The Harrah Methodist Church was organized the first week in May, 1928, when the Reverends New Harris, the Presiding Elder of the Shawnee District, J. M. Littlejohn, and a Mr. Fowler met with Mrs. O. K. Marvel, Mrs. H. N. Porter, Mrs. E. J. Seale, Mrs. C. E. Reubell, Mrs. L. G. Thorpe, Mr. Lester Doughty, and Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Lunsford of Harrah. The Reverends J. M. Littlejohn and W. M. Grose of McLoud held a revival the night of May 14, 1928, and several others were added to the membership. A Sunday School, a Missionary Society, an Epworth League for the youth, and an orchestra were organized within the next two months. Meetings were held in the school auditorium until the congregation moved to a building located midblock on the south side of Main St., east of Church Ave.

The first paid minister was Dr. Marian Francis of the North Arkansas Conference. There was no housing available, due to the expansion of the O.G.&E. plant, so the congregation put up a tent with a wooden floor as the first parsonage! Harrah shared ministers with McLoud and Davenport the first four years. Then they had supply ministers, who were ministerial students from Oklahoma City University. The first full-time minister was Wishard Lemons in 1956, and there have been full-time ministers ever since.

Almost immediately, the women of the Missionary Society began raising money to build a church by holding 25 cent chicken dinners, ice cream socials, rummage sales, bazaars, and box suppers. By 1930, the church had purchased the property on Harrison Street. In 1933, Mr. Fred Schuler built "The Little White Church" in three weeks for $800. A large room was built across the back in 1937 for classrooms and a kitchen. In 1954, the present red brick church was finished. In 1976 the steeple was added, and in 1978 offices and classrooms were built. New stained glass windows were installed in 1986, and the following year, the chancel area was remodeled.

A house on Silver Street was purchased in 1962 and served as the parsonage until 1981 when Dr. Shockey's house on Bradley Street was bought and became the parsonage.

The Harrah United Methodist Church presents a strong worship through scripture and music. We have a good choir, and have recently purchased bells t o have a handbell choir. Our United Methodist Womens' group is very active. We have a youth group that is active and vital to our church. Our Sunday School classes are excellent. We have operated a non-denominational pre-school for many years. The ch urch is used by a number of community groups that meet there regularly. Above and beyond our apportionments paid to the conference, we help support several missions and missionaries.

The Methodist Church originated in England, but began in America in 1784 . In 1968, The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church joined to become The United Methodist Church, a part of the church universal, which is one Body in Christ. Therefore, all persons, without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, to participate in its programs, and, when they take the appro priate vows, to be admitted into its membership in any local church in the connection. Methodists are committed t o the principles of religious toleration and theological diversity. We believe that Christian truth stands revealed in scripture, illumined by tradition, vivified in personal and corporate experience, and confirmed by reason. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, pronounced, "As to all opinions which do not strike at the root of Christianity, we think and let think."

Written by Peggy Sullivan for the Harrah Historical Society, January 1998