About Us

Listing of artifacts:
<03/28/2007 02:01 PM >
Room Listing
Chapel Room Office Plate Room Wesley Room	PDF File of Museum Tour Word File of Museum Tour
Chapel
4-93 Portrait Reverend Andrew Gray Andrew Gray was the founder of Gray’s Chapel Church near Cave City, a Methodist Protestant Church. He was born Dec. 16, 1812, and died May 16, 1897. He is buried at Gray’s Chapel North of Batesville, AR. Reverend Gray’s father was Gilbert Gray who came to America from Paris, France after the Revolutionary War. He met Jane Wilburn (?); they married and lived in Charleston, South Carolina then later moved to Guilford County, North Carolina. They had five boys and two girls. One son, Alson Gray, was one of the first organizers of the Methodist Protestant Church. He was the founder of Gray’s Chapel (forerunner of Duke University). Alson Gray preached from age 22 until age of 80 years old John Worth (9) Gray, brother to Alson and Andrew also was a Methodist Protestant Minister --Circuit Rider - - and also practiced medicine. Andrew married twice 1. Mary Gray b.Jan.23, 1817 d. Dec. 4, 1862, buried Barnett Cemetery, North West of Batesville, AR 2. Rebecca Martin b. in Indiana 1816, buried at Gray’s Chapel North of Batesville. AR Andrew built Gray’s Chapel which burned in early 1997. This picture of Andrew Gray was taken from the original owned by great grandson Thomas Andrew Woodyard of Batesville, AR. It was given to him by Andrew’s grand daughter, Pearl Woodyard in 1969. (Information provided by Mrs. T.A. Woodyard. November 2, 1993). The portrait was donated to the museum by Tom and Mary Kay Woodyard of Batesville.
	5-92 Pulpit, Gray’s Chapel Methodist Church This handmade pulpit was used in Gray’s Chapel Church located between Batesville and Cave City, now abandoned. The pulpit was donated by the Reverend Jim Beal (see additional information about Gray’s Chapel under 4-93)
6-94 Pulpit Bible This 1841 Bible is a gift of Mrs. 0lajean Wood-Swafford of Gravelly, Arkansas. The Bible was used by her great-grandfather, Samuel Martin, a Methodist Minister. The Bible was published by G. Lane and P. P. Sandford, New York, for the Methodist Episcopal Church. The printer was James Collard.
	10-88 Pew (section) Wideman Methodist Church. This pew section is from the Wideman Methodist Church in Izard County (now abandoned). The pew recalls a time when men and women did not sit together in the church sanctuary. In 1985 Reverend Jim Beal visited the abandoned church and secured the divided pew for the museum.
8-92 Pew Lafferty Methodist Episcopal Church in Batesville. The Lafferty Methodist Episcopal Church was a former Northern Methodist Church.
	9-79 Pew Old Mount Zion Methodist Church This pew dates from approximately 1846. It is from the Old Mount Zion Church near Wynne, Arkansas, where in 1870 the White River Annual Conference was organized. The Church building no longer exists. The pews were put into the Vanndale Church. The women of that church restored the pew and donated it to the museum in 1979.
105-98 Cedar Cross Point Cedar United Methodist Church, Arkadelphia District. Given by Norma Blanton.
	110-98 Metal Sign Evening Worship Services. Used c. 1930- 1940. Given by First United Methodist Church. Little Rock.
Church Attendance Register Board on wall (Property of Asbury UMC, Batesville)
	12-97 Preaching Coat This pulpit suit was used by Dr. Virgil Morris who served as a Methodist Minister in the Arkansas and Louisiana Conferences and as Secretary of the South Central Jurisdiction. This suit was donated by Florence Morris Lull
125-99 Organ Given by Sam and Martha Sowell
	134-00 Stained Glass Window Fountain Lake United Methodist Church in Garland County. Given by John P. Gill and his wife, Marjem Gill
Back to Top
Office

	113-98 Lamp Gray's Chapel
121-99 Quilt. Given by Elizabeth Armstrong.
	47-93 Photograph Honorable George Thornburgh George Thornburgh was a prominent lay person in Little Rock Methodism. The picture was donated to the museum in 1993 by Mrs. Thomas T. Ramsey (later Mrs. Austin McCaskill). George Thornburgh was born in Havana, Mason County, Illinois on January. 25, 1847 and died in 1923. His parents were Eli arid Elizabeth Thomas Thornburgh. He moved to Smithville, Arkansas in December 1855. He began the study of law in 1867 with Col. Baber and then in the law department of the Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee. He was licensed to practice by Judge (afterward, Governor) Baxter, and had charge of the circuit clerk’s office from 1868 -1870. In June 1873 he moved to Powhaten and began practice of law with Col. Baber. George married Margaret Caroline (Carrie) Self daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J.M. Self in 1868. They had three daughters: Margaret Elizabeth who married Dr. J. M. Workman, George Edna who died in a fire at Galloway College at age 20, and Eva. They had an adopted son Henry Sloan. After Carrie’s death in 1899. George married Lucibelle Green. At the age of 16 George enlisted in the Confederate Army, and fought in two baffles in the War Between the States and later was Adjutant General of his Post of the United Confederate Veterans for many years. Before he was twenty-four years old, Mr. Thornburgh was a member of the Arkansas Legislature. He served three terms, and before he retired from politics he was Speaker of the House. At the time of the famous Brooks-Baxter War, he was commissioned as a Colonel in the state Militia; that title was accorded him for the rest of his life. Mr. Thornburgh was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. South. at Powhatan, then later at First Methodist and Winfield Memorial Methodist in Little Rock. He served as Steward and Sunday School teacher and Superintendent for many years. He was the only layman in the Southern Methodist Church to serve as secretary of an annual conference, and had the honor of being the author of the system of reports used throughout the church. He did pioneer work for the Methodist Orphanage. In 1899 he was Business Manager of Arkansas Methodist Col. Thornburgh was made a Mason, in Smithville Lodge No. 29 in 1868 and was a member in lodges at Powhaten, Walnut Ridge, and Little Rock. He was secretary of the Masonic Convention in 1873 and elected Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge in 1874. In July 1866 he founded the Masonic Trowel a paper devoted exclusively to Masonry and later edited the Masonic Monitor. At the age of 31 he was Grand Master of Masons in Arkansas. the youngest in state history. In 1911 he was named Knight Commander of the Court of Honor and in 1913 was made a 33 Degree Mason. Also in 1891 he was a charter member of the Esther Chapter of Eastern Star and the only Worthy Grand Patron in the jurisdiction before it was discontinued. Mr. Thornburgh was a strong temperance advocate, supporter of the free school system and a conservative but straight Democrat. He was a leader and state president of the Anti-Saloon League. In the newspaper fraternity he was selected as orator of the year and vice-president. He perhaps delivered more addresses on Sunday School Masonic and miscellaneous occasions than any other man in North Arkansas. He also was superintendent of the Arkansas School for the Blind. Dr. K. D. Adams in a tribute to the memory of Colonel George Thornburgh said "Many people remember this good man, not as a public servant and officer, but as a devout Christian and Churchman."
86-97 Church Bell Gray’s Chapel Given by Phil Brewer, this Bell served the Gray’s Chapel congregation through much of the life of the church. When the church became inactive, the bell was moved to Bertha Phillips home (Mr. Brewer’s grandmother). The Phillips family are descendants of Andrew Gray.
	104-98 Pulpit Point Cedar United Methodist Church, Arkadelphia District. Made in 1902, the pulpit was given by Norma Blanton.
120-99 Cornerstone from Silverina Methodist Church Donated by Reverend James Kirkwood. this cornerstone is from the Silverina ME Church. South (near Texarkana, Arkansas). It is inscribed ‘with the name of the church. Francis N. Brewer, Pastor; the building committee: J. P. Stockton. W. T. Stockton, W. P. Akin, J. F. Hanna, J. E. Bellew; Erected 1920.
	30-95 Raised Letter Bible Old and New Testament, Vol. II; published in 1871 by the New York American Bible Society, 1816. Two inscriptions read, "Given to David by PaPa December 14. 1953". This book is 81 years old and belonged to my father’s Aunt Berline, who was blind. My age 13. The end.? "I found it in an old house while out looking for a crismas [sic] tree with PaPa"
13-96 Mourner’s Bench Ebenezer Methodist Church This bench is dated 1892 and was originally from Ebenezer Methodist Church (now closed) in Clay County. near Rector. Arkansas, Jonesboro District . The Mourner’s bench usually sat on the side of the sanctuary against the wall but during revivals or protracted meetings it would be brought down to the front of the church. Reverend Arvill Brannon knelt at this bench to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Wayne Clark donated the Bench to the museum.
	117-99 Portrait of Andrew Hunter, pioneer Methodist pastor Given by Robert and Irene Field
139-04 Painting of Brush Arbor Meeting Given by Jim and Mauzel Beal
	140-04 UMCOR Banner
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE IN THE DISPLAY CASE IN THE OFFICE:
15-94 Medallion Commemorative This medallion was given to participants at the World Council of Churches held in Evanston, Illinois in 1954 and was donated to the museum by Reverend Jim Beal
	54-94 Slate From the steeple of 15th and Center Street ME Episcopal Church South. A piece of slate from the steeple of the Fifteenth and Center Memorial Street Methodist Episcopal Church South. This church later became Winfield Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, South. That congregation later moved to the church at Sixteenth and Louisiana.
16-95 Flooring section A section of floor from the building where, in 1836, the Arkansas Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized. Bishop Thomas A. Morrs presiding. Please see item 39, which is a photograph of the original building located at Main and Broad Streets in Batesville. Arkansas. Secured by Reverend J. J. Galloway in 1918 when the old building was torn down, this floor section was donated by Dr. R. E. L. Bearden. A gavel was made from the same piece of wood.
	18-94 Deaconess Hat, Leota Kruger This deaconess hat was worn by Leota Kruger, a Methodist Deaconess from Searcy, Arkansas, in her work in White County and was donated to the museum by Iris Hightower. Ms. Kruger served as a Deaconess at First Church in Searcy and at the Wesley Community Center in Memphis, Tennessee.
20-93 Communion Cup This communion cup was used in the communion service in the 1968 Uniting Conference in Dallas, Texas, when the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church became the United Methodist Church. Reverend Ewing Wayland was present for that service and supped from this cup. The cup was donated by Dr. Wayland in June, 1993, at a session of the North Arkansas Annual Conference. Dr. Wayland had just finished giving the report as part of the 25th anniversary celebration ___ Communion Sets donated by Joel and Bill Cooper One was made by Dr. Cooper’s father and the other came out of the now closed Wilford UMC.
	142-05 Communion Cup Holder, 1920 made by Rev. W. E. Cooper, and donated by Rev. and Mrs Joel Cooper of Conway
143-05 Communion Cup Holder, Willeford UMC, and donated by Rev. and Mrs. Joel Cooper of Conway
	145-05 Sunday School Attendance Pin Given by Mrs. Liza Godwin
21-95 a, b, c, Banks These two banks are from Thompson Memorial United Methodist Church in Hartman, Arkansas. They are the style used to collect funds for the Superannuate Endowment for retired clergy in the former Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The banks are inscribed on one side as being from the Fidelity Bank, for the deposit of contributions to aid the contributors? charge in paying its approved quota for Superannuate Endowment, supplied by the Board of Finance of the M.E. Church. South. Security Bldg. St. Louis, Mo. On the other side of the bank there is the following quote: "When the one Great Scorer comes to write against your name. He writes not that you won or lost but how you played the game"
	132-01 Communion Cups. Old Methodist Church at Clinton. Arkansas. Given by the Reverend Ben Jordan.
135-01 Bishop’s Carrying Case, Bishop W. C. Martin Given by Mrs. Donald Martin.
	31-95 Class Ticket Wesleyan Methodist Society,1887. Members of the society had to have a ticket before they could receive communion, indicating they were members in good standing.
32-95 Trophy A trophy from the Hendrix Summer School for Ministers in the early 1920's. The district having the most ministers present for the summer school got its name inscribed on the cup each year. One side of the cup is inscribed Hendrix Summer School for Ministers Awarded to Presiding Elders Districts Making Best Attendance Record. On the opposite side is inscribed: 1920- Jonesboro District 1921 - Fort Smith District 1922 - Conway District 1923 - Batesville District .
	41-95 Grave Marker / Circuit Rider Medallion These markers are placed on the gravestones of deceased Methodist Clergy
114-98 Collection of Jewelry Collection of jewelry from Korea and the Philippines. Given by Nellie Dye, missionary.
	99-97 Receipt sent by P. E. Cooley to Leon Taylor in 1953 Mr. Cooley of Blytheville was the long time treasurer of the North Arkansas Conference.
27-78 Charred Timber, Eli Lindsey’s cabin Charred timber from the remains of the cabin of Reverend Eli Lindsey, built in 1815. Reverend Eli Lindsey was the first Methodist preacher assigned to Arkansas. He was appointed to the Spring River Circuit in 1815. The Spring River Circuit ran from the Little Red River to Missouri. There were no church buildings at the time. Reverend Lindsey was born about 1797 in Rutherford County, North Carolina. He died on May 2, 1834 on Fourche Le Faive in Conway County. He served the Spring River Circuit from his cabin near the Strawberry River in Western Lawrence County. There being no Methodist Church buildings he traveled and preached in the cabins of the members and in his own cabin. The Eli Lindsey Memorial United Methodist Church in Jessup. Arkansas (Western Lawrence County) is named for him. The church is only a couple of miles from the site of his log cabin.
	28-94 Altar Cloth These communion cloths were given by Mrs. Marion W. Fritz of St Louis, Missouri. They were handmade (probably on a loom) and stitched by her grandmother. Jane McSwain Phillips in the late 1800's and used into the early 20th century by the First Methodist Church of Prescott. Mrs. Phillips was a sister to the late Reverend Charles Douglas McSwain, a former Presiding Elder in the Little Rock Conference.
29-94 Nameplate The nameplate used by Dr. O.E. Goddard at the Uniting Conference in Kansas City in 1939. He was a delegate from the North Arkansas Conference to that conference when the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Protestant Church united to form the United Methodist Church. Oscar E. Goddard was a Presiding Elder, pastor, writer. He wrote the Sunday School lessons in the Arkansas Methodist for many years. He retired to Conway, Arkansas and became blind. Goddard Memorial Methodist Church in Ft. Smith bears his name.
	151-06 Commemorative Plate, Bicentennial of Methodism in America, 1766-1966 Donor: Nancy Britton
152-06 Commemorative Pitcher, First Methodist Church, Jonesboro, AR Donor: Nancy Britton
Back to Top
Plate Room
RIGHT ENTRANCE WALL
50-99 Friendship Quilt (on Quilt Rack) Given by Elizabeth Armstrong
	2-95 Quilt Friendship style quilt made in 1957 and presented to Fred L. and Willie Belle Arnold by the Hunter United Methodist Church in Little Rock. Reverend and Mrs. Arnold had served the church, then located on McAlmont Street, across from MacArthur Park, for eight years and were being appointed to the church in DeQueen. Arkansas. The quilt has the names of some still living charter members of that time, some active members of the day, some former ministers, and the newly appointed minister, Reverend Everett M. Vinson. The quilt is loaned to the Museum by the Reverend Fred L. Arnold, and Reverend and Mrs. Joe E. Arnold.
LEFT ENTRANCE WALL
48-98 Mimeograph Machine Donated by Reverend Vernon Paysinger. This mimeograph machine was of a type used in virtually all churches and schools until replaced by the much more convenient photocopying machines.
	49-96 Antique Projector with Glass Slides and script on the Life of John Wesley Made prior to 1939, the script and slides were produced and distributed by the Department of Visual Education, The Benevolence Boards, Methodist Episcopal Church. in Chicago, Illinois. The projector and slide set was donated to (he museum by Reverend Hillrnan Byram it was given to Reverend Byram in 1966 by C. J. Holifield. PLEASE DO NOT HANDLE THE SLIDES
In Corner
144-05 Cornerstone of the Centerview Methodist Church
	109-98 Plaque From former Methodist Center, 18th at Broadway, Little Rock. The Center was at this location from 1956 to 1971
LEFT WALL AND CENTER WALL (LEFT)
56-94 Commemorative Plate Collection, Arkansas Churches A collection of Arkansas church commemorative plates begun by the United Methodist Museum of Arkansas. Is your church represented here?
CENTER WALL
48-95 Wooden Cross A Wooden Cross from the Salem Church in Yell County. The cross was created and given to the church in 1970 by Charles G. Forrest (1910 -1995). The cross was donated by the Salem Cemetery Association (Gary Don Spencer, chairman, and Kathleen S. Bell, chairman of the Conway District Board of Trustees) May 1, 1995.
	119-99 A small stand (Tabouret) used in worship Given by Dorothy Wimble.
35-90 Baptismal Font The baptismal font from the old Fifth Street Church, St Marks, in Fort Smith, Arkansas was given by Iris (Mrs. Bedwell) Hightower.
	80-95 Lectern Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church, Little Rock.
CENTER WALL (right Side)
Continuation of Plate Collection
CENTER OF ROOM
33-94 Hayes Family Bible Family Bible of the T.W. Hayes family, Mineral Springs, Arkansas.
	112-98 Red Pulpit From Wesley United Methodist Church near Morrilton. Reverend Jim Beal.
129-00 Pulpit Bible Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, Fort Smith. John A. Hertel Company,1936, International Sunday School League of Chicago. Given by Iris Hightower.
	3-94 Green Pulpit
54-95 Registration Book, 1988 Sesquicentennial Conference The registration book from the sesquicentennial conference held in Batesville, Arkansas, November 8, 1986 (Richard B. Wilke, Bishop, Arkansas Area, United Methodist Church). The Sesquicentennial Symbol on the front cover was designed by Carole Harrison and Starr Kent; the art work was executed by Melissa Britton of New York City. All three are members of the First United Methodist Church, Batesville.
	111-98 Rocking Chair Used in the Golden Cross (Methodist) Hospital in Hot Springs (1943 -1949). Reverend Jim Beal.
55-95 Book of Recognition. Esther Case Scarritt Scholarship Fund. Each page which is inscribed in the Book of Recognition represents one hundred dollars given to the Esther Case Scarritt Scholarship Fund of the Woman’s Society of Christian Service (North Arkansas Conference). The fund was begun in 1943 and completed in 1945; editor and compiler of the Book of Recognition was Eleanor Mill Esther Case (1868-1932) was a missionary in the service of the church for thirty-six years.
RIGHT WALL

Glass Display Case
	The Glass Display Case contains various Memorabilia items
In Black Shelf
17-94 Memorabilia Edith Martin, Missionary to Africa This grass mat and carved wooden cross are memorabilia from Edith Martin, a long-time missionary to Africa.
	138-00 Haitian carved figure. Acquired during mission trip and given by Rev. Jim Beal
52-95 Model Old Washington Church, Hempstead County This Model of the first Methodist Church built in Arkansas at Washington was made by Chad Teetzen for a project in his 1993 Arkansas History class at Woods Elementary School in Fort Smith. Chad had some help from his father, Ken Teetzen. and a neighbor. Larry Simpson. They made a trip to Washington to check on details and dimensions. They also had a photograph. Washington is on a three-point charge in the Hope district. The Washington Church Model was exhibited at Goddard United Methodist Church in Fort Smith. where the Teetzen family are members.
On Wall
	44-95 Window Section Given by Herschell and Mardell McClurkin, this window section is from the Cypress Valley Methodist Church near Vilonia. The Cypress Valley church. which is the mother church of the Vilonia church, was organized in 1859 with five charter members. This organization built a log church which was also used for a school house. The present building from which this section comes was built in 1870.
79-95 Marker McArthur Drive Church in Jacksonville, Arkansas,1972.
	45-95 a,b Meyer’s Ranch and Nawake Signs Given by Reverend Jim Beal. These signs were made by the Corps of Engineers to designate the retreat center property of the North Arkansas Conference in southwest Stone County. The name was changed to Nawake in 1970 and changed again in 1995 to Mount Eagle Christian Center.
109-98 Plaque From former Methodist Center. 18th at Broadway, Little Rock. The Center was at this location from 1956 to 1971.
	58-94 Slate, from steeple of 15th and Center Street ME Episcopal Church South A piece of slate from the steeple of the Fifteenth and Center Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South. This church later became Winfield Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, South. That congregation later moved to the church at Sixteenth and Louisiana.
95-96 Commemorative Tile: United Methodist Church, McCrory. Arkansas.
	96-96 Commemorative Tile: Winfleld United Methodist Church, Little Rock.
127-00 Commemorative Tile, from the Batesville District, 1986 Given by Reverend Jim Beal.
	74-95 Commemorative Tile Nettleton United Methodist Church in Jonesboro, 1956.
75-95 Plaque Lunsford Church, Rural Church of the Year, 1982-63 (now closed).
Back to Top
Wesley Room
CENTER WALL
14-94 Portrait Reverend John Wesley John Wesley was the founder of the Methodist Movement. He was a clergy in the Anglican Church in Great Britain. This portrait was donated to the museum by Kathryn (Mrs. James) Rice. It was purchased by Mrs. Rice in Hot Springs and refrarmed in the original frame using conservation materials.
	53-95 Print, John Wesley This portrait of John Wesley commemorates the Bi-centennial of the Aldersgate experience (1738 - 1938).
Items in Glass Display Case
102-98 Busts (3) John Wesley. Charles Wesley, Susannah Wesley. Given by Reverend and Mrs. James E. Christie. These busts are by new York sculptor Lester Murphy. Murphy’s great-great-grandfather was a friend of Bishop Francis Asbury. The medium is high-fired porcelain called Parian-ware. The busts were commissioned and marketed by Methodist layman E. E. Engle. and produced in Trenton, N. J. by potter Rodney Rouse. The molds were destroyed in vandalism of the potter’s shop, so these are the last of their kind.
	130-00 Commemorative Plate: John Wesley Given by Reverend Jim Beal
101-98 Plate Wesleyan Methodist Schools Wegan, England. Platter was given by The Reverend Earl Carter.
CENTER OF ROOM
"Offer Them Christ" Framed lithograph of Painting by Dr. Kenneth Wyatt, donated by Jim and Nell Lane of Sherwood, Arkansas The distinguished American artist, Kenneth Wyatt, created the painting entitled Offer Them Christ as part of the Bi-Centennial of American Methodism in 1984. The original of this painting is in the Upper Room Museum in the Denman Building in Nashville, Tennessee. Thousands of copies have been distributed throughout United Methodist churches and institutions by The Foundation for Evangelism which serves as trustee for most of Kenneth Wyatt's religious art. Proceeds from the sale of this art help to underwrite the cost of Professorships of Evangelism in United Methodist seminaries. Dr. Wyatt's own description of the historical background for Offer Them Christ and his account of the actual process of painting this work are fascinating. The painting depicts John Wesley bidding farewell to Thomas Coke and his party (Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey) as they prepare to embark for America from the Village of Pill on the River Avon in 1784. The artist carefully researched the geographical site, the type of boats and nautical attire current two centuries ago, the appearance of the sky in early morning, the tides at the estimated hour of departure, John Wesley's journals, his personal appearance and garments, and the journals of Thomas Coke. In the painting, Wesley is addressing Dr. Coke and Whatcoat and Vasey are the figures in clerical attire farther back in the boat. The man in the green coat behind Wesley represents the companion who traveled with him in his carriage in his later years. Others are townspeople who had come to bid farewell, a vegetable farmer and his son and a well dressed lady and her daughter, possibly from Coke's rather elite circle of friends. As is his custom, the artist carefully recruited models for these various persons and brought them to his studio in Tulia, Texas. His likenesses of the principal figures in the painting are based upon a thorough examination of available portraits and a meticulous reading of historical accounts. For example, he used a retired 82-year-old chemical engineer from Lakeland, Florida as a model for John Wesley who was 81 at the time. The emotions discernable upon the faces of those about to depart on the treacherous journey to America reflect both apprehension and faith, and the countenances of those who have come to say goodbye clearly indicate that they know the seriousness of the occasion. Perhaps no painting in our Methodist tradition has become better known than this one from the brush of Kenneth Wyatt. Supported by long and studious research, it captures a moving and exciting moment in Christian history and epitomizes clearly and dramatically the danger and hardship involved in preparing to win persons to Jesus Christ in the New World. Its over-arching theme is evangelism and the establishment of the Methodist movement beyond the shores of its origin. You can almost hear John Wesley encouraging Thomas Coke to "Offer them Christ."
	137-01 Bicentennial Bell, 1984. Given by the United Methodist Archives, Hendrix College
40-91 Centennial Table Made by W.C. Hutton to commemorate the centennial of Arkansas Methodism in 1936; the table is made from wood from various historic churches and parsonages around the state. The top of the table is a parquet effect of cedar, pine. red and white oak, poplar, cypress. and birch. The legs of the table are from an old church organ. Names of the churches are inscribed on the top of the table (see The First hundred Years by Nancy Britton). W.C. Hutton presented the table to the North Arkansas Conference in 1936. First United Methodist Church. Batesville, was made custodian of the table where it was preserved by the women of the Jones Bible Class prior to being donated to the museum.
Left Entrance Wall
7-95 Pew Handmade from Friendship Church, now Mallettown Church This pew was used from 1878 to 1912 in the original Friendship Church. Methodist Episcopal Church south. now named Mallettown United Methodist Church, Conway County. The pew was donated to the museum by Reverend Roger Beal.
	145-06 Portrait of Bishop W. Kenneth Pope, painted by Warner Sallman This the last portrait painted by Warner Sallman (Famous for "His Head of Christ".) It lacked a few touches when he died suddenly in 1968. The few touches were added later by another artist. It was presented to J. Kenneth Pope during the annual session of the Central Texas Conference in 1971 or 1972, at 1st Methodist Church, Ft. Worth by friends of his. The portrait was donated to Bridwell Library by Bishop W. Kenneth Pope on September 1, 1981 Bridwell Library presented the portrait to the United Methodist Museum of Arkansas on February 1, 2006. The following is a quote from the book "Master Painter: Warner E. Sallman" by Jack R. Lundborn: 100 Master Painter: Warner E. Sallman. During Sallman's last years he painted a number of Methodist church leaders. A portrait of Texas Bishop William C. Martin was done in 1962, another of the Reverend Harry Denman, General Secretary of the Board of Evangelism for the Methodist church, in 1963. In 1964 portraits were also painted of Dr John Thompson and the Reverend Charles Robert Bruce Pierce, who succeeded Goff, was done in 1967. At the time of his death, Sallman was working on portraits of Texas Bishop W. Kenneth Pope and Gaston Foote, pastor of First Methodist Church in Fort Worth. Both pieces were left unfinished.
142-06 Display of Delegate Badges and Medallions of the 1984 General Conference, South Central Jurisdiction Conference and the North Arkansas Conference. 1984 was the Bi-Centennial of the United Methodist Church in the United States. Donated by Jim and Nell Lane of Sherwood, Arkansas
	150-6 Photograph Bishop Charles N. Crutchfield. Bishop Crutchfield was elected at the 2004 South Central Jurisdictional Conference and assigned to the Arkansas Area.
154-06 Photograph Bishop Mary Ann Swenson was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on July 8, 1947 and baptized at Lakeside United Methodist church where her grandfather was the church treasure. She was elected to the Episcopacy by the Western Jurisdictional Conference in 1992 and assigned to the Denver area with oversight of 400 congregations in Montana, Wyoming, part of Idaho, Utah and Colorado. In July 2000 the Jurisdictional Episcopacy Committee Assigned her to the Los Angeles Area, with oversight for the California-Pacific Annual Conference, the territory of Guam and Saipan, and the Korean Mission.
	155-06 Photograph Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton, was born Mar 30, 1946 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Bishop Keaton is currently assigned to the Detroit Conference. Bishop Keaton is a graduate of Philander Smith College in Little Rock. His mother Euba Harris-Winton, of Fort Smith is a former North Arkansas Conference President of United Methodist Women, and was a member of several General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegations.
146-06 Photograph Bishop D. Max Whitfield. Bishop Whitfield was the first native born Arkansan who was elected Bishop while still serving in the Arkansas Area. He is currently serving as Bishop of the Albuquerque Area (New Mexico and Northwestern Texas Conferences)
	156-06 Certificate presented to I. Nels Barnett, layperson of Batesville, by the Arkansas College of Ecclesiastical Science (Methodist), granting him an Honorary Doctorate as Outstanding Layman, ACES is a fun organization of the Arkansas Clergy and each year they honor some of their own with "doctorates". It is unusual for them to give the award to a layperson.
On Coat Stand in Corner
77-97 Pulpit Robe This pulpit robe was used by Bishop Aubrey Gray Walton, an Arkansas Methodist Minister and Bishop of Louisiana. Donated by Mrs. Aubrey Gray Walton.
WESLEY ROOM (LEFT WALL)

	139-04 Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1900. Gift of Mrs. Helen Boykin
70-95 Photograph General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1858, Nashville, Tennessee.
	64-95 Photograph Early Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church. South.
62-95 Photograph Bishop Ivan Lee Holt
	69-95 Photograph Bishop Edwin D. Mouzon and presiding elders of the Little Rock Conference and the North Arkansas Conferences, 1917.
66-95 Photograph The Judicial Council of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South 1934 -1938.
	106-98 Photograph Council of Bishops 1984, with identification guide. Given by Dr. Ewing Wayland of Wheaton, Illinois (formerly Little Rock
71-95 Collection: Nametags from the General Conference in Portland. Oregon, 1976. These were donated by Mr. Carl Hall of Little Rock who was responsible for General Conference medals and ribbons for a number of years.
	38-95 Commemorative Medals 1984 Bicentennial These medals were from the 1984 Bicentennial of Methodism held in Baltimore, Maryland. The medals were presented by Reverend Frank Clemons and Reverend Joe Wilkerson.
61-95 Composite Photograph Bishops who have presided at Arkansas Conferences, 1836-1944 This composite was made by Kathryn D. (Mrs. James) Rice for exhibit at the two Arkansas Annual Conferences in 1994.
	147-06 Photograph Bishop Eugene M. Frank. Bishop Frank served as Bishop of the Arkansas Area during the period of 1972-1976
149-06 Photograph Bishop Kenneth W. Hicks. Bishop Hicks served as the Arkansas Bishop from 1976 - 1984
	59 - 94 Photograph Bishop Richard B. Wilke. Richard B. Wilke was Bishop of the Arkansas Area United Methodist Church from 1984 to 1996.
57-97 Photograph Bishop Janice Riggle Huie Janice Huie was appointed Bishop of the Arkansas Area United Methodist Church in 1996.
	71-95 Collection Nametags Nametags from the General Conference in Portland, Oregon, 1976. These were donated by Mr. Carl Hall of Little Rock who was responsible for General Conference Medals and Ribbons for a number of years.
67-95 Photograph Uniting Conference, Kansas City, Missouri, 1939.
	68-95 Photograph Bishops at Uniting Conference in 1939.
73-95 Plaque General Conference, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1984.
	63-95 Photograph Early Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church. South.
60-94 Photograph Bishops Aubrey Walton, Kenneth Hicks, W.C. Martin, and Paul V. Galloway
	62-95 Photograph Bishop Ivan Lee Holt
CENTER WALL (RIGHT)
	104-06 Photograph Dr. Joe Hale. Dr. Hale, who is a native of Camden, Arkansas, served as General Secretary of the World Methodist Council during the period of 1976 - 2001
39-95 Photograph Building where the first Arkansas Conference convened. Site of the First Arkansas Annual Conference, November, 1836; this was a store building with lodge hall room upstairs in 1836. This picture was made about 1912 when it was being used as a blacksmith shop. The building was razed in 1920. The photograph was donated to the United Methodist Archives by Theodore Maxfield.
The Following Gavels are in a Glass Display Case
19-94 Gavel Henry’s Chapel This gavel was made from timbers of the old, historic Henry’s Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church near Washington. Arkansas, organized in 1817. A photograph of the Henry’s Chapel dedication site is in the museum collection (36). The gavel was donated to the museum by Reverend Jim Beal.
	22-91 Gavel Charlotte Methodist Church The gavel was made by Reverend Byron McSpadden from the timbers of the old Charlotte Methodist Church which was destroyed by a tornado in the 1980's. Charlotte Methodist Church was in Independence County, Batesville, District. North Arkansas Conference.
23-93 Gavel made by a Mr. Rockwell This gavel was made by a Mr. Rockwell from Hardy, Arkansas. He and Mrs. Rockwell had moved to Hardy from Chicago. Mrs. Rockwell was organist/pianist of the Hardy United Methodist Church. Mr. Rockwell made the gavel in 1975 and gave it to Reverend B.W. Stallcup, pastor of the Hardy Church at the time. Reverend Stallcup gave the gavel to Jim Beal in 1991. The Stallcup’s had retired and moved to Salem, Arkansas. Jim was Batesville District Superintendent at the time. Jim Beal gave the gavel to the museum in 1993.
	24-95 Gavel Flat Creek This gavel was made from the timbers of the old Flat Creek Church in Lawrence County, Paragould District by Reverend S.B. Wilford in 1935. In 1982, Reverend Wilford told the following story of the Gavel ‘What information I have gleaned about the Flat Creek Methodist Church comes from two persons. Floyd Stewart, who now lives in Illinois, with whom I talked on May 16, 1982, and the late Professor J. Criss Eaton, whose family settled in Lawrence County near Flat Creek Church in 1884 when he was a lad of about 12 years. and where his parents lived out their lives. The community came to be called Eaton, and is still so called.? "In 1929,1 was assigned to Imboden Church. Mr. Eaton was a member and still taught in Sloan-Hendrix Academy. I asked him to go with me to the site of Flat Creek Church and we found the big spring near, and a pile of rocks that had been the fireplace and chimney which he said was built in the side of the building. There was also a post oak log, now largely in decay but still showing the axe mark. They had hewn it into a sill in the original building." "I later went back to the site and chopped out a small bit of solid wood, with the idea of having a gavel made from it. I also chopped down an oak about eight inches in diameter and took a cut for a gavel handle. I kept this wood until about 1935, when I had it made into a gavel that was first used by Bishop John M. Moore in the Centennial Conference in 1936 at Batesville. The gavel was used by Bishop C. C. Selectman in the Conference held at Harrison in 1941. It was presented to the North Arkansas Conference in session at Hendrix College in 1980 and used by Bishop Kenneth Hicks at that session. and was placed in the North Arkansas room at Hendrix College Library at the close of the 1980 session.? ‘Professor Eaton believed the church building at Flat Creek was built during the winter of 1816 and 1817. The site is near the shore of Lake Charles in Lawrence County. There is no access road to it now. He believed that Flat Creek was the first Methodist Church organized in the Arkansas territory and was log construction.? "Mr. Stewart, whom I mentioned above, is a great-great-grandson of the family in whose home the church was organized in 1815. The church was a part of the Spring River Circuit served by Eli Lindsey.
25-95 Gavel Eli Lindsey’s cabin The gavel was made from the charred timbers of the log cabin in which Reverend Eli Lindsey lived when he was assigned to the Spring River Circuit in 1815. The cabin was struck by lightning and burned in 1971. Four gavels were made by Major Bill Walker and Curtis Hubbell The gavels are owned by Kaneaster Hodges. Reverend Jim BeaL Bishop Kenneth Hicks, and the United Methodist Museum of Arkansas.
	42-95 Gavel Mt. Zion This gavel was made from the chancel of the old Mt. Zion Church near Wynne where the White River Annual Conference was established in 1870, and was donated by the Hendrix College Collection.
123-99 Gavel Gavel made by Hubert Pierce in 1866 and given to Reverend Robert E. L. Bearden. Sr. Given by Reverend Robert E. L. Bearden, Jr.
	93-98 Gavel Timbers of old Maxville Methodist Church, near Cave City, made and given by Reverend Byron McSpadden.
CENTER WALL (RIGHT) continues
36-95 Photograph Henry’s Chapel Site Dedication The Henry’s Chapel Site was dedicated October 10, 1961. The Site marker reads: Henry’s Chapel Built here 1817. This marker placed 1961 by Historical Society, Little rock Conference, The Methodist Church. The stone at the base of the marker reads: Erected 1817, Henry’s Chapel stood here, see monument at Ozan.
	37-95 Historic Memorabilia, framed set From the United Methodist Archives at Hendrix College, this set includes (clockwise from top) the key to the first Methodist parsonage built in Arkansas; a gavel made from wood of oldest church in Virginia (the gavel was used by Bishop U.V.W. Darlington); a rock from the foundation of the first Methodist Church built in Arkansas; a clipping showing the Lodge Hall in which the first Arkansas Methodist Conference met on November 2nd, 1836. (It stood on the corner of Main and Broad Streets, Batesville, Arkansas. A Sterling Store replaced the lodge); medallion showing the Founders of American Methodism, a gavel made from wood from the first Methodist Church built in Arkansas.
144-06 Inlaid wood plaque of the North Arkansas Arkansas by John Simmons, lay leader of the former Fayetteville District. Wood used in the plaque: (left to right, beginning at top left) Fayetteville District - Honduras Mahogany Burl Batesville District - Maple Paragould-Jonesboro District - American Walnut Fort Smith District - American Walnut Conway District - African Walnut Forrest City District - Carpathian Elm Little Rock Conference - Oak Background - Apple Donated by John Simmons of Siloam Springs, Arkansas
WESLEY ROOM (RIGHT WALL)
	78-95 Photograph North Arkansas Conference meeting in Helena, Arkansas, 1917.
81-95 Photograph The Arkansas Conference, 1900. This photograph of the Methodist Episcopal Church. South. Conference of 1900 was a gift to First United Methodist Church of Harrison. Arkansas, by Merle M. Shouse. It had hung in his grandfather’s home for many years before being delegated to the basement for a long rest. Mr. Shouse discovered it there in 1985. The Administrative Council of First United Methodist Church. Harrison directed that it hang in the United Methodist Museum of Arkansas. In the photo, number 9 - J. M. Hughey, was assigned to Harrison Methodist Episcopal, Church. South, from that conference, and took up his regular work there on December 11, 1900. Merle Shouse’s parents, the J. Lloyd Shouses, were members of the Harrison UMC when he was born in 1913.
	65-95 Photograph Bishop Warren A. Candler and presiding elders (District Superintendents). This photograph was taken about 1912.
122-99 Photograph of Presiding Elders, 1913 Given by the Methodist Archives.
	87-95 Photograph Little Rock Conference, 1919.
72-95 Photograph Epworth League Conference, St. Louis, Missouri, 1920.
	88-95 Photograph Epworth League Assembly. Arkadelphia. Arkansas, 1923.
85-95 Photograph North Arkansas Epworth League Assemble, 1923. at Galloway Women’s College. Searcy, Arkansas.
	90-95 Photograph Women’s Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, meeting in Helena, Arkansas, 1924.
92-96 Commemorative Poster Women’s Society of Christian Service, Luxora, Arkansas Methodist Church,1940, given by Mrs. Charles Moore of Blytheville.
WESLEY ROOM (RIGHT ENTRANCE WALL)

116-98 Framed Prayer Given by Bishop W. C. Martin.
	76-95 Poster: "Our Preacher Boys in College". c. 1940. A poster designed to raise scholarship funds for ministerial students.
84-95 Photograph Hendrix College School for Ministers, 1915. This photograph was given by W.O. Walker from the Reverend Gibbons Collection.
	89-95 Photograph Hendrix College School for Ministers. 1920.
100-97 Academic Hood Gaither McKelvey’s academic hood from Perkins Seminary, SMU.
Back to Top
We would welcome a commemorative plate from your church if one is not already on display. Also if you or your church have any items of historical significance to Methodism in Arkansas we would be honored to receive them for display in the museum, either on loan or donation. Contact our Curator, LaDonna Busby, at 870-793-5247 or visit the North District Office around the corner at 1655 Neeley Street .

Home \| Contact \| Forms for Gifts \| Church's Commemorative Plates \| Museum Inventory \| Pictures of the Museum Occasional Papers \| Tours \| Drama of Wesley \| UM Historical Sites of Arkansas \| Arkansas Methodist History Book \| Links to other web sites of interest \|

© ® ^TM	Copyright © 2007 The Historical Society and Museum All Rights Reserved. For further information please write: The Arkansas Conference's Historical Museum
	Webmaster: Rev. Michael W. Topham OSL

Listing of artifacts: