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Rhodes
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were hired to dress the lumber by hand and make it more suitable to go into the building.
A daughter of one of those men was the first to be buried in the cemetery located behind the church.
Rhodes financed the building of this second church with the exception of $20, which was donated by Jim Winn.
In 1849, the Little Rock Conference of the United Methodist Church created the Lapile Circuit. Rhodes Chapel was in the list of appointments on this circuit. In 1850, the Rev. J.D. Andrews was the pastor and the Rev. Andrew Hunter was the presiding elder.
Rhodes passed away in 1875.
In 1901, the old church was torn down and was replaced by the present building. The lumber from the old building was sold to W.M. Bull and was used to construct an addition to his house. This house was later occupied by Beulah Newsome, daughter of the deceased W. M. Bull.
The Rev. J.D. Dunn, pastor, led in the construc- tion of the new church, which stood as a mon- ument to him until 1924, when the building was badly damaged by a tornado.
The building was soon back in use, however. In 1944 that building was remodeled. Then in 1947, electricity was installed into the church building and an attic fan was installed in 1948.
In 1952, a butane system was installed and two Sunday School rooms were built.
Under the leadership of the Rev. Ralph S. Mann, the membership undertook a remodeling pro- gram in 1955 to renovate the church.
The tin roof was removed and replaced with composition shingles, the porch on the front was enclosed, new hardwood floors were laid, and celotex ceiling and paneling of the walls added to the beauty and comfort of the interior.
A concrete block foundation replaced rock piers, and new pews and pulpit furniture was also installed. A goal of $3,299 was raised and there was no debt on the church. Members of the church did the work.
In 1959, the fellowship hall was added to the church.
In recent years, the church has seen the addition of an updated front entrance, making the building accessible for all people.
A covered pavilion was constructed adjacent to the fellowship hall providing a place for outdoor activities and fellowship. The building continues to serve as a place of worship and fellowship for the Rhodes Chapel Church family.
Rhodes Chapel United Methodist Church meets the first, third and fifth Sundays for worship.
Rhodes Chapel is a rural church serving the Lawson area.
“There is a good spirit and woderful fellow- ship among the church family,” Rawls said. “The church exemplifies Christian love, care, shepherd- ing, concern and charity within the church family, local community and the broader world of our brothers and sisters in Christ.”
Salvation Army ~ Doing the most good in El Dorado
By Randal Curtman
Managing Editor
EL DORADO — When you think of organizations that are there to offer help in the time of disaster or tragedy, the Salvation Army is usually at the top of that list.
The Salvation Army offers shelter and food to the home- less locally, and it responds to a tornado or flood with their Emergency Disaster Services.
Of course, everyone thinks of the signature Christmas time event for the Salvation Army — the annual Kettle drive, where volunteers ring bells to raise money and awareness of the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army also operates Thrift Stores in many commu- nities which provide bargains as well as raising funds to sup- port the ministry.
What you may not know is that the Salvation Army has been active in El Dorado and Union County since 1922,
and the Salvation Army holds church services at 11 a.m. every Sunday in its chapel, located at its office building located at 419 S. Madison Ave.
“We only have three actu- al members of the Salvation Army here, but we have about 25-30 people who attend our services regularly,” says Lt. Charles Smith, who along with his wife, Lt. Teri Smith, lead the Salvation Army in El Dorado.
“Most chapels are built with the shelters and offices,” Smith said.
“Our ministry is different from other churches, in that we minister to the homeless, those going through abuse or addiction, and we also provide disaster relief.”
The El Dorado Corps of the Salvation Army has been in continuous operation since February 1922, according to a historic program from 1957.
See SMITH, Page 6
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