Caring for a Batesville landmark. Roof replacement at First Presbyterian Church

This past summer our crew had the privilege of replacing the roof at First Presbyterian Church in Batesville. For many of us who grew up in Independence County, this is more than just another building. It is one of those places that quietly anchors our town, welcoming families for worship, choir practice, day school drop off, and community events year after year.

When the church called 2J’s Custom Roofs, they were not only asking for a new roof. They were asking us to help protect a piece of Batesville history.

A short history of First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church of Batesville was organized in 1842, making it one of the earliest Presbyterian congregations in Arkansas and one of the oldest churches in the Arkansas Presbytery.

The church’s story is woven together with the story of Lyon College. When Arkansas College opened in 1872, its first permanent campus sat on the same downtown block the church occupies today. Morrow Hall, the brick academic building that still stands beside the church, was the college’s original classroom building and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a beautiful example of Italianate and simple Victorian Renaissance style.

When the college moved to its current campus in the 1950’s, First Presbyterian acquired Morrow Hall and other nearby structures. The Long Memorial Building from the old campus was eventually removed to make room for the present sanctuary and church facilities.

Today the church complex on East Boswell includes the sanctuary, fellowship and classroom spaces, and a weekday day school, and it continues to serve Batesville as a place of worship, education, and community service.

What we found on the roof

By the time we were called in, the existing roof had already done decades of hard work. Our inspection showed:

Aging shingles nearing the end of their service life

Areas of wear around flashing, chimneys, and transitions between the sanctuary and adjoining buildings

Signs the roof was beginning to struggle with heavy Ozark rains

On a historic church like this, roof problems risk more than a little water intrusion. They threaten stained glass, old plaster, woodwork, and even the historic masonry. Our goal was to install a new roofing system that would handle Arkansas weather while respecting the character of the building beneath it.

Installing a modern roofing system that fits a historic campus:

Upgraded materials chosen for long term performance

For this project the church selected Malarkey Highlander architectural shingles, a durable shingle known for its impact resistance, strong granule adhesion, and enhanced protection against algae staining. ABC Supply Company provided all materials, and we appreciated the partnership and support throughout the project.

Clayton with Malarkey Roofing Products and Billy with ABC Supply even visited the jobsite during installation to review progress, answer technical questions, and provide on site support. Their involvement helped ensure the church received the highest quality installation possible.

Thorough inspection and planning

We began with a detailed walkthrough of each roof section, inside and out. That included the sanctuary, the education building, and the areas around Morrow Hall. We identified problem spots, checked the decking condition, and made a plan for repairs and reinforcements.

We then met with church leaders to talk through timelines, access points, noise, and safety around the day school and parking lots.

Protecting the property and grounds

Historic campuses often sit on tight downtown lots with limited access, so before any tear off began we protected landscaping, established material staging zones, and planned dumpster placement to keep entrances and walkways clear.

Careful tear off and structural repairs

Once everything was protected, we carefully removed the old shingles and inspected the decking underneath. Any compromised or weakened decking was replaced so the new Malarkey system had a solid foundation. We paid special attention to valleys and transitions between buildings, since water loves to find weak points in those areas.

Installing the new roof

With repairs complete, our crew installed the Malarkey Highlander system and upgraded flashings, underlayment, and ventilation. The finished roof complements the church’s historic architecture and gives the campus a clean, unified look from East Boswell and College Street.

Final cleanup and walkthrough

Church activity stays steady even on weekdays, so cleanup mattered as much as installation. We completed a full magnetic nail sweep, picked up debris throughout the campus, and walked the project with church leaders so everyone understood the work performed.

Why this project mattered to our team

At 2J’s Custom Roofs, most of our days are spent on homes across White and Independence County and the surrounding areas. We love that work. But projects like First Presbyterian in Batesville feel different.

This congregation has been worshiping together since before the Civil War. The block under their feet once taught generations of Arkansas College students. Today kids still run up those steps for day school, and families still gather under that roof to celebrate weddings, baptisms, holidays, and community events.

Helping protect that story for future generations is exactly why we are in the roofing business.

Does your church or historic building need a roof inspection

If you help care for a church, school, or older home in Batesville or the surrounding communities and you are not sure how your roof is holding up, we would be glad to take a look.

We can:

Inspect the current roof and explain what we see

Prioritize repairs and upgrades so you can plan your budget

Coordinate work around worship services and weekday ministries

Call 2J’s Custom Roofs to schedule a visit, and let us help you protect the places that matter most in your community.