“The City of Churches: Eureka Springs”, the newest exhibit now on display at the Historical Museum

Photographs, artifacts and other material help convey the history of the early churches, many of which are still in use today and some that are long vanished. The exhibit includes Saint James Episcopal Church, First Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Christian Scientist Church, and St. Elizabeth Catholic Church to name only a few.

In the early 1880’s, those who came here to partake of the healing waters of the numerous springs began to put down roots. They were people of faith who, not having access to or faith in hospitals, doctors or patent medicines, put their assurance in God and natural sources of healing. Some likened the springs in this area to the miraculous waters of the Pool of Siloam.

Traveling evangelists soon arrived and, as they gathered around the springs for worship services, they used the spring waters to heal and baptize their flocks. These newly organized congregations quickly began to build their houses of worship and, at one point in its rich and colorful history, Eureka Springs was known as the “City of Churches.”