Church Organizations

St. Bartholomew's, Little Rock
Courtesy of the Arkansas History Commission

In the early nineteenth century women were barred from participating in community organizations, and the establishment of separate women's associations was actively opposed. However, women found it possible to begin organizing themselves into groups within their respective churches.

They formed sewing circles, ladies aid societies, benevolent associations for widows and orphans, and in the late nineteenth century, district and state women's missionary organizations.

Besides raising funds for buildings, furnishings, ministers' salaries, and other church debts, most women's church groups provided charitable assistance to members and friends.

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