History of First United Presbyterian Church - Fayetteville, Arkansas

The roots of the congregation began in the frontier life of Northwest Arkansas. In 1830, early settlers met with the Reverend Buchanan to form Fayetteville's first church, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville. Worship services were first held in a blacksmith's shop. A brick church was built with volunteer labor at a cost of $2,500 on 229 Block St. After being used for Federal quarters, the Confederates burned down the building on April 30, 1863. All records were lost in the fire. The congregation survived the Civil War, reorganized on June 6, 1867, rebuilt after the fire, and provided three moderators for the church's General Assembly.

In 1906, the congregation followed the main body of the Cumberland denomination in reuniting with the "Northern Church" (Presbyterian Church U.S.A.). At that time, the Fayetteville church became the Central Presbyterian Church. The sanctuary and educational rooms were built at the corner of Dickson and St. Charles Streets, the present site of the U.S. Post Office.

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