OUR HISTORY
Although our church was organized officially on October 29, 1950, the congregation had been meeting in the basement of the Springdale Public Library for Sunday school and worship since June 1950. David Koch, a summer intern from McCormick Theological Seminary, provided the fledgling congregation of 44 charter members with its first pastoral leadership. After he returned to Chicago, the congregation was served by a variety of supply preachers until an official call was issued to David Brewer in June 1951. He served the church for 15 months, resigning in October 1952 to accept a commission to serve as a military chaplain. At the end of his tenure, the congregation had grown to 66 members and the construction of the first sanctuary was nearly completed.
On December 14, 1952, the congregation held its first worship service in its new church "home" - a brick building located at the corner of Quandt and Young streets. A dozen men donated more than 2,000 volunteer hours to build the original sanctuary while the women of the church helped to make the choir robes and equip the kitchen.
After nearly six months without a pastor, the congregation issued a call to Dean H. Lewis, and he was installed as the congregation's second pastor on April 12, 1953. During his five years in Springdale, Lewis actively supported the Youth Activity Center and ministered to the needs of migrants in the community. By the time he left in 1958, the congregation had nearly doubled in size. He resigned as pastor of the Springdale church to become the Western area secretary for the Division of Evangelism.
In August 1958, the congregation issued a call to David F. Swartz, who had served previously as youth secretary for the Board of National Mission, and he became the congregation's third pastor. During his seven years as paster, the congregation voted to purchase land for an educational building, which was completed shortly before his resignation in 1965. On a programmatic level, the congregation had formed its' first Mariners group - a group that provided much needed services to the congregation and community.
After a brief period of time, the congregation issued a call to Elvin Crandell, who assumed the duties of pastor in November 1965. He became the first pastor to live in the manse on Rogers Circle Drive - a house that had previously been owned by Charles and Faye Edmondson, who were active members of this congregation until they moved out of the area. Crandall was quite active in community affairs - most notably with the Arkansas State Police, an association that led him to resign as pastor in 1974 so he could organize the Police Chaplaincy Program in Arkansas. Even though he no longer held the position of pastor, he and his family remained active in the Springdale church. The hand bells that the Crandell Ringers play in our sanctuary were purchased from memorial monies given by his family and named in his honor.
In August 1974, Jim Durden became the fifth pastor to serve our congregation. During his six years as pastor, Steve LaMastus was hired as our choir director and the educational program of the church was enriched by the organization of the Youth Club - a mid-week program of music, Bible study, and fellowship for children in grades one through eight. After his retirement, the church was served for a brief period by Lenhard Middents, a retired Presbyterian minister, who filled the pulpit and provided pastoral care for the congregation during its' search for a new pastor.
In 1980, that call was issued to Bill Rail, who served this congregation for 14 years. Under his leadership, the congregation voted to purchase land for a new church building. In 1986, the congregation moved from its' location at Quandt and Young, holding a formal dedication of its' new church "home" in 1986. The present day facility was built in two stages; the education wing was build first, allow the congregation to study and worship together until plans for the sanctuary were completed. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the present sanctuary occurred in May 1991, and the first service of worship was held on February 23, 1992. By the time Rail retired in 1994, the congregation was well established on Guensohn Road. On May 22, 1994, a copy of the mortgage on the sanctuary building was burned at Rail's retirement party, celebrating both the completion of the building campaign and his faithful service to the congregation. As a tribute to his leadership, the congregation conferred him the title of "pastor emeritus".
While the Pastor Nominating Committee went to work to find the congregation a permanent pastor, the pulpit was filled by Dave Gallaher - a Canadian by birth and Texan by choice. For more than a year, he preached and taught, leaving the congregation with many fond memories of his wit and humor.
On June 18, 1995, the congregation installed G. Richard Vogely as its' seventh pastor. During his tenure the congregation maintained a consistent membership, added a director of Christian Education/Youth to the staff, implemented the Bethel Bible Series, and watched its' music program expand to include three new choirs - the Crandall Ringers, an adult handbell choir; the Soul Singers, a children's choir; and a junior/senior high youth choir.
In 2001, the call was issued to Stewart Smith. During Smith’s tenure, the church increased its’ membership, implemented a Youth Mission Trip each summer, and established a Stephen Ministry program. Smith would serve 14 years until accepting the call to become General Presbyter of Arkansas in October of 2015.
In June of 2017, Kade Curry was installed as the ninth pastor of FPC Springdale. During his tenure, the church continued to experience growth. The Hispanic Ministry was recreated as Ministerio a la Vencindad, and Rev. Moises Chan was hired as Director of the neighborhood outreach program. The Youth and Children’s wings of the church were redecorated and updated, and the church kitchen was renovated. Some Session committees were restructured. Then in 2020 COVID-19 struck. Many activities were temporarily suspended and Zoom meetings and YouTube Sunday services became the norm. However, in short order Pastor Curry and the Session developed procedures to allow the church to safely re-open. Pastor Curry served as pastor for nearly four years, leaving our church following Easter Sunday services, 2021. to take the position of Wellness Coordinator for the Springdale Police Department.
Dr. Rev. Susan Arnold was called to serve as the 10th paster of FPC Springdale and was installed on November 20, 2022.
100 SOUTH GUTENSOHN RD, SPRINGDALE, AR 72762
479-751-2040
office@fpcspringdale.org