PRAIRIE GROVE -- Another historic building in Prairie Grove is being renovated so that it can be used in the future.
Plans call for it to be a quaint, cozy wedding chapel.
Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Prairie Grove was organized between 1830 and 1832 and was the first organized church in the community. The present building, according to church records, was erected in the late 1800s and dedicated in April, 1890. The church held its last service March 30, 2014.
Last spring, Marcus Nall with Washington County Milling Co., LLC, purchased Cumberland Presbyterian Church at 202 W. Buchanan St., from Arkansas Presbytery of Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His purchase included the church and the adjacent historic section of Prairie Grove Cemetery, about 2 1/2 acres, for $25,000.
Earlier this year, Nall opened the former Washington County Milling Co., flour mill structure, as a new event center. He bought the building in total disrepair and completely renovated it, keeping it as historically accurate as possible.
Nall's plan is to use the former Cumberland Presbyterian Church for weddings and the Milling Co. building on Mock Street for wedding receptions.
This fall, Nall and his employees have worked on the outside of the church and exterior work is almost finished. Workers replaced the church's roof with a new standing-seam metal room. They removed siding and brushed on two coats of paint by hand.
When workers removed the siding they found a window that had been covered up on the front of the building. Nall said he had seen old photos that showed the window and wondered it it was still there.
They renovated the bell tower, replaced the cross on top of the steeple and eventually will place a new rope on the bell so it can be rung. Nall said the brass bell has the date 1883 engraved on it.
On the inside, Nall plans to open up the bell tower to give a feeling of expanse in the room. He plans to keep the original 1888 wood floors but will bring them "back to life" with a mixture of oils. The ceiling is made of used siding and Nall plans to keep the ceiling as it is.
The pews, bought in 1905, have been moved to the former fellowship hall for now but they will be restored and returned to the church santuary.
If all goes as planned, Nall hopes the church will be ready for weddings sometime in the spring.
Nall, who grew up in Prairie Grove, said he apparently was interested in history even as a child. His mother recently returned some old school papers to him and one of his papers had a note written by Peggy Parks, his fourth grade teacher in Prairie Grove. Parks wrote to Nall's mother that her son was very interested in history.
"I never realized I was interested in history until I bought the milling company," Nall said. "That was pretty perceptive of her to pick up."
Nall said he decided to purchase the former flour mill and Cumberland Presbyterian because he did not want Prairie Grove to lose a part of its history.
"The opportunity was before me. I knew how to do it and I had the means to do it so I guess it was meant to be," Nall said.
David and Linda Bartholomew of Prairie Grove have many memories of the old church. David's father, Harold Bartholomew, pastored the church for about 25 years.
At one time, Cumberland Presbyterian was a thriving church, David Bartholomew said.
"It's a beautiful, old church and I think Marcus is doing a great service to the area," he added.
Linda Bartholomew said Nall's plan to use the church as a wedding chapel is a perfect fit. All three of her daughters were married in the church and one daughter used the cemetery as a background for some of her wedding photos.
Bill Ramsey, who now lives in Fayetteville, also grew up in the church. His parents were long-time members. His father's funeral service was held at Cumberland Presbyterian and his 102-year-old mother has requested that her service be held there also.
Nall promised Ramsey that when the time comes, he will make the church available for Mrs. Ramsey's funeral service.
"I think it's wonderful what he is doing," Ramsey said. "Prairie Grove is home and will always be home to me. I think it's wonderful what Marcus is doing with the flour mill and particularly with Cumberland Presbyterian because it has such a history in this community. That place is very significant and very dear to me."
General News on 11/09/2016