Son's Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Son's Chapel
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 Location in Arkansas
Location in the United States
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| Location | 5480 East Mission, Fayetteville, Arkansas |
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| Area | 2.1 acres (0.85 ha) |
| Built | 1933 |
| Architect | Shelton, Thayer |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000949 |
| Added to NRHP | September 25, 2003 |
Son's Chapel is a special old church located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It's a single-story building made from rough fieldstone, which is a type of natural rock. The chapel has a pointed roof at the front and a short, square tower on one side.
This unique building was constructed between 1933 and 1937. It mixes different old building styles, like Gothic and Romanesque. You can see Romanesque arches over the windows. The tower even has a crenellated top, which looks like the battlements on a castle!
Contents
Son's Chapel: A Historic Place
Son's Chapel is more than just a building. It's a place with a long history. The church community started around 1848. This was on land given by a man named Michael Son.
The Chapel's Unique Look
The chapel stands out because of its rustic stone walls. It looks like it grew right out of the land. The mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles makes it very interesting. It's a beautiful example of architecture from the 1930s.
How It All Began
The story of this area goes back to about 1842. The land was first given to a Choctaw man named Ah-To-Chubee. After he passed away, the land became available again.
The Son Family's Gift
Michael Son and his wife Nancy moved to Northwest Arkansas. In 1848, they received 40 acres of this land. The community became known as "Son's Chapel" because of Michael and his brother Abram Son. They settled here in what was then wooded farmland.
In 1852, the Son family gave about two acres of their land to the Methodist Protestant Church. They sold it for just $2. This land was for a cemetery and a church yard.
A Busy Community Hub
A small log chapel was built on the north side of the cemetery. This first building was also called "Son's Chapel." It was used for church services by different groups. It also served as a community school. Many community groups used the building for their meetings too.
Building the Current Chapel
As the farm community grew, the small log building became too small. A new schoolhouse was built nearby. People then started talking about building a larger community center. This led to the construction of the stone chapel we see today.
Caring for History
A group called the Rural Builders Association was formed in 1922. This group still helps take care of Son's Chapel. They work hard to raise money to keep the building in good shape.
A Place on the National Register
Son's Chapel is very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 25, 2003. This means it's recognized as a special historic site in the United States. You can see a bronze plaque about this by the front door.
The Old Cemetery
Across the street from the chapel is the Son's Chapel Cemetery. It's one of the oldest cemeteries in the county. Many early settlers are buried there. The cemetery is still active today. A group of trustees takes care of it. They hold an annual workday and Memorial Service each year.
See also
