldest structure in Searcy?

Aug 13, 2010 12:11 AM
Anonymous
Anita Fuller

I would imagine all the Baptists (lst Baptists, that is) will be jumping for joy to see this picture.  It certainly isn't the same church my buddies attended in the 40s and 50's.   Might you stop by the church office some time and show them the picture?  I'd be interested to know if they have one this old in their possession.

 

As to lst Methodist ("my' church)..I have always thought this was one of the most beautiful small churches in the world.  I am so proud that it has remained the same, basically, since it was built...esp. with all the renovations, remodeling, and new buildings going up all around it.

Maybe it was early 50's....lst Methodist had chimes that rang and played recognizable hymns heard all over Searcy at noon every day.  I certainly heard them loud and clear at l008 W. Arch.  I recall there were "discussions" of this among some of the other denominations. They would make what they thought were "funny" remarks.  I remember mother and daddy and their friends discussing this.  Maybe some of your Searcy historians will remember, too.

Aug 13, 2010 02:33 AM
#5
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

Love it! How come I never find anything cool on eBay? That's just not fair.

Aug 13, 2010 08:26 AM
Anonymous
Harold Gene Sullivan

I remember the "chimes" from the Methodist Church.  One could hear them everywhere in town.  I don't remember any controversy, however. 

I remember the bishop, when preaching one time, said that the 1st Methodist Church, Searcy was one of the few churches that was large enough to actually seat all the congregation at one time.  Don't know why that stuck with me.  It was large enough that the Annual Conference was held there more than once.

One change I always thought was negative was made in the mid-60s, as I recall.  The beautiful dark, centered pulpit and chancel was taken out and replaced with very light colored wood and side pulpit.  The new look in the sanctuary just didn't fit the rest of the decor. 

I wish someone would take a look at the stained glass just above the front door and see if it still says "Methodist Church, South".  With everything having to be PC these days, I figure it must have been replaced.

Aug 13, 2010 09:20 AM
#7
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Godmother,

I shall pray for you to have more good luck.

Godson, the monk

Aug 13, 2010 09:55 AM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Charles, I'd have to get out the history book to see what the oldest structure in Searcy is.  That may be another blog!

Anita, you're not going to believe this but that church bell still rings.  I was downtown two times last week and the bell was ringing.  Above the traffic it is harder to hear but it is still set to ding, dong, or chime, or whatever you musicians would call it.  I was amazed!  I'm sure the Baptists have all kinds of historical pictures in their building.

Russel, you need to set up your searches so that whatever you want will be sent to you by email and you can buy or ignore. 

Harold Gene, note what I said to Anita about the bells still chiming!!  Today.  I don't know if it is everyday at a certain time but I definitely heard them twice lately.  I swear I'm going to risk getting run over to check that door and see if it says that.  What do you mean with everything being PC these days?  I'm slow and don't know what that means.

Monkson Nutsy, your prayers are appreciated and reciprocated.

 

Aug 13, 2010 02:24 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Barbara - Searcy, Arkansas is very lucky to have you acting as a great historian for the area.  The pictures you post are invaluble to the community.

Aug 14, 2010 09:15 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

And I am very pleased that you are my Godmother too.

Nutsy

Aug 14, 2010 03:13 PM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Myrl Jeffcoat and Nutsy Monkcoat, thanks so much for your comments and compliments!!  : )

Aug 15, 2010 02:03 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Barbara,

Even if he was not in your will, as the main heir, Nutsy would still support you to the max.

Aug 15, 2010 04:44 AM
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