Sample Itineraries
Southeast Region- Helena-West Helena, Sacred Spaces and Sacred Sounds
Day 1
Historic Helena is home to some of the most beautiful churches and cemeteries in the South. This tour focuses on the historic churches, cemeteries and sacred sounds of the churches located within Helena-West Helena. Your first stop will be the Greater First Baptist Church. Here you'll enjoy a rousing, toe-tapping performance of traditional gospel music. This will be one of the highlights of your trip! Enjoy gospel music as only it can be performed in the Arkansas Delta!
Next stop-St. John's Episcopal Church. The church is built on the original footprint of the church that burned over a century ago. Luckily, one of the original stained glass Tiffany windows was saved. It is now on display inside the church. You'll literally cross the street to the former Temple Beth El for the next leg of the tour. The temple has been deconsecrated and now belongs to the Delta Cultural Center, which will use it as a heritage center. The building retains its beautiful architecture and dome. Temple Beth EL is believed to have been the first synagogue built in Arkansas.
St. Mary's Catholic Church-Completed in 1936, the church was built in medieval Christian style. Charles Eames, who would become famous for his furniture design, designed the building. The stunning stained glass windows were designed and installed by Emil Frei, who would later become known as one of the world's finest stained glass window designers. The mural in the sanctuary was designed and painted by Charles Quest, who decades later would have hundreds of museums throughout the world feature his work.
Maple Hill Cemetery is the next stop and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Confederate Cemetery is located on the ridge above Maple Hill. Maple Hill is the final resting place of Confederate Generals James Tappan and Thomas Hindman. The Confederate Cemetery is the burial site of Confederate General Patrick Cleburne, who died at the Battle of Franklin in 1864. Maple Hill Cemetery is also home to some of the most beautiful and intricate headstones in the Arkansas Delta.
Our final stop is Magnolia Cemetery. The African-American cemetery is built along the topography of Crowley's Ridge and is the final resting place of blues great Frank Frost and Robert Nighthawk. Here we'll enjoy a lunch of barbecued bones(ribs) and blues music to honor the struggle of those who lay in rest.
After experiencing this tour, you'll see the importance faith has played in the history of the Arkansas Delta.
Delta Heritage Tours, Munnie Jordan will host your group tour. Contact her at 870.338.8972 or www.deltaheritagetours.com