FUMC_HARDY

HARDY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Fourth and Spring Streets
Hardy, Arkansas
Hardy Methodist Church was organized in 1878, but no records have
been found prior to 1892. However, there was a Union Church built at
the corner of Fourth and Spring Streets which was used by the
Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Church of Christ congregations
until the 1939-40 Conference year when the Methodists paid each
of the other denominations $100.00 and became the sole owners
of the property. The old Union Church building was replaced
immediately by a new cobblestone structure. Construction laborers
worked 50 hours a week at an hourly rate of 15-20 cents per hour,
and then donated back to the church 10% of their wages. The pastor
at the time was the Reverend D. L. Hindman and his wife was the
associate pastor. On November 13,1921, the Hardy Methodist
congregation was increased by the transfer of the Cabin Creek
Methodist Church membership to its rolls. Mr. Walter Abee and
Mrs. E. R. (Snowdie) Vance were recommended and received licenses
to preach on May 18, 1948. Mr. Abee served under appointment for
a number of years, but Mrs. Vance was not appointed. This was
probably because of the difficulty in finding a church which would
accept a woman as a pastor. Ironically, the Reverend Fern Cook was
the Hardy Church pastor at the time. The first parsonage was a building
bought from an oil company on Main Street in Hardy and then moved
to the lot behind the present parsonage. In 1954 the present parsonage
was constructed on the corner across from the church.
The Hardy membership was divided in 1964 to form the Cherokee
Village Methodist Church to be located in Cherokee Village. The
Hardy church membership was then 176 persons.
In 1965 a fellowship hall and kitchen addition were made to the
existing church building. The property adjoining the parsonage lot was
purchased to provide needed parking space.
As of December, 1988, the membership totals 174 members and a
number of friends of the church. Although the congregation consists
primarily of retirees, there is much activity, zeal for life, and concern
for others. Williford, Corinth, Ravenden, and at present Liberty Hill
(Sharp County) churches have been on the charge with the Hardy
Church over the years.

OUR WITNESS CONTINUES
The Methodist Witness began in Sharp County in 1861. The first log
building in the Liberty Hill Community was home for Methodists. In
1878 a Methodist work began in Hardy. Since these early pioneer
days, Methodists have given their Christian witness against the
backdrop of the Ozark foothills and the Spring River.
Descendants of the early residents of Liberty Hill continue to keep the
Methodist church as the center of the community. The Hardy church
reflects the change that has come to the Spring River area. The
congregation is comprised of residents from Hardy, Cherokee
Village, Woodland Hills, Hidden Valley, Williford, and beyond.
Together, the Hardy/Liberty Hill Charge congregations have proven
to be "people in mission." Through Heifer Project International,
United Methodist agencies, and the area Ministerial Alliance their
witness reaches far and wide. With well over two hundred years of
work and witness between the two congregations, their presence will
continue to be a part of the fabric of this wonderful community.

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