Received this from my cousin Diane Berry . We are great-granddaughters of Shepard and Elvira Wakefield Jones of Branson. This was from an interview she did with Willard Jones, grandson of Shep and Elvira. Sycamore Log Church Information received from Willard Jones in October 2002 The Sycamore Log church was the first church in the area to be completed and occupied, in the fall of 1933. It cost $18.00. Sycamore cedar logs were hand cut by the light of the moon. Causing them to be slick and shiny (no bark) and last twice as long as what would be normal. They were cut from a bald knob not too far away and pulled by mules to the church site. The sand that was used to create the mortar between the logs came from Roark Creek. This sand was very thick and dense about three feet deep. There was a cast iron stove that burned logs used for about 40 years before it was changed out. Calvin Jones, Willard’s father and is oldest brother Leonard pulled and cut the walnut stump, creating the pulpit that is still there to this day. The original roof was made of the clap board. This is what you see around the roof’s edge now. Willard’s dad, Calvin replace them with the tin roof that you see today. The frames around the pictures were made of ash by Willard. He also paid $40.00 to have the serenity wall plaque made. The inscription plaque, “”I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help,” Psalms 121:1 was made by students at the School of the Ozarks and brought over by the first speakers that spoke in the church, Dr. Crocket and Dr. Harvey. Another one of these was placed at the Wilderness Church in Silver Dollar. Rev. Guy Howard, (The Walkin’ Preacher of the Ozarks”) also spoke at the Sycamore Log Church several times before he became famous. The local Garber school, Superintendent also spoke at different times. Willard shared that several different people spoke before an original Pastor took over. Chris Doty StandingCloud ty, this is awesome to know. 56 minutes ago · L
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 04:29:03 +0000
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