Page 4 - OnThePath.June2016

Episcopal
Rhodes Chapel United Methodist Church one of oldest in country
Continued from Page 3
“The story of a church is more a story of a congregation of people gathered for worship and ministry than it is of build- ings,” said the Rev. Charles T. Chapman, Jr., rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. “Yet, buildings are tools which can help sustain worship and min- istry. St. Mary’s is blessed with a beautiful church in which to worship.”
The church building has undergone a number of major expansions since its initial con- struction, and now features several building additions, gar- dens, vividly colored stained glass windows and a pipe organ.
The present organ, built by the Schantz Organ Company of Orrville, Ohio, replaces a previous pipe organ built by Louis Rabalais and Bill Risinger in the early 1960s. The Schantz organ was donated to St. Mary’s by Dr. Walter John Giller in memory of his mother, Violet McRae Giller. Mrs. Giller, a well-known musician in this area, once served as the parish organist. Mrs. Giller’s grand- daughter, Heidi, was also an important part of the musical life of St. Mary’s Church.
“My earliest memories of playing at St. Mary’s and sing- ing with St. Mary’s choir are from when the old pipe organ was in use,” said Walter Hale, current organist and choir- master of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. “At that time, Donald Smith, Jr. was the organist and choirmaster. Much like today, extra singers would come for special occasions. These are very special memories for me. I still remember the beautiful
music that filled the church during those times, especial- ly on Christmas Eve. As in decades past, the choir today strives to enrich the worship experience. The parish is bless- ed to have this tradition of ded- icated musicians.”
“In 2004, the Parish Hall was renovated and expanded under the leadership of the vestry and Fr. Bob Allen, the rector. The dream was that it would offer a place for community nonprofit organizations to have meetings and host events. This dream has become a reality, with many groups using the Parish Hall each year,” said Chapman.
Each member of St. Mary’s clergy has made a unique con- tribution to the church’s devel- opment. The congregation, too, has devoted tireless efforts, funds and resources toward making St. Mary’s Episcopal Church a caring and compas- sionate local presence. Not least of these is the Proctor Hill Endowment, left by Mrs. Blanche Parnell Wade.
“St. Mary’s, for many years, has had the reputation of being ‘the church that helps people.’ We are not the only church in El Dorado that helps peo- ple, but we are committed to maintaining that reputation,” Chapman said.
As Bishop Freeman wrote in his report to the Board of Missions after his 1849 visit to El Dorado’s Episcopal commu- nity, “The little flock at this place is considerate and kind.”
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church is located at 512 Champagnolle Road. The public is invited to attend Sunday morning ser- vices at 8 and 10 a.m.
ByRandalCurtman
Managing Editor
The establishment of Rhodes Chapel United Methodist Church dates back to the time when Union County was being set- tled by families from Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas.
The church has the distinctionofbeingone of the oldest Methodist churches in the coun- try.
Rhodes Chapel United Methodist Church has a proud heritage, being estab- lished in 1845 and becoming a part of the Arkansas United Conference in 1849.
“Rhodes Chapel is pleased that the doors of the church have remained open pro- viding a place of wor- ship in a rural area for 171 years,” said Pastor James Rawls. “The Rhodes Chapel Church family is always mind- ful of those gone before us and of their strong commitment and ded- ication to the church.”
In 1845, H.W. Rhodes came to Arkansas by riv- erboat from Alabama. He landed at the Old Wilmington Landing on the Ouachita River. He had with him his family, his stock and his
household goods.
He homesteaded a
large tract of land in the Lawson communi- ty, and five acres of this land was donated by Rhodes to be used as the site for a Methodist church.
The first church building was built by Rhodes with the help of farm laborers. Trees were felled, hewed and sawed as building material. Logs were
split and faced up so that the smooth side of the log served as the seat. Wooden pegs were used as legs for the seats. The church building did not boast of plank flooring — the only floor the church had was a dirt floor.
The church was named Rhodes Chapel in honor of Mr. Rhodes.
The first organization consisted of 15 mem- bers. The name of the
first pastor is unknown. During the early years, Rhodes shared half of his house with the pastor. This church building was used until 1849. That year, Rhodes traveled to New Orleans, where he purchased enough cypress lumber to replace the log church with a newer and much
larger church.
Jim and Jack Wimber
See RHODES, Page 5
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