AboutUs - Harmony Presbyterian Church

"When Harmony Presbyterian Church was organized on February 24, 1844, its congregation came from an area near the Wire Road to the south of the present Harmony community. (Because the first communication lines in this area were strung along this road, it became known as the "Wire Road.") After a time, when the area became more thickly populated, three churches were organized in this area to meet the needs of people living there....During this period, the congregation apparently took turns worshipping in log school buildings in the three areas.

"In 1858, Abraham Laster deeded two acres of land on which to build a church. The Harmony congregation has occupied four buildings on this site. The first was a frame building, which burned; the second was a box building, the third was a frame building, which was torn down after the present stone building was built.

"While the first worship was in log school houses, nothing is known about these log buildings, but Loyd King, a member of the Harmony Church, remembers the frame building which was torn down upon the completion of the present building in 1919. Loyd describes the frame building as a sizable two-story building with a tall cable roof line, located near where the manse presently stands, and facing south. Members of the Masonic Lodge met in the upper story of the building.

"According to minutes of the Session meeting on October 17, 1915, elders Sam Bennett and J.M. (Jimmy) King were elected as delegates to the Synod, which was to meet at Russellville on October 19, 1915. Elder King went for the express purpose of securing a loan from the Board of Church Erection to aid the Harmony Presbyterian Church in erecting a new church building.

"The construction of the church took place in 1915-1917. The actual work was done by volunteer labor of men in the community, and by stonemasons Tip Chandler and his sons who did the rock work.

"The rock was taken from several quarries in the area and was brought to the work site in mule drawn wagons.

"The cornerstone of the new church was laid on August 20, 1918, with a ceremony which involved sermons by Dr. W.B. Miller of Van Buren and Dr. Lile, president of Arkansas Cumberland College, and special music by the choir and a soloist. Inside the cornerstone were placed the roll of charter members of the church, the roll at the time of the laying of the cornerstone, a copy of The Presbyterian Advance, and the Bible.

"The new church was dedicated on June 27, 1920, with about seven to eight hundred people present. The dedication service took place in the afternoon, following 'dinner on the ground,' with Dr. Elbert Hefner delivering the dedicatory sermon. Reverend J.J. Partain was installed as pastor of the church.

"Throughout the years following its erection and dedication, countless improvements have been made on the church building.

"The members of the church continue to treasure Harmony Church as a place where the worship of God has a special meaning."

--From The Book of Remembrances II written by Billie King and published in 1994

Today Harmony Presbyterian continues to be a vital church full of wonderful people. While our church is a family, there is always room at the table for more. The people of Harmony are a warm and welcoming people. When you are ready for a church which will love you, not judge you, Harmony Presbyterian will have a place for you.