A History of Moore Church
Transcribed by John Harris from an audio tape recorded
By Brother Cecil Garrison
Transcriber Note: Some of the names of individuals in this transcription may not be accurately translated from the oral to the written. I apologize for any such errors in advance knowing that they are bound to occur in a work such as this. Where there is doubt in my own mind over what Br
other Cecil Garrison is saying on the tape or in places where the sound quality is not sufficient to render an accurate transcriptions, I have made note of such spots by the insertion in the text of [comments in braces] which are in my own words rather than Brother Cecil Garrison's. I have made an effort to obtain accurate spellings from family members, especially my wife, Loretta Harris, who was saved by Brother Cecil Garrison, and who has been a big help to me in completing this transcription. When family members were not immediately available I have taken the spelling from the tombstone inscriptions of the individuals named who are buried in Moore Cemetery. The recording by Brother Cecil Garrison begins:
"This is Brother Cecil Garrison recording some history of the Moore United Baptist Church. We were invited to go to the Church in the year 1937 for a revival meeting. We were led by the Lord to conduct the revival. This Church then went by the name of Pleasant Valley United Baptist Church"
"We began August 16, 1937. The Pastor, Brother Lloyd Talley had resigned and left for California. But God blessed with a wonderful revival with 6 baptized, 6 additions to the Church, and 3 renewals. I was elected Pastor the 5th Sunday in August and organized a league and the Church to begin a birthday fund and elected a treasurer. We closed with the Lord's Supper and feet washing service. 13 women and 3 men took part in feet washing service. I didn't have any car at that time so I went on bus to Berryville. Some of the men would meet me there and take me out to Moore. I preached Saturday night and Sunday night once a month. Had wonderful services. This Church was located 6 miles South of Berryville, Arkansas. This is some history of the people that I met in this community at Moore. I was making some of the wonderful people I met in the community. First, I wanted to mention Sister Etta McKinney who owned and operated the store and post office then called Cabanal. She was a Christian, a fine Christian woman and mother of 6 wonderful girls. I met all their family. She introduced me to many people in the community; her two brothers, Sam and Lester Colvin, Uncle Bob and Aunt Annie Villines whom I stayed with many times. Also Brother Sam McKinney's family and Brother Hubbard Allred, Claude and Clyde Newberry and Brydean. Claude and Clyde lived together in Clyde's home there and we had wonderful times. I stayed with them many times in their home and we truly had a wonderful time. Also Uncle Tom Gage, his family, and Aunt F***y Colvin and Brother Robert Smith, who was song director of the Church for a long time." "I went back in 1938, July 2nd, to Moore School House in Community in Church for another revival. Had a wonderful revival with 17 conversions, 13 baptized, 21 joined the Church. Closed with the Lord's Supper and feet washing. 16 women and 16 men took part in feet washing. Someone requested we conduct prayer meeting in the home in the afternoon during the week so we did and saw some souls saved in their homes. They were wonderful Thursdays in this revival." "In September, 1938, I preached on the subject, 'Earnestly Contend for the Saved', in Jude One and Three at Liberty United Baptist Church in United Baptist Association and Brother Claud Newberry acknowledged the call to preach. But he never did go ahead and launch out and preach like some do. We had hoped and prayed that he would but we had a shouting good time. Sister Anna McKinney was one of the converts in this revival." "We began another revival in 1939, June 25th, at Moore School House in this United Baptist Church. Had 1 conversion, 2 renewals; Mrs. Jesse McKinney and Mr. Earl Hollis and Mrs. Closed the meeting with a good feeling of fellowship among God's children. It was a good meeting." "In 1939, September 17th, I helped ordain Brother Kenneth Autry to his ministry. I said the wedding ceremony for Carr and Lovie Colvin. Lovie was on of the first converts in the first revival we conducted at Moore. I said this wedding ceremony September 17, 1939. Helped ordain Brother Harold Burkett as a deacon in 1939, October. "Began a revival at Moore United Baptist Church May 1, 1943. It was a wonderful revival with 13 saved and baptized and 14 united with the Church. Closed with the Communion and feet washing services. Among those converted in this revival were Brother Harry Wadel and Brother Bruce McKinney, Brother Billy Allred, Sister Erma Allred, Loverta Allred, and Frederick Dooley. It was a wonderful revival." "Then we began another revival at Moore United Baptist Church September, 1947. Brother Hance Armstrong was Pastor of the Church at that time. The Lord blessed and saved 18. 13 were baptized, 10 united with the Church. It was a wonderful revival. Among those that was converted in this revival and those baptized was Brother Elmer Bailey, Brother Aubry Thorne, and Becky McKinney and Brother Dan Walters, Luster and Lola Colvin." "Then in 1949, March 21st, we began another revival at Moore United Baptist Church. God blessed and saved 9 souls. 3 were baptized, 7 united with the Church. Among those converted in this revival were Mary Newberry," ["Dixie Armstrong"? - tape segment ends abruptly]
"Then in 1951, If I remember correctly, we helped Brother Kenneth Autry, who was Pastor of the Church, in the new Church, the first revival, that was conducted in it and it was a wonderful, wonderful revival. We had 23 professions, 13 baptized, 17 additions to the Church. It was marvelous the way that God did work among God's people. Among those converted in that revival was Uncle Tab - as was known- Boatright and also Shirley Colvin and we thank the Lord for everyone that was saved in that meeting and joined the Church. And Brother Tommy Day helped me some in this revival. It was a wonderful, wonderful revival and thank God the Church is still going good and thank God for their Pastors who have helped them so much. We were having day services and God put it on Sister Mildred Waldel's heart for us to go to Uncle Tab Boatright's home and have service. He was saved in his home. A wonderful service there. One other person I would like to mention in that helped them out so much was Jim and Mrs. Richardson [illegible] and thankful for them. She was the pianist at the Church at Moore and helped them out so many, many times. We thank the Lord for them." "Began another revival at Moore United Baptist Church March 31, 1952. Had wonderful revival with 6 conversions, 1 renewal, and 6 additions to the Church, and I'd like to mention that in one of these revivals back a time we had 24 additions to the Church one Sunday there at Moore when we were in the old school house." "Then January 22, 1976, it as a happy privilege to begin another revival at Moore United Baptist Church, Brother Larry Montgomery, Pastor, and I thank the Lord for the wonderful fellowship we had. There were no conversions but it was really a good revival. I enjoyed it so much. We had good fellowship with everyone. The Church was really good to me. This Church has certainly been wonderful to Pearl and I and my family. When Willford was a little boy he used to go with me to the Church and enjoyed it so much and then Mother got to go a few times and enjoyed it so much. Thank God for this wonderful Church and my God continue to bless and save souls is my humble prayer. God be with you in Jesus name we pray."
