Early Churches Of Benton County
"The Benton County Democrat" (1950) - Now the NWA Democrat Gazette - Century Of Progress Edition
"The Benton County Democrat" (1950) - Now the NWA Democrat Gazette - Century Of Progress Edition
Pioneers settlers were usuallu God-fearing people and due to that fact they welcomed , in the early days befpore churches were organized, any wondering preacher, weather he was of the denomination of their choice or not.
Some of the early churches formed in Benton County were at War Eagle, organized before 1839, by Rev. James Mayfield. It was the Methodist Episcopal Church. Another early Methodist Church was organized by Rev. Walter Thornberry in the south part of the county. It is still known as Thornberry Camp Ground. In 1844-45 the Methodist in this part of the country splitand the churches in this county united with the Methodist Episcopla Church, South, leaving the original church without any organization in the county.
Some of the early preachers of the above church were: Rev. Swaggerty, Elder Mattox, Rev. H. H. Scoggs, Rev. William Buck, Rev. J. M. Jackson, Rev. John Welch and Rev. LaFayette Mason.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was formed in this county about 1830 and was call the Wood Church, the next, the next one at Pea Ridge, the next in Bentonville , Maysville and Siloam Springs.
Some of the early churches formed in Benton County were at War Eagle, organized before 1839, by Rev. James Mayfield. It was the Methodist Episcopal Church. Another early Methodist Church was organized by Rev. Walter Thornberry in the south part of the county. It is still known as Thornberry Camp Ground. In 1844-45 the Methodist in this part of the country splitand the churches in this county united with the Methodist Episcopla Church, South, leaving the original church without any organization in the county.
Some of the early preachers of the above church were: Rev. Swaggerty, Elder Mattox, Rev. H. H. Scoggs, Rev. William Buck, Rev. J. M. Jackson, Rev. John Welch and Rev. LaFayette Mason.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was formed in this county about 1830 and was call the Wood Church, the next, the next one at Pea Ridge, the next in Bentonville , Maysville and Siloam Springs.
Early Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bentonville
Rev. Andrew and John Buchanan were the first preachers of this denomunation. Rev. John once said that until the Civil War, he had preached in every county in the state. Rev. Peter Carnahan, F. T Carlton, Rev. Johns and Rev. J. D. Rush were some of the other early ministers.
The first Baptist Church was formed in the home of William Reddick, in 1842 known as Twelve Corners. It was organized by Elders J. F. Mitchell and Charles B. Whitely. Another church had been organized about 1832, but it was just across the Benton County line south of War Eagle. My grandfather preached at Twelve Corners in 1866.
Some of the early preachers were I. R. Hall, J. B. Stark, W. F.Green, G. W. Setser, Joseph Setser, E. J. Hogan, G. P. Rodgers, A. J. Maxwell, J. Dunagin, J. C. Robertson, J. W. West and S. B. Ford.
The first Baptist Church was formed in the home of William Reddick, in 1842 known as Twelve Corners. It was organized by Elders J. F. Mitchell and Charles B. Whitely. Another church had been organized about 1832, but it was just across the Benton County line south of War Eagle. My grandfather preached at Twelve Corners in 1866.
Some of the early preachers were I. R. Hall, J. B. Stark, W. F.Green, G. W. Setser, Joseph Setser, E. J. Hogan, G. P. Rodgers, A. J. Maxwell, J. Dunagin, J. C. Robertson, J. W. West and S. B. Ford.
Early image of the First Baptist Church in Bentonville
The first Chistian Church organized in the county was on Spavinaw, but the date is unknown. The next one was organized by Elder Larkin Scott, in his own home for a time until the Civil War. Bentonville organized their church in 1865, with Larkin Scott as the minister - he also organized the church at Wire Springs, in the Callis and McKissick and Oakley neighborhood, Mr. W. Y. Oakley being a son-in-law of Mr. Scott, who was 70 years of age, baptised Uncle Dick Bennett, who was 100 years of age.
Some of the early preachers were E. T. Russell, S. R. Beaman, Prof. J. R. Roberts, W. S. Herman, J. C. Lawson, John Leonard, Dr. G. W. Robinson, M. l. Inman and Elder Inman.
Some of the early preachers were E. T. Russell, S. R. Beaman, Prof. J. R. Roberts, W. S. Herman, J. C. Lawson, John Leonard, Dr. G. W. Robinson, M. l. Inman and Elder Inman.
Early image of the Chistian Church in Bentonville
Of the Presbyterian Church there was only one of this kind of organizationin 1844-45 at the head waters of Osage, by Cephas Washburn, who resided there and was a missionary to the Cherokee. He preacher until about 1852 when the church was reorganized in 1852 at Bentonville, By Joshua Green, W. K. Marshall and A. W. Morrison, Rev. C. M. Richards and D. C. Boggs were others who preached to this congregation.