Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church is rooted in Little Rock's Hillcrest neighborhood, where a Sunday school begun in February 1912 grew into a long-established teaching congregation with two worship styles, a statewide television ministry and service that reaches well beyond its buildings. It is known for Classic and Modern worship, a monthly Spanish-language gathering, intergenerational learning, music and arts, caring ministries, food and clothing distribution, a public-school partnership and medical mission work in Guatemala. Its motto, “Inspire Love, Embrace Christ, Engage the World,” reflects a church that seeks to welcome people into fellowship and send them into service.
A Hillcrest Story Since 1912
In February 1912, Pulaski Heights began as a Sunday school while women of the congregation raised money for a church building. The cornerstone was laid on July 21, 1912, and the church moved into its present building on Christmas Eve in 1950. Its history in Hillcrest continued to shape the congregation even as its membership, facilities and ministries expanded. A second major expansion came in 1966, when Pulaski Heights began televising worship throughout Arkansas. It is the only United Methodist Church with a statewide television audience on Sunday mornings.
Pulaski Heights also has a long record as a connectional and teaching church. The T.J. and Inez Raney Series began in 1951 and brought prominent preachers and theological speakers to Little Rock and central Arkansas. Service and learning trips, the RoundTable podcast and the work of many people in ministry have continued that emphasis. The church describes itself as inclusive, with Scripture at its center and a concern for building relationships with people both inside and beyond its walls.
Two Traditions of Worship and a Statewide Broadcast
Sunday worship takes place in two of the church's principal gathering spaces. Classic Worship is held at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary, while Modern Worship begins at 11:00 a.m. in Wesley Hall. The different settings make it possible to attend either style at 11:00 or to move from Classic to Modern across the morning.
- 9:00 a.m. Classic Worship takes place in the Sanctuary and is livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube.
- 11:00 a.m. Classic Worship takes place in the Sanctuary.
- 11:00 a.m. Modern Worship takes place in Wesley Hall and is livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube.
The two services seek to glorify God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit while offering distinct musical and worship settings. The 9:00 Classic service is also broadcast statewide on KATV Channel 7 at 10:00 a.m. Live worship and Bible study are available online through the church's streaming channels.
Parking, Entrances and Sunday Hospitality
Three parking lots serve the Woodlawn Drive and Lee Avenue sides of the campus. Lots 1 and 2 are off Woodlawn Street and are closer to the Sanctuary. Covered Lot 3 is off Lee Avenue and is closer to Wesley Hall, where Modern Worship is held. Entrances 1, 7 and 10 are mobility friendly. For children's programming, entrances 4 and 5 provide the most direct access to the Norma Story Building.
Coffee, orange juice and water are available in the Gathering Hall and the Wesley Hall Welcome Area. Donuts are provided most Sundays in the Skybridge, which connects the church's two main buildings. The church also provides rides to the 9:00 service for members who arrange them with the church before 7:30 on Sunday morning. The ride team brings passengers to worship and returns them home after Sunday School.
El Servicio: A Monthly Spanish Worship Gathering
El Servicio is Pulaski Heights' Spanish-language worship experience, held at 4:00 p.m. in Wesley Hall on the Saturday following the first-Wednesday diaper distribution. Rev. Lupita Chavarria preaches, the Modern Worship team leads the music and every gathering includes the sacrament of Holy Communion. The entire service is conducted in Spanish.
The gathering serves both the congregation and the wider central Arkansas community. Pulaski Heights created it in response to the limited number of fully Spanish Protestant worship services in the region and the absence of such a service within the United Methodist Church in central Arkansas. Its emphasis is a graceful, welcoming service that invites people to the table.
Sunday School and Bible Study for Every Generation
Sunday School runs from 10:10 to 10:50 a.m. and includes infant and toddler nurseries, preschool classes, Rotation Sunday School for children in kindergarten through grade 4, confirmation preparation for grades 5-7, age-level classes for teenagers and classes for adults at every stage. Children meet in the Norma Story Building, while youth gather in the Youth Lounge and younger students move from the lounge to their own classes. The children's classrooms have air-filtration systems.
Adult classes are varied in format and subject. All Things Considered focuses on community mission; Crossroads is intergenerational and combines storytelling, devotionals, Bible and book study with mission projects; Good Apples examines social justice and community engagement; Newton Good News studies books by Christian authors; Roundtable uses BibleProject lessons to connect Scripture with everyday life; Tower emphasizes lively discussion and varied perspectives; and Vine and Branch serves young parents and couples navigating changes together. Several classes are open to people of all ages, while others are designed for couples, singles or particular age ranges. Some gather in person, while others are hybrid.
Wednesday night teaching begins with Dr. John Robbins' study of the Gospel of Matthew at 6:00 p.m. in Wesley Hall. A second in-person session is offered at 10:00 a.m. for people who cannot attend the evening gathering. Men Alive meets at 6:45 a.m. for a weekly discussion that connects a current world event with a spiritual component. The young adult small group meets at 6:00 p.m., while additional Bible and book groups gather throughout the week. Amplify, a Cokesbury video library, is also available for personal study or group discussion.
Children and Youth Grow in Discipleship
Children's ministries combine age-appropriate learning, music, service and the simple support of adults who know the young people in the congregation. Preschoolers begin in the lower floor of the Norma Story Building, and Rotation Sunday School for kindergarten through fourth grade occupies the upper floor. The children's choir for kindergarten through fourth grade meets on Sunday nights, and volunteers serve as nursery greeters, Family Nurture Team members and Sunday School leaders.
PhYouth welcomes students into an inclusive and supportive environment centered on faith for life. The ministry serves more than 150 young people each week through small groups, Bible study, Sunday School, service trips and conference events. Sunday School for grades 5-12 is at 10:10 a.m. in the Youth Area. Senior High youth meet from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. on Sundays in Wesley Hall, while Midyouth for grades 5-7 meets Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:45 p.m. in the gym. Senior High Bible study continues from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. Big Question Club gives students in grades 8-12 a place to discuss their biggest questions about God, and confirmation preparation continues the conversation through grades 5-7.
Music, the Great Organ and the Arts
Music is central to Pulaski Heights' identity. The Chancel Choir sings each Sunday in the televised 9:00 service and the 11:00 Classic service, rehearsing on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Choir membership is open throughout the year without an audition. Its goals include a full loft, a congregation that sings with joy, meaningful worship and music that inspires people to serve in the community. The Modern Worship Team leads the 11:00 service, and children's choir, technology, broadcast and lighting teams support the musical and technical work of worship.
The church's pipe organ has Great, Swell, Antiphonal, Pedal and Choir divisions, extensive ranks of pipes, multiple couplers and 32-foot stops in both the Pedal and Choir divisions. Music, Arts and Worship staff include Dr. Frode Gundersen, organist and associate music director Sungyun Kim, children's choir director Karen Clark, Modern Worship director Brooke Sanchez-Hobbs and worship associate Karsyn Helms.
The PHUMC Music Academy has operated for more than 30 years. Its instructors teach piano, voice, violin, cello, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and guitar, with family and adult students among those served. The academy joins worship, arts education and the broader belief that musical gifts can serve both the church and the community.
Fellowship Across the Lifespan
United Women in Faith has six circles with varied meeting times. Its vision is to turn faith, hope and love into action for women, children and youth around the world, while its ministry connects women through spiritual formation, leadership development, fellowship and education. Circle projects have included Camp Aldersgate, cereal for the food pantry, Miles of Pennies and collecting pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House.
PHMen provides men of all life stages with fellowship, discipleship and outreach through studies, life coaching, mission opportunities, retreats and events. Men Alive has met weekly for more than 25 years, using a current worldwide event as the starting point for spiritual discussion. PHMen breakfasts feature rotating speakers and are held on a first or second Friday each month.
The singles group for adults age 35 and older meets every other Thursday for Bible study and fellowship, with social activities that include monthly bowling. Young Adult Ministries hosts meals, activities and fellowship for people generally described as ages 22-35. Primetimers, the ministry for adults age 55 and older, gathers for meals, movies and fellowship. Smaller groups throughout the week make room for conversation, study, support and shared mission as part of the church's emphasis on “Believe. Belong. Be loved.”
A Network of Care That Follows People Home
Pulaski Heights' Caring Ministry Network has been active since 1979, when lay volunteers began reaching out to serve people in the congregation and community. Its work includes transportation to doctor appointments and worship, daily hospital visits, visits to people who are sick or lonely, Holy Communion for homebound people, food for families in grief and knitted prayer shawls. The network also includes Cancer Friends, In-Touch, Stephen Ministry, Helping Hands Respite Care, Holy Health and Recreation, and support groups.
Cancer Friends was founded in 1994 after a member's hospital experience inspired a program of pairing people facing cancer with someone who understood their experience. The ministry offers free support to patients, survivors and care partners regardless of church membership. Participants may be included in a prayer list, matched with an individual encourager and receive calls, emails, texts, in-person conversations and one-to-one prayer. A monthly Zoom support group, quarterly luncheons, greeting cards, food packages, transportation and advocacy are also available. Hundreds of volunteers have taken part over the years.
Stephen Ministry equips laypeople for confidential one-to-one Christian care. Stephen Ministers receive 50 hours of training and meet weekly with people experiencing hospitalization, bereavement, divorce, spiritual crisis, aging and other difficult transitions. The identity of those receiving care and the subjects they discuss remain private. The church also offers divorce and grief support, a memory-loss caregiver group, an intercessory prayer group and Helping Hands, a Tuesday respite gathering for family caregivers featuring gentle exercise, arts and crafts, devotionals, music, lunch and fellowship.
Food, Diapers and Clothes Close to Home
The PHUMC Food Pantry provides free nonperishable food to neighbors on the first Wednesday of every month from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. It operates from the lower parking deck off Lee Avenue in Parking Lot 3 and serves around 140 families each month. Food donations are accepted outside Entrance 9 during weekdays and during worship, and monetary gifts are also welcome. Volunteers package and distribute food and provide Spanish interpretation.
The Central Arkansas Diaper Bank began after a successful diaper drive in 2018 and opened in April 2019. It is a free resource for anyone in central Arkansas. On the first Wednesday of each month, families can register for diapers and collect them curbside from the upper parking deck in Parking Lot 2, off Woodlawn Drive. The bank has no paid staff, and 100 percent of monetary donations goes toward diapers. Spanish interpreters and volunteers for preparation and distribution are part of the ministry.
The Clothes Closet gathers professional, casual, athletic and children's clothing and distributes it to organizations serving adults, children and families in central Arkansas. Partner organizations include Little Rock Compassion Center, The Child Protection Center, Dorcas House and Union Rescue Mission, Women's and Children's First, St. Francis House, career clothing closets at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Central Arkansas, Our House, Goodwill Industries and She Builds.
Wakefield, Refugee Support and Wider Service
Wakefield Elementary School is Pulaski Heights' strongest local school partnership. The church collects books, school supplies, backpacks and uniforms for nearly 400 children, provides reading and homework tutoring, bags food and delivers it to the school, recognizes teachers with meals, snacks and other gifts, and supports Christmas sponsorship for about 300 children. More than 99 percent of Wakefield students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches, making the partnership's food and tutoring work especially important.
The church supports an Afghan refugee family settled in Arkansas through transportation, benefit coordination, babysitting, English tutoring and relationship-building. Its prison ministry sends books, socks and Christmas gifts to incarcerated men through the Arkansas Department of Community Correction. These ministries extend Pulaski Heights' concern for people who are poor, hungry, sick, marginalized, oppressed or confined.
Community partners include Methodist Family Health, Habitat for Humanity, Little Rock Compassion Center, St. Francis House, Dorcas House and Jericho Way. Together they address needs that include children's health, housing, homelessness, hunger, addiction, recovery and the particular crises faced by people who are displaced or underserved in Little Rock.
Guatemala and Disaster Response
Pulaski Heights has sent medical teams to Guatemala for more than 25 years. Its partnership with Salud y Paz, a local nonprofit, coordinates lodging, translators and surgical and medical locations. Two teams travel to the highlands of southwestern Guatemala: a medical, dental, willing-helper and youth team, and a surgery team. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dentists provide care to native Mayan communities that have limited access to health care.
Disaster response is another shared expression of mission. Arkansas Conference disaster coordinators train Early Response Teams for flooded and storm-damaged areas, and participating churches prepare volunteers for cleanup, home repairs and other needs. Pulaski Heights also sends youth on mission trips and supports special-needs athletes through programs such as Miracle League, where students serve as buddies for young people with special needs.
What Pulaski Heights Believes
As a United Methodist congregation, Pulaski Heights belongs to a connectional body grounded in the Articles of Religion, Social Principles and the Wesleyan understanding that Christian faith is revealed in Scripture, illuminated by tradition, vivified through personal experience and confirmed by reason. Its mission is to welcome all people to engage boldly and warmly with Christ and one another. Its core values of inclusion, relevance, leadership and community describe an open, life-affirming fellowship attentive to the world around it.
Baptism is understood as God's gift of unmerited grace through the Holy Spirit and the beginning of a lifelong journey of growing in grace. It incorporates a person into Christ, the church and its ministry through water and spirit. The church teaches that people are welcomed and nurtured as they deepen their love for God and neighbor.
United Methodist membership includes baptism, a professed faith in Christ and commitment to the local congregation through prayer, presence, gifts, service and witness. Pulaski Heights accepts baptisms from other Christian denominations and does not require another baptism. No class is required to join. People may make their commitment during worship or meet privately with a pastor. The What We Believe class and Coffee with a Pastor each meet twice a year, and people who live outside central Arkansas can remain connected through worship, television, online participation and service.
Weddings, Columbarium and Shared Space
Pulaski Heights provides weddings for members and nonmembers. Each ceremony is planned as Christian worship with church staff who work with couples on the service, policies and personal preferences. A wedding information booklet explains the policies, and a premarital seminar is part of the planning process. The church's Event and Space Request process also makes its rooms available to community groups and organizations for meetings and events.
For members and their families, the Columbarium Garden provides a place of worship, remembrance and celebration. A wall niche includes an urn and engraved memorial, while common-ground placement allows ashes to be laid in the garden and a paver to be engraved. The garden extends the congregation's long history of care into a setting designed for reflection and remembrance.
Worship, Giving and Connection
Attendance can be registered through the church's Connect Form, which recognizes members, first-time guests and repeat guests and records how people participated. The congregation also has an app for phones, tablets and televisions, and its past sermons remain available for reflection and study.
Giving is offered through an electronic portal, text-to-give and offering plates during worship. The online giving is handled through Subsplash, while contributions can also be made by mail. These gifts support worship, education, music, caring ministries and service throughout the church and its partners. Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church remains in Hillcrest with the same identity that has shaped it since 1912: a place for broad worship, intergenerational teaching, attentive care and mission carried from its central Little Rock campus into homes, schools, communities and partnerships around the world.