History

In the summer of 1903, Rev. N.E. Gardner, pastor of  what is
now the First United Methodist Church of North Little Rock,
Arkansas, held a "Protracted Meeting" under a "Brush Arbor"
among the trees where the present church now stands... and this
is where it all began!  When the revival closed, it was decided to
organize a congregation into a church, and to name it after the
Rev. N.E. Gardner.
 
Immediately the people realized that if they were to hold together
a church they had to have a meeting place, and the first building
was chosen.  The charter membership was small, with very little
wealth among them, and the task of building and paying for the
church was a large one.  Rev. D. H. Conyers, a junior preacher,
assisted in the organization, and it is said that he did his most
abiding work here at Gardner.  The people were truly united with
a common mind to work, and by October 1904, the first building
was ready for services in a concrete veneer structure that measured
28 feet by 40 feet.  The Building Committee included C. E. Moore,
Jerry E. Miller, M.D. Hayes and Lon Ellis.  In 1903-04 the Presiding
Elder was J. L. Sibert and the Bishop was   E. E. Hoss.  At that time,
Gardner was in the White River Conference.  Several of the charter members recalled they had no pews, so they sat on nail kegs, saw-horses, boards or boxes, and reveled in the privilege of worshiping
God as a congregation, together.
 
For the first ten or twelve years the growth of this new church
(actually a Mission Church, but named Gardner Memorial... and
nicknamed "The Barefoot Chapel") was slow but steady, and because
it was then the only church in a large urban area with transportation
a huge stumbling block, it gathered in and ministered to those of all denominations.  Later, when feasible, many of them returned to their
own denominations.
 
In December 1904, Rev. W.E. Hall was appointed the first regular
pastor.  During his pastorate the first parsonage was built on the
lot joining the Chapel (1906).
 
In August 1946 the Sanctuary was completely destroyed by fire. 
Building plans were immediately started for a new Sanctuary and Educational Building.  By 1950 the new Sanctuary was completed. 

Today, over 50 years later, Gardner members and their guests
gather in this same beautiful Church and Sanctuary to revel in the privilege of worshipping God as a congregation, together.  Funny
how the more things change, the more they stay the same...

The Brush Arbor, Artist's Rendition


The Gardner Fire
Although the church building was completely destroyed by fire, the Church lived on through the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Gardner community.  Members immediately began planning for a new Sanctuary and Educational building.

The Gardner Sanctuary
Photos just don't do justice to the beauty of the Gardner Sanctuary,  but the real beauty of Gardner is its people and their faith in the Living God. Come by and see our beautiful sanctuary and meet some really beautiful people. We look forward to meeting you.

Gardner Memorial United Methodist Church
1723 Schaer Street, North Little Rock, Arkansas USA 72114
501-374-9520 | gardnermemorialumc@aristotle.net
All material on this Web site property of Gardner Memorial United Methodist Church © 2007