|
Church History:
It all started in 1872 when Rev. Roberts of El Dorado organized the
Methodist Episcopal Church in Benton. During November of that year,
the first services were held in the Benton schoolhouse. Rev. R.F.
King was the first pastor. In 1895 the first church building was
erected on the 270 W. Henrie Street site in Benton. That building
was destroyed by fire December 22, 1929.

The desire to have a church in which
to Worship God was strong. Even though it was during the Great
Depression, a church building was constructed on the same site. It
was dedicated to the Lord on February 15, 1931. A basement
modernization project was completed in 1960. Church members cared
deeply about their church and remodeled the sanctuary in 1962 and
1967.
The need for an education / fellowship wing became apparent. On
April 16, 1978, a ceremonial ground breaking took place. The the
men of the church used their expertise and muscles to construct this
addition to the main church building. It was dedicated April 22,
1979. The basement was remodeled in 1992. In 1995 Noah's Ark
Preschool was started. Both the interior and exterior refurbishing
project was completed in 2003.

The first phase of a three phase new building project has just been
completed on a new site on the northeast side of Benton. This phase
includes a multipurpose worship area, kitchen, offices, classrooms
and a partial basement. Phase 2 will be the construction of an
education wing, and Phase 3 will be a building sanctuary. The first
worship service in this facility was held on October 21, 2007.
Bishop Scott Jones and District Superintendent Cheryl Bell dedicated
this building on January 13, 2008.

Pastors (1872 - 2008):
R. F. King; G. W. Harrison; Peter D.
Lahr; John A Holms; John R. Millsap; Al Commings; James F. Irwin;
N.E. Harmon; M. T. Long; William Farrel; W. I. Miller; Samuel
McKibben; Ashbaugh; Laverty; Glucknen; Romine; J. V. Moore;
Heevenridge; Dilts; T. E. Lawrence; James W. Anderson; Benjamine F.
Foard; Peter C. Herbert; S. M. Hunt; W. V. Whinery; E.P. Rogers; E.
T. Julian; M. N. Blood; R. A. Potter; George W. Harrison; J. W.
Runyan; J. P. Wiley; W. L. Davies; John K. Yoeman; John Howard;
Dadisman; W. J. Burns; John Hagan; Jesse Firestone; L. J. Mettling;
J. P. Groom; Earl A. Nossman; Ben F. White; Earl McGinness; W. E.
Callahan; C. F. J. Caulkins; Philip Chastine; Ben McCormick; Don D.
Peckham; John Sterling; George Wattenbarger; Gile Stagner; Duane
Harms; L. Fred Houston; Alan Stambaugh; Rob Winslow; Marc McDonald;
Joel Hamme, Rob Schmutz
|