​Little Rock Church
​Little Rock Church
History of Little Rock Church
Ellis and Janie Falling
Ellis and Janie Falling
Little Rock Church is nestled in the Dog Creek hills of Rogers County and sits next to the Washington Cemetery. Ellis Falling, at the request of his wife, Janie Nelms Falling, started the first Little Rock Church in 1941. They donated the land for the church and cemetery and began construction of the church. With the help of Faith Tanner and Richard Leach, the churches rock walls were laid. Leach hauled the rock for the church building using a team of horses and a wagon.
The original members are pictured to the left. The front of the church can be seen with a heart stone centered at the top. The original church was a one-room building, which is the sanctuary of the building that is currently used without the front porch (see below picture). Later, the porch was build on the front and an addition was built on the North end of the church building, to include bathrooms, classes, and a small kitchen. A septic tank and lines were also installed.
The church building was sold as home to a local couple. This situation upset a lot of the original members of the church, especially Edna Green. A group of concerned citizens purchased back the church. Edna Green Ward, Ann Womack Gwartney, Lola Ross, Junior Green, Lonnie Green, Ira Green, David Green, Roy Violeta and others were put on the Board of Trustees and instrumental in purchasing the church back. Joanne Green, who is the wife of the late Ira Green, is our current Youth minister.
Left: Ira Green, Edna Green, Lonnie Green, Junior Green, and Lesa Green-Golbek (daughter of Lonnie)
Left: Ira Green, Edna Green, Lonnie Green, Junior Green, and Lesa Green-Golbek (daughter of Lonnie)
After purchasing the building back, the Green family, who owned the building and property, refurbished the building, added a new roof, and opened the doors to be used as a church once again. To honor the wishes of their mother, Edna Green, it was written in the deed that the property and church building will always be used for the Lord's work.
Many ministers have preached at Little Rock Church over the years. In 2005, Pastor Steve McElwee became the pastor and continues to bring forth the Word of God to this day.
In 2009, the congregation obtained the services of Ira Green Construction to build a third addition to the church, a multipurpose room. This room is used for Youth services, fellowship dinners, Sunday school, and wedding or funeral receptions. The congregation paid this addition off two years early with the help of the Lord.
Other upgrades included new windows, a fully functioning Pastor's office, flooring throughout the back half, central heat and air throughout the building, upgrades to the bathrooms, technology for the sanctuary and Youth room and a beautiful new kitchen (build in 2016).
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New Addition
In early 2024, the church expaned again with a new foyer, new outside gathering place, and a new sign. The new foyer will allow people to gather and visit before entering the sanctuary. The gathing place (shown in the second picture) will allow people to sit outside or gather before entering. Our new sign is up-to-date to include messages of hope, invitations to events, and community information. Our new foyer will house a church bell up top that can ring out for the community to hear. We will have more parking out front, as well.
In the process of tearing of the front porch to add the foyer, we discovered that Little Rock Church used to be a Free Holiness Church at one time. Another wonder piece of history. The heart above the door will be showcased in our new foyer. It truly symbolizes the love of God here.
Little Rock Church
A Place for His Presence
Little Rock Church
A Place for His Presence
We look forward to making history at Little Rock Church and hope that you will come make history with us.
