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THE ARKANSAS BIBLE SCHOOL

                                  2025 DATES: Bible School - June 13 - 18th ; September (Labor Day Weekend) Gathering - September 4 - 7 

The Arkansas Bible School began as a place for Fraternal Gatherings in the 1880's on land donated by J.D. Martin. Out of discussions in 1922 "of more extensive as well as intensive work in the proclamation of the gospel" came the plans to create an organized school on the grounds with the focus on teaching the youth. It was formalized as the first Christadelphian "Bible School" in 1923 by the Arkansas Brethren with  Bro. O.L. Dunaway appointed as its director. The dates of the first School was July 18 to August 1 in Martinville.  Quoting from a report of out of The Christadelphian Advocate (Sept. 1923):

      "According to plans previously made, and announcements published in our magazines, the school was held at Martinville from July 18th to August 1st.  There was a total enrollment of 175, with an average daily attendance of 125.  There were seven classes in all, and besides the three mentioned above the following served as teachers: Brother Otho S. Jones (Biscoe), and Sisters Una Martin (Little Rock), Dicie Windburned and Eula Huie (Morristown), A.M. Tucker (Flippin), Edna Johnson (Batesville), and Anna E. Zilmer. 

     Besides the regular study of the booklet, "First Lessons in Doctrine which is according to Godliness", prepared by Brother Zimmer, there were daily chart drills on the books of the Bible, the history of the nation of Israel, drills in Scripture verses, special programs by nearly all the classes, and conversations with interested friends and pupils." 

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The report goes on to make some comments regarding the work of Bro. Dunaway as director:

"Finally a word regarding the Director of the School, Brother O.L. Dunaway, who labored with burning zeal and untiring energy from beginning to end, conducting the school, maintaining order, giving variety and spice to exercises, and holding and sharpening the interest.  His efficient work contributed a large share toward the success of the undertaking.  The school, the first of its kind among the Christadelphians as far as the writer knows, may justly be regarded as an achievement."  

 

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O.L. Dunaway - circa 1950s

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The "Tabernacle" - circa 1950s

History

Historical Timeline:

  • 1888 – First documented Fraternal Gathering at Damascus.

  • 1892 – The original “Pavilion” building erected by J. D. Martin. – Christadelphian Advocate November 1927

  • 1923 – First Bible School. First display of two Charts created by Brother D.W Bughman – 1) Bookcase with 2 shelves of books containing the books of the Old and New Testament and 2) a chart showing the history of the nation of Israel with the names of kings and prophets detailed.  

    • The School was held in a pavilion, next to it was a small little “church house” that was obtained a few years previously from another religious group.

    • There were two large sleeping tents, one for the men and boys and one for the women and girls.

    • A Delco electrical  light system, as it was years before Martinville had electricity.

    • (Reported in the Christadelphian Advocate – September, 1923)

  • 1924 - A dining room was created from the old pavilion and screened in where previous meetings were held and a kitchen was attached, where the food was served cafeteria style. 

    • A women’s and girls' dorm had been built and first used during this year (same dorm that still exists?). 

    • A water system had been installed with two houses containing toilets and even shower baths. 

    • (Reported in The Faith Magazine – December 1924)

  • 1927 - One of the attendees, J. W. Peake (father of Brother John Peake, who had attended the Bible School for many years), made an appeal to the brotherhood for assistance in building a Tabernacle for worship services. 

    • Men’s and boy’s dormitory built.

    • Tents used for classes and for the general assembly. 

    • Tuition raised from $2 to $3 per person.

    • (Reported in the Christadelphian Advocate – November 1927)

  • 1928 - $5000 was raised to build the Tabernacle structure which was built before the 1928 Bible School – 90 by 60 feet, meeting capacity of 350, 15 classrooms opening into the main auditorium. 

    • (Reported in the Christadelphian Advocate Magazine – September 1928)

  • 1934 - According to a 1984 historical summary of the Bible School prepared by Sister Margaret Dunaway – in 1934, the Choctaw Ecclesia joined with another group and donated their building to the Bible School for a cottage for the older men and they also donated their bell to the Bible School. 

  • 1946 - The report of the Bible school for this year indicated that the elderly sisters' dormitory was finished by this year, along with concrete sidewalks connecting all of the buildings. 

    • (Reported in The Christadelphian Advocate September 1946.)

  • 1949 – Brother D. W. Bughman’s chart on Nature and Destiny of Man revised and displayed.  (See illustration below.) 

  • 1968 – Wood-burning cook stoves were replaced by butane-burning stoves of institutional size. 

    • (Reported in The Christadelphian Advocate – October 1968)

  • 1970 - According to a 1984 historical summary of the Bible School prepared by Sister Margaret Dunaway – in 1970, a special place was cleared for modern trailers and campers and a bathhouse built for the campgrounds. 

The basis of fellowship for the Arkansas Christadelphian Bible School is based exclusively on the principles outlined in the Christadelphian Unamended Statement of Faith.   The School continues to contend for the Apostolic Faith in its purity in belief, practice, and fellowship and welcomes those who share this same goal  

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