Church rededicates mural

1950 painting hidden by wall restored to prominence

— A restored mural of a stream descending from the mountains and over a waterfall, which many members of First Baptist Church in Gentry will no doubt remember, was unveiled and dedicated in a special service on Sunday afternoon.

The mural which hung in the old baptistry of the church had been covered over and hidden since 1994, when the old sanctuary window to the baptistry was closed off to make a children's wing on the church campus. When the education building was to be torn down last year, thechurch, with the help of Rick Parker, removed the painting before the demolition work.

After spending hours and hours to clean and restore the painting, with much of the work done with cotton swabs, Rick Parker sealed the painting with a protective covering. It was mounted in the church foyer and unveiled Sunday for all to see overhead as they enter the main sanctuary of the church.

The mural was painted in 1950 by Lena Ann Black, a church member and nursery helper between 1944 and 1960. Little is known about Lena Black, except that shewas born in Sedalia, Mo., and married Joseph Black in Big Springs, Texas, in 1924, and moved to Gentry in 1944. They had no children. When the couple was in the process of moving back to Texas in 1960, Joe became ill and died in Siloam Springs. Later in the year, Lena also died of illness at Gravette Hospital. The couple is buried at Memorial Gardens in Rogers.

The mural painting was hung above the running water baptistry built in 1950 and paid for with a $500 donation from Dr. and Mrs. Peacock, according to church minutes.No mention was made in church records of the Lena Black painting.

Though church records don't mention the mural, speakers at Sunday's service had numerous memories of the painting. Church members recalledstaring up at the painting and baptistry during services in the church, some recalling their own baptisms there below the painting.

Martha (Millsap) Hawkins, who grew up and attended the church and was baptized there, shared a brief history of the mural. Johnetta (Allen) Bilby recounted her own conversion and baptism. Robin Cowin, current pastor at the church, opened the service and welcomed all in attendance.

Ben Woody, who attended the church as a child and was baptized there and later became a minister, called the mural a piece of artwork which represents the spiritual journey of First Baptist Church in Gentry. He made comparison to the monument of stones the people of Israel set up after crossing the flooded Jordan on dry ground under the leadership of Joshua.

Woody said the piece is a reminder to him ofhis childhood conversion and baptism, his wedding, his personal calling into ministry and a family member's funeral. It was in the old sanctuary, below that painting, where he recognized his own calling into ministry, he said.

"This mural takes me back to each step in my walk with God," Woody said. "It's not just a painting; it's a place to remember."

He said the mural has a spiritual aspect to it which needs to be continued.

Jack Jones, a pastor at First Baptist between 1961 and 1966, in prayer expressed thanks for his ministry at First Baptist in Gentry and for the privilege of baptizing in the old baptistry below the mural.

Following the dedication service in the sanctuary, those in attendance were directed outside and into the church foyer to view the painting which was mounted above a doorway facing the east entrance to the church.

News, Pages 1 on 11/02/2011