The historic Point Cedar Methodist Church
March days are moving quickly, but more events remain: St Patrick’s Day the 17th when everyone becomes Irish; Spring begins the 20th. Already there have been Daffodil Days in several areas, and the blossoms are particularly lovely this year. Palm Sunday is the 28th as is Passover. Easter Sunday is April 4. Thinking of the Easter season reminds me of the many years when I was a part of the Point Cedar Methodist Church. It is believed this church was organized prior to the Civil War, and had been in continuous operation, but was moved to different locations a few times. The last location was to Highway 84, near the crossroads in Point Cedar of 347 and Shouse Ford Road which leads to the DeGray Lake area. The church building is still there, but members of the United Methodist Church were transferred to the Amity UMC as of April 27, 1998. My membership was then transferred to The First UMC of Hot Springs.
Our largest gatherings were always on Easter Sunday when members and visitors were present for the 10 a.m. program. Occasionally a minister or a Lay-Spreaker would be invited or people from the congregation would be asked to read a Scripture or an Easter-themed poem. The late Grace Bright Luker had a problem getting through the Old Violin without crying. It became a favorite for many of us and contains a great message.
Records state the first church was a log building but moved about three miles south and became known as the New Salem Church. About 1869, it relocated back near the Wesleyan Cemetery and became the Wesleyan Chapel. Moves were made since some of the members moved to that particular location. My main interest has been to obtain the names of people who were members or attended church or Sunday School.
To recover from the Great Depression, talented people were hired by the WPA in 1941 to survey all churches. The deed in 1902 was from C. Henry Easley and his wife, L. Clemmie, to John A Campbell Sr, Albert L Small, Josephus W Campbell, Thomas and Benjamin B Shoush. An interview with Florence Hawkins in 1941 stated the oldest living member of the Point Cedar Church joined when at New Salem, but the name was not included. Could it have been the mother of Miss Florence, Virginia Hawkins? The membership in 1941 was fifty, but early records had been destroyed by mistake. miss Florence was my first teacher when my family moved from Arkadelphia to Point Cedar, and we loved the “card class.”
In 1984, United Methodist celebrated the Bicentennial 1784-1984. The area churches included Daisy (1964), Glenwood 1908, Grants Chapel 1889, Langley 1905, Mt Ida 1868, Norman 1909, Oden 1880, and Point Cedar 1865. The year includes the date someone considered the date organized. The symbol was a horse and rider with a cross in the background. At the time I lived in Shreveport, LA and attended Broadmoor UMC where wonderful programs were given for several Sundays.
There was an Easter program at Point Cedar on April 19, 1987. Readings were by John Calvin Brock and Johnifred Luker; Scripture by Sharon Brock, Merlin Harris, and Frances Vaughan, Responsive reading led by Charlie Knight, Prayer by Doris (BrightStroope-Hand), pianist JoAnn Kirksey, song leader, Brian Branstetter, Display of Easter symbols by Kathy Brock, Vicki Harris, Rodney and Jerry Kirksey hid easter eggs. A guest was Beth Bean. Lilly plants were sent to Oma Burton who was ill, to Fannie Bright Blanche Lambert, Bertha Hill, Minnie Carpenter. (to be continued)
As always, I am slow to adjust to any change, and especially the time change. Sunday morning was a shock, and it will be weeks before any clock displays the same time as any other.
The Garland County Extension Director columnist wrote on March 15th that certain plants which would survive better in Hardiness Zone 8 (average minimum temperature 10-20 degrees). Some of these plants are Indian Hawthorn, Loropetalum, gardenia, evergreen azaleas, crape myrtles, and Japanese Aucuba. The root system may still be alive but only time will tell. My Loropetalum appears dead. A large pot with Candy Tuff which is several years old, has quite a few white blossoms. Some articles recommend that fig, blueberry, and persimmon be substituted for the usual decorative trees. The muscadine grape is considered easier for the South than other varieties of grapes.