This Crittenden County material provided by Brenda J. Jerome, CGRS, bjjerome@wowway.com
History of Hurricane Church The Hurricane class was first organized at the home of Rev. R.C. Love's grandfather. A traveling preacher organized the class. We find that the first deed was given by Richard Minner June 20, 1843 to the trustees of the Hurricane class and their successors. It consisted of three and one-half acres of land. The second deed was given by R.H. Haynes June 9, 1855, containing three acres of land. The third deed was given by J.B. Stephenson Feb. 17, 1892 for one-half acre of land. The fourth deed was given by Wm. Barnett Aug. 4, 1893, containing one-half acre. The fifth deed was given by A.M. and T.E. Hearin Sept. 26, 1893, containing one-fourth acre of ground. In 1889 the writer of this article assisted Rev. S.K. Breeding in a meeting at this place and from it the Holiness movement started. Bro. Jackson Millikan, a Baptist at that time, got under conviction for a clean heart. [Crittenden Press 25 Apr 1907] Hurricane Tabernacle Destroyed by Fire Saturday morning the tabernacle at Hurricane, also the church building at that place, were completely destroyed by fire. How it started is unknown, but it is thought to have been the work of an incendiary. Hurricane church was one of the oldest in the county, having been organized in 1848. The land on which the log building was erected was deeded to the church by Robert H. Haynes and Richard Minner and the church organization was made at the home of Mr. Haynes. The church building that burned Saturday was about 37 years old, its first pastor being Rev. R.Y. Thomas. The tabernacle was erected about 10 years later - about 27 years ago - for the purpose of holding camp meetings. Since that time camp meetings have been held annually. The membership at Hurricane, together with the camp meeting committee, have agreed that a new church building and tabernacle must be erected on the site of the old buildings. [Crittenden Press 1 Oct 1920] Hurricane to Rebuild Church An all day meeting with dinner on the ground was held at Hurricane Camp Ground Saturday, its object being to arrange plans for the erection of a new church building and also a new tabernacle to take the place of those recently burned. It was decided that a new and handsome church should be erected on the site of the old building as soon as possible and a building committee was chosen to raise funds and look after the other matters pertaining thereto. It was also agreed at this meeting that later on a new tabernacle should be built that the annual camp meetings may continued. Rev. O.M. Capshaw is pastor on that work. [Crittenden Press 15 Oct 1920] Brenda Joyce Jerome, CGRS