Holly Grove News (the Monroe County Sunday School Association meets in H.G. for its 1908 conference; May 8,9 – calling it the greatest convention ever held in Holly Grove; it was a huge event) -Those Easter Egg hunts tickled the children – but what pleases us is that one town has promised to send 30 delegates to the Sunday School Convention which will be held here May 8th and 9th. -Holly Grove wants lots of company on May 8th and 9th. -The Methodist Church is being beautifully painted -Now Remember and don’t forget…the greatest convention ever held yet at Holly Grove May 8th and 9th
Brinkley Argus May 15, 1908 Comes to Brinkley Next Year The 1908 Monroe County S.S. Association at Holly Grove a Grand Success. The Greatest Gathering of the Kind Ever in Monroe County This pretty little city of Holly Grove and her hospitable people were at home to the Sunday School workers of Monroe County on Friday and Saturday last, on which dates the 1908 session of the Monroe County Sunday School Association was held, and of which may be said in the beginning, was the greatest gathering of the kind ever held in Monroe County. There were present delegates five Brinkley Sunday Schools, five Clarendon Sunday Schools, besides the various other schools of the county at Monroe, Roe, Shiloh, Holly Grove, etc. The Association was called to order Friday afternoon by the President, Wm. B. Folsom, and a most cordial welcome was given by Prof. W.A. Owen, principal of the Holly Grove Public School, which was responded to by Dr. J.S. Edenburn of Little Rock. The official list of delegates as prepared by Secretary A.S. Bayne, of Clarendon, showed that there were about 100 present to participate in the Association. The night session on Friday night was a most delightful one and the house was crowded even past “standing room only”. Dr. Edenburn, chairman of the State Executive Committee, spoke on the state work and his address was most eloquent and inspiring. One of the features of the evening was the Flag Song by Brinkley boys….[I haven’t included a lot of the article that covered the business of the convention because it didn’t directly pertain to Holly Grove Saturday’s Dinner The announcement was made that dinner would be served the Association in picnic style on the lawn of Mr. W.F. Branch. The Association assembled there and were received and made to feel at home, while they were served with one of the most sumptuous and delightful dinners ever served in the county. Delicious barbecued meats, Brunswick stew, cakes, pies, and in fact everything that was good. Notes on the Association The Brinkley crowd left on the Midland Friday morning train which ran special to Holly Grove, reaching there about 8:30 o’clock. At each station along the way and as the train pulled into Holly Grove, a rousing chorus of voices led by the cornet, let them know that the Brinkleyites had music in their souls.
The way the Holly Grove reception committee handled the crowd would have done credit to any city. They all wore pink silk badges on which appeared (? Illegible words). Reception One of the delightful features of the Association was the exceptionally fine music furnished by the Holly Grove choirs, with Mrs. J.I. Matthews at the organ. The solos and duets of Mrs. T.B. Sylar, Rev. and Mrs. Looney, and the violin by Mr. James Lair, were wonderfully pleasing, as was the chorus singing and that of the male quartette. J.B. Moore of Clarendon proved himself a master in the finance of raising the expenses of the Association, and in so doing was elected as permanent chairman of the Finance Committee.
The Holly Grove people have Prof. W.A. Owen to thank largely for the opportunity of entertaining the finest county convention ever held in the state. Prof. Owen is a talented young man, a consecrated Christian, and is an ornament and a wonderful power for good among the splendid people with whom he is laboring. One of the very interesting features of amusement after the Association adjourned was the baseball game between the Holly Grove and the Brinkley boys baseball teams. Those clever H.G. boys all know how to play baseball. In the morning, they had defeated Clarendon in a 10 to 0 game. However, they found a tug of war with the Brinkley boys, who were playing their first game of the season. The score stood at 13 to 12 in favor of H.G. It was said to be one of the most exciting games ever played in H.G. and was witnessed by several hundred people. Sam Williamson umpired the game and was very gentlemanly and fair in his decisions.
Brinkley Argus Dec. 21, 1906 Holly Grove News -On account last Sunday being a very inclement day there was no kind of church service in town during the day nor the night. -Miss Ada Cocke and Mrs. Nelie Morris canvassed the town Monday the 17th in the interest of the culinary needs of the new Methodist preacher, Bro. J.A. Patterson. They found the people of the town very liberal. And these ladies secured for the preacher and his family – oh well, it’s useless for this old scribe to try to tall all they did get and the nature and quality of the goods, for my descriptive abilities are inadequate to the task – but if the good preacher and his good wife can find room to store all of these goods, they will be fortunate….
Brinkley Argus Feb. 22, 1907 Holly Grove News -The Methodist Sunday school at H.G. will have a very appropriate program for Easter Sunday
Brinkley Argus Apr. 5, 1907 Holly Grove News -Our Easter exercises last Sunday have been pronounced a perfect success in every way. The program was well performed. The singing was fine. Our sweet little girls, in their white dresses, pink streamers and white slippers made an attractive picture, even if the weather did make them look rather cool.
Brinkley Argus Mar. 16, 1906 Holly Grove News (Dept. – Wide awake correspondents contribute all the news) -The building of flues at the Methodist Church, preparatory to putting on a new roof, also the painting will begin soon.
Brinkley Argus Mar. 23, 1906 Holly Grove Dept. -The Methodist Church will very soon have a new roof on it. It needs painting and it will take a good deal of money to put it in good fix.
Brinkley Argus Apr. 13, 1906 Holly Grove Dept -The Methodist choir met with Mrs. Nellie Morris for choir practice last Friday night. -The Presbyterian Ladies served supper at the Hall last Thursday night. The receipts were near $50. The ladies wish to thank the good people of H.G. for their continued liberality. The Presbyterians expect their pastor about May to take charge of the H.G. church. Mr. Porterfield is the minister they expect to get. He is a fine preacher. We hope they will succeed in getting him.
Brinkley Argus Apr. 20, 1906 Holly Grove Dept. -Bro. Fred Little preached at H.G. last Sunday night to a full house.
Brinkley Argus May 4, 1906 Holly Grove Dept. -Sunday, being the fifth Sunday, there was no preaching in H.G.
Brinkley Argus May 11, 1906 Holly Grove News -The manse just completed by the members of the Presbyterian Church is a lovely home with all conveniences – the very place for a good preacher.
Monroe Count Citizen Mar. 8, 1928 HG Gleanings -Mr. Jim Youngblood of Little Rock is in our city at this time. He is figuring on building the new Baptist church.
Monroe County Citizen July 7, 1927 HG Gleanings - The girls of the Southern Presbyterian Church met Thursday evening at the church, Miss Mildred Hawkins leader. A good meeting was enjoyed both spiritually and socially.
Monroe County Citizen Sept. 8, 1927 HG Gleanings -Mr. and Mrs. Wetmooreland are in our city. Bro. Westmooreland is holding a series of services in the Cental Baptist Church. A full-blooded Indian, Mr. Bert Peters, is leading the song services. He has a wonderful voice and all who go are enjoying the solos.
Monroe County Citizen Sept. 22, 1927 HG Gleanings The Baptist revival held in the Central Baptist Church here for two weeks closed Sunday. Eleven were baptized in East Lake. Bro. Westmooreland preached some wonderful sermons and his singer, an Indian Chief, Bert Peters, sang some beautiful solos. Mr. Hart, the new pastor did some very effective personal work.
-- Edited by Danyelle McNeill Fletcher at 17:42, 2006-01-13
Monroe County Citizen Jan. 8, 1925 Holly Grove Gleanings -Reverend Barnett preached two good sermons Sunday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Central Baptist Church -Thirteen were present at the Lawrenceville last Sunday afternoon. This was the first Sunday school there in a month.
Monroe County Citizen Jan. 29, 1925 Holly Grove Gleanings Presiding Elder Dr. Anderson preached here Sunday night to a large crowd at the Methodist Church.
Monroe County Citizen March 19, 1925 Holly Grove Gleanings -Mr. John Riffie, a student at Ouachita College, preached in the Central Baptist Church Sunday to a large and attentive congregation. The local Baptists have called Mr. Riffie to preach here and he expects to fill the pulpit every other Sunday.
Monroe County Citizen August 6, 1925 -Mr. Smith filled his pulpit at the Presbyterian Church here Sunday. -Mr. Rollings preached at the Central Baptist Church here Monday morning at 10:00. There will be services at that church the rest of the week.
Monroe County Citizen May 27, 1926 Holly Grove Gleanings -The Methodists will observe Children’s Day in their church here Sunday morning at 11:00
Monroe County Citizen June 10, 1926 Holly Grove Gleanings -The following were baptized Sunday afternoon at East Lake by Mr. Riffey, Misses Annie E. Matthews, Earlie Riner and David and Ethel Riner.
Monroe County Citizen Feb. 19, 1925 Holly Grove Gleanings -Extensive repairs are being made on the Methodist Church, including painting, papering, and putting in new windows. The appearance of the building is being greatly improved thereby.
Brinkley Argus Jan. 27, 1926 Holly Grove News -Rev. John L. Riffey assisted by Evangelist Voyles and Mr. Lawrence, choir director, are holding a meeting at the Central Baptist Church. -The Epworth League gave a watch party at the Methodist Church for the young people. After many games were enjoyed, the devotional lesson began, which ended with "Ringing Out the Old and Ringing in the New.
Monroe County Sun Holly Grove News March 14, 1935 "Church services here Sunday morning and evening were held at the Methodist Church and conducted by the pastor, Rev. A.N. Storey."
Monroe County Sun Holly Grove News Sept. 26, 1935 "Rev. Henry Goodloe of West Helena is holding a series of meetings in the Holly Grove Methodist Church."
Monroe County Sun District Rally at Holly Grove Tonight "The Presbyterian Young Peoples’ League of the Pine Bluff Presbytery will hold a district rally in Holly Grove this evening. The meeting will be held in the Presbyterian Church there and will begin at 5 p.m. with an illustrated lecture on China. The theme of the rally is ‘Christian Youth and World Peace’, with Miss Jessaline Woodfin presiding."
Monroe County Sun June 26, 1947 Religious Picture To Be Shown at Holly Grove Sunday Night "We authorized to announce that on next Sunday night at the High School auditorium in Holly Grove at eight o’clock, June 29, there will be a religious film shown, "The Woman to Remember". The showing of the picture is sponsored by the First Methodist Church of Holly Grove. No admission will be charged. Everyone is invited to attend."
Brinkley Argus April 19, 1956 News About Holly Grove People "The following young people of the Holly Grove Presbyterian Church attended the Young People's Spring Rally of East Arkansas in Pine Bluff with the C.R. Gordons Saturday: Misses Mary Ann Gordon, Marilyn Smith, Peggy Miller, Carol Jean Thompson, and Dan McNeill, Charles Miller, Dickie Coleman and Don Thompson. Dan McNeill was elected the Commission Chairman on the Youth Council for the new year."
