The History and Mission of Lakeside United Methodist Church of Lake Village, Arkansas

Lakeside Methodist Church was organized in 1884 by Mrs. Eleanor Avent, a saintly individual who felt deeply the need for a Methodist Sunday school and church in Lake Village. Prior to the building of a church, Mrs. Avent conducted services in various homes and in the courthouse. She was the mother-in-law of Brig. Gen. D. H. Reynolds and prevailed upon him to donate the present site for the church. Mrs. Avent became the first superintendent of the Sunday school. Other members at that time were Mrs. Rosa Connerly, Mrs. Rebecca Bunker and family, Mr. and Mrs. George Kruse, Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Meade and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hunnicutt.

Rev. Thomas A. Hearn, a circuit rider, served as first pastor in 1885. The Hearn-family moved to Arkadelphia from Tennessee in 1854 and was staunch Methodists across the years. Brother Hearn had the distinction of being among the very first missionaries who ever went from Arkansas to a foreign field. In 1893, Brother Hearn left for China from the Little Rock Conference and spent thirty-two years as a missionary in China. He was said to have spoken Chinese fluently and published a book on the Chinese language.

The first building for worship was erected during the pastorate of Thomas D. Scott in 1891. This structure was a frame building 34ft. by 40ft., with beautiful tower and belfry. In 1900 a three room frame parsonage was erected on the lot just south of the church. Several years later, two rooms and a bath were added. In 1918, two classrooms were added to the west end of the church. Later in 1925, as the membership grew, two small buildings were erected on the rear of the lot.

Reverend J. Ralph Clayton was called to Lakeside in June, 1946. He saw the need of a new building and inspired the members to act. With his untiring efforts, money was raised; the parsonage and two small Sunday school buildings were sold and moved from the lot. The old church was moved to the rear of the lot. This building was later torn down and the material was used to build a new parsonage. That parsonage was later used as the pastor’s study, church offices, library and classroom.

Under Rev. Clayton the new church was begun, completed, paid for in full, and dedicated on January 9, 1949, by Bishop Paul E. Martin. Our church differed from most churches as it was constructed without a hired architect or contractor. Rev. Clayton designed, drew the plans and with help of the members, built the beautiful and modern red brick church we now have. The 1948 structure was L shaped with an impressive sanctuary, art glass windows, spacious choir and chancel areas, pastor’s study, choir room, educational rooms, parlor, fellowship hall and kitchen.

A major addition and renovation project, with all new fellowship hall, kitchen, offices, education space, and chapel, was completed in 1987 under the leadership of Rev. William O. “Bud” Reeves.

In April of 1972, the church purchased the McGehee property next to the church and is now being used for a parking lot. The donation of a lot at the corner of Cokley and Reynolds was made by the sons of Hal and Mattie Sessions in April, of 1974. It provided the church with a new parsonage site. An additional lot was also donated by the Bunker Estate for the new parsonage. In 1977, the congregation saw the need to build a new parsonage and under the leadership of Rev. Clyde Swift a parsonage fund was started. Actual construction of the new parsonage on South Cokley was begun under Rev. Rayford Diffee in 1979 and first occupied by Rev. and Mrs. Guy Downing in 1979. In 1983, the new parsonage was completely paid for.

In 1984, Lakeside United Methodist Church celebrated its Centennial. On June 17^th Centennial Sunday and Father’s Day were observed with Rev. J. Ralph Clayton bringing the message. Also present was then new District Superintendent, Rev. Merle Johnson. During the morning service, among those recognized were Hunter Hollaway as the oldest father present and Keith Carpenter as youngest. Beatrice Carpenter Truelove was the oldest member present. Also recognized were Building Committee members and Trustees of the existing church; J. H. Hollaway, John Fish, V. S. Cuthbert and Mrs. M. S. O’Neal. Rev. F. Gladwin Connell, Director of Conference Council on Ministries spoke in the afternoon on various concerns of the church. An evening service was also held on Centennial Sunday with retired U.S. Navy Chaplain, Hal R. Sessions, Jr. bringing the message. A capsule containing mementoes of the church and congregation was buried later that year for opening in 2084.

Lakeside welcomed its first female minister, Rev. Paulette O’Dell in 1991. (See complete list) Our current minister, Rev. Tony Hill was appointed 2008.

Lakeside’s worship ministry is led by the Chancel Choir, directed by Mrs. Beverly Rowe, and two handbell choirs, the Jubilate Ringers and the Lakeside Ringers, directed by Mr. Greg Bland. In addition, the Youth and Children’s Choir are directed by Mrs. Debby Bland and Mrs. Mary Ann Carson.

The Youth Group meets in its own building, one block from the church proper, purchased in 2004.

Mission and outreach have been a central component of the ministry of Lakeside since Rev. Hearn. Dr. Marvin Loyd established Loyd Christian Health Ministries to facilitate his work in Haiti and after retirement has performing dental work for prisoners in the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Mrs. Marilynn Loyd was a delegate to three General Conferences and served as a member of the General Council of Finance and Administration. She was also the first female Lay Leader of the Little Rock Conference.

Ms. Karen Lingo began her work in the Philippines in 1986 and currently serves as a missionary to Burkino Faso in West Africa, where she has worked since 1990.

Lakeside has worked diligently to serve her neighbors in disaster relief, leading the Southeast District of the Arkansas Conference in contributions for Ingathering, which go to the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

Lakeside’s vision is to be a church empowered by the Holy Spirit to offer to all people the love of God and a life in Jesus Christ.

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