Nicodemus Community Church plans homecoming for Sunday
The people of Nicodemus Community have worked side by side to ensure the longevity of the Nicodemus Community Church for more than 100 years.
The church, located at 20185 Fisher Ford Road, will celebrate its heritage with a homecoming event on Sunday, March 4, and all are invited to attend. The event will begin at 10 a.m. with a special service remembering the church’s history, followed by a potluck dinner. The main course will be provided.
Nicodemus Eli Spring donated the land for the church around 1910. Originally a Presbyterian Mission Church, the church is currently nondenominational.
The people of the community, which lies south of Siloam Springs near the Fisher Ford Bridge, are tenacious and faithful to the church’s heritage. The original church was built by people that lived in the area. Walnut pews and other furniture for the building was constructed by members under the supervision of Norman Blisard, who directed the wood shop at John Brown University.
In that same spirit of continued heritage and tradition, Norman’s grandson Rex Blisard currently owns Born Again Pews, which constructs and refurbishes church pews delivered across the United States.
On March 21, 1977, a fire destroyed the church building in just two hours. The fire started near a stove that had electricity. Fire crews could only contain it and keep it from spreading to adjoining fields and a nearby building.
The church was rebuilt in only one year by members and when finished, it was debt-free. The current church has enjoyed expansion of a community building, gym and Sunday school classrooms.