100 th Anniversary Limited Collector s Edition

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2 100 th Anniversary Limited Collector s Edition Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church 1229 Arkansas 223 Highway Pineville, Arkansas Published by the West Plains Daily Quill 2013, Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church All Rights Reserved. Compiled by the 100 th Anniversary Committee Isaac Gray, Pastor; Fern Estes; Janie Jenkins; Lucretia Horton; Kris Lamb; Steven Mitchell

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4 The History of the Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church Before there was a church at Pineville, there was a Sunday School which met at the Pineville School. The Sunday School was organized by Robert H. Wayland and Reverend William Peck, a Methodist minister and school teacher. In the fall of 1912, Mr. Robert H. Wayland had a twostory church building erected at his own expense. The head carpenter was Bob Benbrook who was assisted by Joseph Hively. Kerosene lights were used and a wood stove provided heat for the building. Reverend G.W. Thompson preached the first sermon in the new church building in January Sunday School also began meeting in the new church building. The church was organized by a commission of White River Presbytery on May 4, Six members joined the church that day by transfer of letter from the Trimble Campground Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Dolph. Those members were: Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Wayland, Mr. and Mrs. Young Whitfield, Herman Whitfield, and Rose Wayland. The Reverend George W. Thompson was the organizing minister and first pastor. Robert H. Wayland and Young Whitfield were elected elders. Mr. Whitfield served as session clerk and was the first delegate to White River Presbytery. Mr. Whitfield was ordained as a minister in 1917 and served as pastor at Pineville at various times. Anyone joining the church within the first year is considered a charter member. By May 1914, there were 20 church members and 40 regularly attending Sunday School. In April 1914, Mr. and Mrs. Wayland deeded the church building and one and one-half acres to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Trustees named in the deed were: J.C. Dillard, J.W. Richardson, and R.H. Wayland. At the same time, a deed was made to Pineville Lodge IOOF No. 580 for an interest in the real property. The Odd Fellows lodge meetings were held in the upstairs of the

5 building while the church met downstairs. In July 1977, the Lodge deeded their interest in the property to the church. Several changes have occurred over the years. The road in front of the church was graveled in Years later the road was paved. Also, the church used a pump organ until the 1930 s when the members raised money for a new piano. Most members gave $1 toward the effort. The cemetery was started in August Mary Gabie Whitfield, wife of Reverend Y. Whitfield, was the first person buried in the cemetery. The first row of graves is on the original church property. Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Wayland donated an acre of land to expand the cemetery in September Additional land was donated for the cemetery by Mr. and Mrs. Donald Wilson in August 1976 and by Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Wayland in April The Reverend W.O. Parr, of Kentucky, held a revival meeting at Pineville in During the revival, the church received a vision of a modern country church. Reverend Parr was called as pastor and a five-year building project began. On January 3, 1948, the church appointed a building committee which included: Hershel and Edna Ducker, Lester and Emma Morgan, Willie Whitfield, and Jack Seay. The remodeling of the church began in fall 1948 with the addition of an 18 foot by 40 foot basement, four Sunday School classrooms, a 40 foot addition to the building, and remodeling of the interior. At the time, the pulpit and stage were moved to their present location and the floor leveled in the Sanctuary. During renovations, electricity was added to the church along with a gas heating system. The grounds were also leveled and the church yard improved. Originally, slatted pews were built for the church and the Odd Fellows Lodge. The ones used in the church were stained while the lodge pews were unstained. During the 1948 remodel, Edley Ducker donated money for new pews which remain in use today.

6 Along with new pews, church members built a new pulpit. Hershel Ducker provided the materials for Herron Whitfield and Lester Morgan to build it. At the same time, two stage chairs were purchased in memory of Herschel Ducker. The chairs and pulpit remain in use today. A metal pipe with green curtains was installed as a choir rail during the renovations. Church improvements cost $6,353. The church borrowed $1,250 from the Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Finance for a term of 60 months, but the church repaid the loan in 42 months. The inspiring story of the building of the church manse is a tribute to any community. Residents of the community donated 12,000 feet of the best timber they had and local mills cut and planed the lumber at no charge. Volunteer labor assisted one hired carpenter in construction. Total cash paid out for the manse was $2,351 which included labor, a water system, and finishing materials. A dedication ceremony for the church improvements and manse were held in October During the ceremony, Lester Morgan destroyed the note on the church improvements loan. Reverend Y. Whitfield, retired minister, delivered the dedicatory sermon. In 1959, the church purchased the center pulpit chair in memory of Reverend Y. Whitfield and Mary Gabie Whitfield. At the same time, the church purchased a new choir rail. These remain in use today. In 1997, the manse was sold and the proceeds were used to purchase the Orville and Bonnie Jeffery house, which was next door to the church. Initially, the house was used for Sunday School classes and the pastor s office. Today, the house serves as a manse for the pastor, Reverend Isaac Gray, and his family. In the early 1970 s, a small fellowship hall and restrooms were added to the back of the church. In 1989, the fellowship hall was enlarged and the kitchen was moved from the basement to the new addition.

7 Over the years, the basement has served as a fellowship hall and later as Sunday School classrooms. However, the basement is no longer in use. The Odd Fellows Lodge deeded their interest in the upstairs of the building to the church in However, the church did not use the upstairs until With a need for additional Sunday School classrooms, the church remodeled the upstairs. At the time, the church added an addition to the South, which provided a space for the pastor s office and stairs connecting the church to the upstairs classrooms. In 100 years, the church has been blessed with wonderful pastors serving the Lord. Reverend Remmell Rowden ( ) became the first pastor to preach four Sundays per month. Reverend Paul DuBose ( ) became the first full-time pastor and was also the first Seminary graduate to serve as pastor. Although the original building has been remodeled and added to several times, each new change has blended with the old to create a beautiful and inspiring place of worship. While the building is important, the church is really about the people proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The church has sought to do this through worship and the sharing of God s love. A strong sense of tradition and time honored values are visible in the Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church congregation. These have allowed the congregation to adapt and thrive in its first 100 years and will help the church move forward into the future seeking God s will.

8 Charter Members of the Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church Received by Letter from Trimble Campground CP Church May 4, 1913 R.H. Wayland M.E. Wayland Rosa Wayland Y. Whitfield M.G. Whitfield G.H. Whitfield Received September 14, 1913 J.C. Dillard Dora Dillard A.A. Dillard Francis Dillard W.H. Wayland J.L. Wayland W.H. Wood Caroline Wood October 5, 1913 J.W. Richardson Emma Richardson Ella Wayland Etta King J.W. McClellan April 5, 1914 Cora McClellan

9 Pastors of the Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church G.W. Thompson R.L. Keathly 1917 G.W. Thompson 1918 Y. Whitfield D.R. Robertson Y. Whitfield 1924 Ralph Jennings Mrs. Maybelle Reed Oris Wray Y. Whitfield W.O. Parr J.E. Williamson G.D. Short Neill Hudson George A. Butler Remmell Rowden Charles Dancey Jeff Sanders Charles Faith J.W. McCormack 1984 Robert S. Williams Wayne Wood 1995 David Hudson Paul DuBose Isaac Gray 2008-Present

10 The original minutes of organization of the Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Six members were received by transfer. R.H. Wayland and Y. Whitfield were elected ruling elders.

11 Minutes of the first session meeting installing Reverend G.W. Thompson as pastor and electing Y. Whitfield as delegate to White River Presbytery.

12 First Report to the General Assembly By the Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church Clerk of Session: Minister in Charge: Y. Whitfield Reverend G.W. Thompson Elders: 2 Members on Roll: 18 Active Members: 18 Adult Baptism 7 Total Income: $103 Total Expenses: $103 Value of Property: $500 Pastor Compensation $74 In 1913, the pastor served ¼ time which meant the pastor preached one Sunday per month.

13 Most Recent Report to the General Assembly December 31, 2012 Clerk of Session: Minister in Charge: Janie Jenkins Reverend Isaac Gray Elders: 5 Members on Roll: 70 Active Members: 54 Sunday School Roll: 40 Total Income: $94, Total Expenses: $68, Outreach Giving: $18, Value of Property: $300, Pastor Salary: $34, Compensation Package: $38,660.00

14 Photos courtesy of Helen King. (c. 1938)

15 Photos taken in the former Odd Fellows Lodge just prior to its renovation to Sunday School classrooms, showing the original slatted pews and handmade pulpits shown. Photos courtesy of Charles Fielder.

16 Original church windows (left) were sold to church members along with slatted pews to raise money for the 2002 renovations. The Odd Fellows had raised platforms and small podiums throughout the room. The podiums were salvaged for use in the Sunday School classrooms. Photo courtesy of Charles Fielder. Reverend W.O. Parr and Reverend Y. Whitfield. Photo courtesy of Rex Whitfield

17 Photos courtesy of Helen King. (c. 1940)

18 Sunday, April 14, Photo courtesy of April Killian. Congregational photo on Sunday, April 14, Photo courtesy of April Killian.

19 Jay Dixon and Kathleen Burford are the oldest male and female members of the church. Photo courtesy of April Killian.

20 Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church Church Leadership Pastor Reverend Isaac Gray Board of Elders Lorne Johnson Bill Killian Kathie Mitchell Terry Seay Eve Zieske Session Clerk Janie Jenkins Church Treasurer Alicia Goodson Assistant Church Treasurer Margaret Killian Sunday School Superintendent Tim Killian Assistant Sunday School Superintendent Jerry Skidmore Sunday School Secretary-Treasurer Kim Skidmore

21 Assistant Sunday School Secretary-Treasurer Kris Lamb Church Flower Committee Katherine Owens Virginia Roberts Norma Seay Cemetery Committee Lorne Johnson Darrell Killian Jim Mitchell Terry Seay CPWM Officers Sarah B. Mitchell, President Susan Gray, President-Elect Joyce Whitfield, Secretary Kathie Mitchell, Treasurer

22 Sunday School Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church 2013 Missions of the Church Sunday School meets every Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. just prior to morning worship services. An assembly in the Sanctuary welcomes everyone, provides a short devotional and opening songs. The assembly dismisses to classes which are held for all ages. The preschool through Kindergarten class meets upstairs with Sarah Mitchell and April Killian serving as teachers. The elementary school class meets upstairs with Janie Jenkins and Katie Johnson teaching the class. The high school class meets upstairs with Susan Gray and Kris Lamb teaching. The adult class meets in the church fellowship hall with class members serving as teachers. The average Sunday School attendance is 40 people with average weekly offerings of $47. Bible Study A Bible study is held every Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Prayer Meeting Following the example Jesus set, the church holds a prayer meeting every Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. Quarterly Missions Emphasis The Cumberland Presbyterian Church designates four Sundays during the year as Quarterly Missions Emphasis. The Sunday School offerings on these days support missions in the church. The missions are designated annually by the Cumberland Presbyterian Women s Ministry.

23 In 2013, the church will support the Calico Rock Food Room, Magdalene Community, Camp Peniel, and the Cumberland Presbyterian Children s Home. Nursing Home Services The church is honored to join other community churches in providing church services for residents at White River Health Care in Calico Rock. On a rotational basis, the churches provide musical services every Wednesday and Sunday afternoon. Christian Service Center The church joins fellow Cumberland Presbyterian congregations in the area in operation of the Christian Service Center. The center receives donated clothing and other items then resells these items at bargain prices to those in the community. In general, items are priced less than $5 each and many items are sold for $1. In 2012, the center generated $19, in revenue. The center provided financial assistance to Alpha House, Christian Clinic, Cumberland Presbyterian Children s Home, Calico Rock Food Room, Calico Rock Ministerial Alliance, Safe Passage, Storybook Project, local benevolence, and scholarships for local students. Ministerial Alliance The church s pastor is an active member of the Ministerial Alliance of the Calico Rock Area. The alliance is comprised of area pastors representing local churches. They raise funds in support of the community s needs, conduct community religious services, and provide spiritual leadership for the community.

24 Community Revival The church joins with the community to participate in the annual Calico Rock Community Revival sponsored by the Ministerial Alliance held at the Calico Rock Elementary School auditorium. Holy Week To celebrate the beginning of Lent, the church hosts an Ash Wednesday Service. During the season of Lent, the congregation participates in fasting, prayer, study, and service. The church joins with the community to participate in Holy Week Services conducted by the ministerial alliance. The services are held daily, last about 30 minutes, and include a meal. In addition to the Holy Week services with the community, the church joins with the Calico Rock and Trimble Cumberland Presbyterian churches in a Maundy Thursday service. Cumberland Presbyterian Women s Ministry All church ladies are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Women s Ministry (CPWM). CPWM meets the first Wednesday of each month September through June in the church fellowship hall. CPWM hosts the annual Valentine s Banquet, Thanksgiving Potluck, and an Ice Cream Social in July. They participate in the Fall and Spring CPWM meetings. They provide Easter lilies for the sanctuary at Easter and gifts for Mother s Day and Father s Day. The ladies conduct monthly projects which benefit the local community. In 2013, these projects include providing snacks for local elementary students, school supplies for local students, books for Kindergarten students, bingo game prizes for nursing home residents, Christmas gifts for local students, and support for the Calico Rock Food Room.

25 Annually, CPWM honors a lady in the congregation with a Perpetual Member award. Along with the award, CPWM makes a monetary donation to the Denomination s Perpetual Membership Fund to honor the award recipient. The interest from this gift funds missions of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Therefore, the honoree s service and impact continues beyond their lifetime. Fellowship Activities The church regularly hosts fellowship activities including a hayride and cookout in October, Thanksgiving Potluck, Children s Christmas Program and gift exchange, and numerous potlucks throughout the year.

26 Notable Firsts First Pastor: First Members: First Sermon: First Cemetery Burial: First Elders: First Female Elder: First Session Clerk: First Representative to White River Presbytery: First Sunday School Superintendent: First Sunday School Secretary: First Infant Baptism: G. W. Thompson R.H. Wayland M.E. Wayland Rosa Wayland Y. Whitfield M.G. Whitfield G.H. Whitfield Reverend G.W. Thompson May 4, 1913 Mary Gabie Whitfield August 1941 Robert H. Wayland Young Whitfield Katherine Owens Young Whitfield Young Whitfield Young Whitfield Beulah Hankins Herron Whitfield by Rev. G. W. Thompson December 1914 First Adult Baptism: Seven in 1914

27 First Wedding at Manse: First Wedding at Church: Oldest Members: Junior Owens Katherine Whitfield November 17, 1950 by Rev. J. E. Williamson O. D. King Helen Mae Ducker August 17, 1951 by Rev. Young Whitfield Kathleen Burford Born: April 6, 1925 J. W. Dixon Born: October 25, 1924 Longest Membership: Kathleen Burford Joined: July 1942 Junior Owens Joined: June 1954 Youngest Member: Kenlee Killian Joined church at age 6 Presently 11 years old

28 Benediction The Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church was founded on May 4, 1913 by a faithful few. Their number has grown and their influence in the world has spread far and wide. Many church members today trace their roots to many generations in this church. Founded to fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ, if it be the Lord s will, may the Pineville Cumberland Presbyterian Church continue to serve our corner of the world in worship and in the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.