Listed in Arkansas Register of Historic Places on 12/03/03
SUMMARY
Built in 1930, St. John M. B. Church is being nominated to the Arkansas Register with local significance underCriterion A for its association with the African-American community inArkansasCity.St. John M. B. Church was probably the most influential African-American church historically inArkansasCity, and remains a prominent congregation today.This building is being nominated under Criterion Consideration A: Religious Properties, not for its religious merit but for its architectural value.
ELABORATION
Incorporated in September of 1873, the Port of Arkansas City was established in 1877, the same year the St. John M. B. Church was founded and built by Reverend John Smith and his small band of followers, providing African-Americans a place to worship.The church was named by Sister Josephine Adams.In 1881, the county seat was moved to ArkansasCity.
The church was prominent in the African-American community, and was the largest church in ArkansasCity.Not only did the congregation offer youth delegation training to the surrounding cities, they also offered missionary training.In addition, some of the church members started a singing group in the 1940s.Known as The Hayes Harmonizers, the group was broadcast on two radio stations on Sunday mornings, KVSA/McGehee, Arkansas, and WJPR/Greenville, Mississippi.
Originally located on Kate Adams Street, the church was relocated to Morning Star Street after the flood of 1927.Built in 1930, by Parrish Frazier, the congregation was under the directorship of Reverend Screws.The flood left 2,000 residents stranded on roof-tops, with the streets ten feet under water.A levee was constructed after the flood, thus preventing further flooding of the town.
SIGNIFICANCE
Built in 1930, St. John M. B. Church is being nominated to the Arkansas Register withlocal significance under Criterion A for its association with the African-American community in ArkansasCity.St. John M. B. Church was probably the most influential African-American church historically in ArkansasCity, and remains a prominent congregation today.This building is being nominated under Criterion Consideration A: Religious Properties, not for its religious merit but for its architectural value.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Deed Book Page number 596 at Desha Count Courthouse in Arkansas City, Arkansas.
1977 Church History Bulletin of St. John M. B. Church
Cornerstone installed in 1930