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Park Avenue Baptist Church, Searcy AR. Their first building?

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

I stumbled upon a lot of old, old pictures and here's one that has information written on the back that says, "Park Ave's first bldg.  Z L Fraser, George Pierce."  They are referring to the Park Avenue Baptist Church in Searcy AR.  Evidently, they started out in a house?  Does anyone remember this house?  We posted a blog with other buildings of the church.  And we posted a blog with Z L Fraser and his future wife in pictures of them "horsin' around" on a possible outing.

Z L Fraser, Park Ave Baptist Church, Searcy AR

Look at the pattern of the brick on the sidewalk with it slightly raised in the center.  Lots of doorsteps were then made of wood.  And what is that thing above the door? Awindow a/c? 

In this picture Super Sleuth Mary Dunn says that the man on the left is her Uncle Z L and she points out that he now sports a mustache which indicates he was older than in the photos in the first blog showing Marguerite (future wife) and himself.  The man on the right is George Pierce who was one of the original pastors of the church.  Mary Dunn says, "Doesn't look as if Brother Pierce's hair was as white as I recall.  I was pretty sure Park Avenue Church people met first in a house but I don't remember anything about the structure."  In a later email she says a friend of hers thinks the house originally stood where the church now stands.  Perhaps someone with church history can tell us for sure.

Whether we identify the house or not, it is still a great old picture with Searcy history pictured.

Revision:  We are adding a Sleuth, Paula Mulherin, who has given us a picture of the entire house!

East Park Ave Searcy AR first church building.

And the two men are standing in front!!  Paula, this is a great find and contribution to this blog!!  Thanks.

Comments (14)

Anonymous
Mary Dunn

I looked through the 1940 census and found that the property at 211 east Park was owned at that time by a Nancy Pettus, a widow and occupied by Mrs Pettus and her daughter and son-in-law, Lois and George Chamberlin. That would be the property where Park Avenue Church now stands. Of course, the picture above wouldn't have been taken until 1950 or so and it could have changed hands by then.

I don't remember the house at all. What I do remember is that the Dairy Queen was directly across the street and if you had a few coins you could have a treat after Sunday night services.

As for the "box" above the door it is likely a cooling system of some sort. that's the sort of thing for Don Thompson.

Sep 13, 2014 01:45 AM
#1
Anonymous
Mary Dunn

Incidentally, you have blogged about the house on the corner West of the Church, the Dictionary, occupied by the Word family and the property across the street East. I believe the property to the East have recently been demolished.

Sep 13, 2014 01:48 AM
#2
Don Thompson
Donthomp Associates - Sunnyvale, CA

Mary's pulling my chain again and reaching me all the way in Issiquah, WA at the Sullivans.

I think that's probably a swamp cooler with water pumped through it and a fan blowing cooling air into the church.

Sep 13, 2014 06:19 AM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Mary, I looked up the Word house and the one beside the original Duncan's Car Lot to see if the houses looked like this one.  They didn't.  Dairy Queen was a true delight.  I liked the soft ice cream cones.  Don has told us what he thinks the cooler was just as you predicted he could.  He does travel around a lot!

Don, you have to remain reachable.  We need you often. 

Sep 13, 2014 06:55 AM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Please look at the blog again.  Paula Mulherin has found a picture of the house with the men standing in front.  It's a great find!!  Thanks, Paula.

Sep 14, 2014 12:07 AM
Anonymous
Mary Dunn

I saw Paula Mulherin's facebook post. It's a really great view of the house, even show part of the back. I think the one you show above is a cropped version or maybe they are two pictures taken at the same moment by different cameras.

Don, I don't pull chains. I just expect people to fulfill their responsibilities.

Sep 14, 2014 12:56 AM
#6
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Barbaraa,

I love historic posts about an area.  You show your knowledge of love of Searcy, AR!  

Sep 14, 2014 09:47 AM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Judy, thanks for stopping by.

Sep 14, 2014 10:04 PM
Anonymous
Anita Fuller

I have no clue as to where this house was BUT......it is very similar to the Richard Deener house, 306 E. Center........

Don is out of the country for a few days (Canada).....but I'm sure he and Harold Gene will be giving us a schematic drawing of that cooling system as soon as they can. I do wish someone would find out exactly where this house is (was)....

Sep 14, 2014 10:44 PM
#9
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Anita, I have talked to the minister and the house was where the present church is now.  You went back and saw the full house picture, didn't you?  We have a new sleuth who provided it.

Sep 14, 2014 11:12 PM
Anonymous
Mary Dunn

Anita, the address is 211 East Park. It is on the East end of the block where the Word house was on the West end.

Sep 15, 2014 03:17 AM
#11
Anonymous
Anita Fuller

Mary: in my l957 phone book, Mrs. W.E. Word is listed at 211 E. Park Phone 527.

Sep 15, 2014 09:13 AM
#12
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Work it out, Super Sleuths Mary and Anita.  I love the picture that was added.

Sep 15, 2014 10:27 AM
Anonymous
Anita Fuller

Mary: I answered your email questions but it wouldn't "go". Wait until my daughter gets us and I'll see if she can figure out why. I had your exact email address.

Sep 16, 2014 01:58 AM
#14