The Rev. Mike Morgan was installed as pastor Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. As part of the occasion, a reception was held in the Fellowship Hall. Here, Mike receives a crystal cross from the congregation in recognition of Pastor Appreciation Month.

The Rev. Mike Morgan and his brother, Chuck Morgan of Texarkana, tell a story to the Rev. Susan Arnold, co-pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Texarkana.

The refreshment table at the installation service for the Rev. Mike Morgan.

    First Presbyterian Church of Magnolia traces its history back to 1884, the same year that railroad service arrived in the community.

    The weekly Columbia Banner newspaper reported on the progress of the early church. “A petition is being circulated by Prof. W.O. McKay to raise money to build a Presbyterian church. Col. Dave Dixon and Mr. W.B. McNeill headed the list with $50 each while neither belong to any church. Other parties are subscribing quite liberally,” the newspaper said on Jan. 24.

    Fundraising took some time. It was not until May 7, 1885 that the newspaper reported the following meeting of the church’s Building Committee.

    “According to appointment, the Building Committee convened at the Brenton Hotel, and the following members were present: W.B. McNeill, Dave Dixon, Peter Farrar, S.H. Power, C.J. Henry and W.O. McKay. Peter Farrar was elected chairman, and W.O. McKay, secretary.

    “It was moved that a Presbyterian church house be erected in the town of Magnolia, of the following dimensions: Length, 65 feet; breadth, 35 feet; from floor to ceiling, 14 feet. It was moved that the house be completed to the following extent, viz: That the contract be let out with a view to laying the floor, placing the ceiling overhead, weather boarding, completing the seats, doors and windows. It was further moved that the following members of this joint committee, viz: W.B. McNeill, Peter Farrar, S.H. Power and C.J. Henry, be appointed to let out the contract for said building, at the courthouse, on Saturday, 11 o'clock a.m., May 16, 1885.”

    Elmore and Sons received the contract to build what was then the fourth house of Christian worship in Magnolia, and the largest in physical size. The original plans were to build on the lot adjoining the J.E. Smith residence, but plans were changed to place the church on the lot immediately east of the home of Sheriff T.J. Grimmett. The site is now the fountain area of the Cecil Traylor Wilson Garden in Magnolia, built in 2005.

    The Columbia Banner reported on Jan. 14, 1886 that, “Doors have been hung, and the seats will soon be completed, and put into the Presbyterian church. Rev. Mr. (H.G.) Moore informs us there will be services at the church on the second and third Sabbaths in each month. There will be sacramental services in the church next Sunday.”

    The church almost immediately created for itself a legacy of lending its facility for ecumenical and educational purposes.

    In May 1886, the Columbia Banner said that the preaching by “the celebrated Hebrew evangelist, Harry May,” drew such crowds to the Methodist Episcopal Church that the Presbyterian Church agreed to open its much larger building for continuing his revival.

    Later in 1886, the Methodist Protestant church and its preachers used the Presbyterian sanctuary as it organized in the city. In 1889, benefit concerts to raise money for the construction of a Methodist parsonage were held in the church.

    Various teachers operated private schools at the church during the early years. The following announcement in the Jan. 17, 1889 Columbia Banner was typical of the arrangements:

    “Prof. Harvey Emerson and Mrs. Appleby have associated themselves together for the purpose of teaching school and will open school in the Presbyterian Church in this place, next Monday morning. Their rates of tuition will be as follows: For advanced scholars, $2 per month; for primary students, $1.50 per month. The higher branches will be in charge of Prof. Emerson, while Mrs. Appleby will have charge of the primary department.”

    One unusual event happened Jan. 14, 1887, according to the Columbia Banner.

    “Last Friday night, while the bell at the Presbyterian Church was being rung for prayer meeting, it suddenly took a tumble from the belfry, broke through the hatchway and landed on the church house floor. Fortunately the bell did not break.”

    The early church also managed to settle a property dispute, reported in the July 3, 1890 Columbia Banner.

    “For some time past R.L. Emerson has been endeavoring to adjust matters between Messrs. Rice Stix & Co. of St. Louis and the Presbyterian Church of Magnolia, so that the latter might perfect their deed to the church lot without paying out a cent of money. Through these efforts, and the extreme liberality of Messrs. Rice Stix & Co., the arrangement is complete, and the executive of the deeds is all that remains to be done.

    “Under the plan the church people will deed Mr. J.E. Smith their former church lot, situated directly west of Mr. Smith's residence, he paying $75 for same, which goes to Rice Stix & Col., in payment for the lot upon which the church is situated. This consummates the original trade made by the church people before building. This fairly settles a long vexed land case out of which Emerson does not make a cent, as he could not consistently charge Rice Stix & Co., any commission on this matter, and would not under any circumstances think of taking a commission from the church.”

    Emerson was the editor and publisher of the Columbia Banner.

    Gladys Pickett Edwards, 100, of the Walker Creek community, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009 at her home.
    She was born Jan. 9, 1909 in Lafayette County, Ark., to the late George Todd and Sarah Elizabeth (Jester) Pickett.  She was a registered nurse at Magnolia Hospital for 28 years. After her retirement she volunteered at the hospital and was a Pink Lady. She was a member of the Quota Club and First Presbyterian Church in Magnolia.
    She is preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Edward Kirk Edwards; and seven brothers and four sisters.
    Gladys is survived by a host of nieces and nephews.
    Funeral services were 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 at the United Pentecostal Church in Springhill, La., with Rev. S.L. Graves officiating. Burial followed at Forest Grove Cemetery under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. Family visitation was held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday at Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. in Magnolia.
    Pallbearers were Hoppy Higgins, Chad Hudson, Doug Pickett, Jerry Pickett, Stan Pickett, Stoney Pickett, Greg Orr and Tony Smieitanko.

    Michael “Mike” Murphy, 41, of Magnolia, died Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009 at the John R. Williamson Hospice House in El Dorado.
    He was born March 10, 1968 in Fort Worth, Texas.
    He was preceded in death by his father, Paul J. “Buddy” Murphy; grandparents, Bill and Rubye Murphy and Howard and Mary Wil Kirtley, and four aunts.
    He is survived by his mother, Pat Murphy of Magnolia; brother, Kirt Murphy and wife Rebecca of Magnolia; nephews, Matt Murphy of Magnolia, and William Murphy of Waldo; niece, Missy Murphy of Waldo; and great niece, Summer Murphy of Magnolia.
    Graveside services were held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13 at Memorial Park Cemetery with Rev. Mike Morgan officiating under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. of Magnolia.
    Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Southern Christian Mission.

    Anita Lee DuPriest, 85, of Magnolia, died Monday, June 29, 2009 in Magnolia Hospital after a brief illness following a stroke.

    She was born Feb. 23, 1924 in Gladewater, Texas, to Claud A. and Clara Dale Lee. She was educated at Abilene Christian College and the University of Texas at Austin. After World War II, while serving as volunteer for the USO, she met Grady E. DuPriest, who was serving in the United States Army Air Corps. After a short courtship, they were married on April 12, 1947.

    In June  1950, Anita and Grady moved to Magnolia, where they raised their two sons, Keith and Larry. Grady was employed as a petroleum geologist, working in the oil and gas business and Anita was his perfect complement as loving wife, homemaker and devoted mother to their children. She also enjoyed volunteering her time for charitable causes such as The Bargain Box, as well as participating in the local Magnolia Follies. She enjoyed weekly bridge club gatherings with her many friends.

    Anita DuPriest was a devoted wife and mother and a beloved resident of Magnolia. She was also a woman of strong faith, and a dedicated member of the First Presbyterian Church of Magnolia.

    She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, Grady DuPriest; her parents, Claud A. and Clara Dale Lee; as well as her brother, Claud Rogers Lee Jr., of San Antonio, Texas.

    She is survived by her sons, Keith DuPriest and his wife Trish of Magnolia, Larry DuPriest and wife Beverly of Garland, Texas; grandchildren, Kimberly Jackson and husband Jason of Seattle, Wash., and Chad DuPriest of Dallas, Texas; two great-grandchildren, Madison and Kaitlyn Jackson. Also included are Anita’s sister, Lawana Ballard of Jacksonville, Texas, her daughters, Jackie Ballard Swanson and husband Martin and family, Lana Ballard Barber and husband Craig and family, and Bonnie Ballard Petter and husband Mark and their family.

    Visitation with family members was held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2 at Lewis Funeral Home.

    Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Friday, July 3 at the First Presbyterian Church in Magnolia with Rev. Mike Morgan officiating, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Martha Robson.

    Music was provided by Dr. Elizabeth Davis, playing “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee,” and “Amazing Grace.” Soloist Joanna Smith sang.

    The congregation recited the 23^rd Psalm. The scripture reading was taken from John 14 (“In my father’s house are many mansions”). The Rev. Morgan gave the sermon.

    Burial followed immediately at Magnolia Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. of Magnolia.

Pallbearers were Richard Murphy, David Alford, Todd Smith, Steve Nipper, Pierre Boumtje and John Boreing. Honorary pallbearers were be Archie Monroe and Ralph Weiser.

    Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 1417 N. Jackson St., Magnolia, AR 71753.

    Ron Campbell, 62, of Magnolia, passed away Saturday, June 20, 2009 at his home.

    He was born April 4, 1947 in Keokuk, Iowa. He graduated high school in 1965 in Eagletown, Okla., and graduated in 1971 from Oklahoma State University. Ron retired from International Paper Company, was a member of First Presbyterian Church, an avid hunter, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

    He is preceded in death by his father, Dale Calvin Campbell; and his mother, Emma Jeanne (Dunham) Campbell.

    He is survived by his wife, Shirley Campbell of Magnolia; one son, Russell Campbell and his wife Konnie of Taylor; one daughter, Angela Autrey and her husband Chad of Atlanta, Texas; one brother, Jan Campbell of Fort Smith, Ark.; two sisters, Linda Freeman and her husband H.D. of Bentonville, Ark., and Lori Moore and her husband of Rick of Tulsa, Okla.; four grandchildren Dylan and Halee Campbell of Taylor, Campbell and Emma Autrey of Atlanta, Texas; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Buster and Jennie Smith of Idabel, Okla.; two brothers-in-law, Hugh Smith of Denver, Colo., and David Smith of Dallas, Texas; and a number of nieces and nephews.

    Funeral services were 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 23 at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Martha Robson officiating.

    Music was provided by Dr. Elizabeth Davis, playing “This is My Father’s World,” “For the Beauty of the Earth,” “Amazing Grace” and “I’ll Fly Away.” Joanna Smith sang “The Old Rugged Cross.”

    The congregation recited the 23^rd Psalm.

Scripture readings were 2 Timothy 4: 1-8 (“I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course,  I have kept the faith”) and Mark 4: 26-32 (the parable of the mustard seed).

    Dr. Robson’s sermon was titled “Plant a Radish.”

    Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Playground Fund or to the Southern Christian Mission.