One of the earliest known photographs of Old Folks’ Singing: 1913. Photo courtesy of Old Folks’ Singing Committee.
The Old Folks’ Singing Committee invites the community to come join in this year’s activities.
In 1885, two decades following the end of the Civil War, an entire community gathered in a small town just across the current Saline County line. An event on May 17 of that year began a tradition in Tull, Arkansas that residents of surrounding area as well as from across the nation attend. The uplifting sounds of hymns, piano and voices familiar to generations of attendees echo through the surrounding landscape from the church on the hill, the very location of that seemingly ordinary event from 1885 – the dedication of a small Methodist Church.
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On that date one-hundred-forty-one years ago, the occasion was marked with singing and a picnic on the grounds. This formed the tradition for the third Sunday of May each year to gather at what is now Ebenezer United Methodist Church to honor the past and gain strength in faith for the future.
While the world has changed significantly since the beginning of this event, the structure of the day remains the same as it was at the start. The morning session is for songs from the Christian Harmony songbooks. After a break for lunch on the grounds, the afternoon session begins with a memorial service. Names of those who have passed since he previous year’s gathering are read aloud. The afternoon singing is from hymns in the Cokesbury Worship Hymnal.
In 1921, the gathering became known as Old Folks’ Singing, as it remains known today.
Lunch on the grounds remains a popular time to socialize with others. Photo courtesy of Old Folks’ Singing Committee.
Two traditions grew in association with Old Folks’ Singing. A natural spring across the road from the church was a gathering place for people to catch a fresh drink of cold water. Some say it was also a perfect location for “courting”. This tradition fell to the wayside when growth of the landscape made reaching it too difficult. A second tradition began when, after finishing their lunch, people walked through the adjacent Ebenezer Cemetery, where graves from as far back as the early 1800s can be found. Many people take the opportunity to visit the burial places of loved ones and relatives.
This year will be on the exact day and month of the original, May 17. Old Folks’ Singing is open for all to attend, regardless of affiliation or denomination.
Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Tull will host the 139th gathering of Old Folks Singing. (Photo by Brent Davis)
Officers for this year are: Wilson DuVall, president; Mark Gillis, vice president; Karen Westbrook and Tiffany Talbert, secretary; Sue Shults, treasurer; Victor Burton, chaplain. Russell Burton and Lisa Tull form the Program Committee. Karen Greer and Jenna Jones comprise the Memorial Committee. The Table Committee members are Holly McCormick, Quinn McCormick, Nathan Welch, Mike Phillips, and Joe Phillips. Ushers/greeters are Russell Burton, Paula Fitzhugh and Sue Shults.
The program begins at 10 a.m. with opening remarks by Wilson DuVall, followed by an invocation by Victor Burton. Terry Harrison will present the Welcome Address. Harrison, a Vietnam veteran, and DuVall also place American flags on graves of veterans in the adjacent cemetery. DeAnne DuVall Wilmoth will give the Response to the Welcome address and singing begins.
A monument in Ebenezer Cemetery commemorates Old Folks Singing and the founders. (Photo by Brent Davis)
At 11:45 a.m., singing takes a break with lunch on the grounds. At 1 p.m., the afternoon signing portion begins with announcements by Mark Gillis. The Memorial Service follows the announcements and is led by Karen Greer and Paula Fitzhugh. Singing then continues until 2:30 p.m. when a Benediction by Victor Burton marks dismissal for the day.
Ebenezer United Methodist Church is located at 8319 State Hwy 190 N.
