A Sacred Revival: Tarkington man’s mission to bring childhood church back to life

What once lay in ruins is now standing tall again, thanks to the unwavering faith and vision of one man, and the strength of a community bound by heritage and hope. On Thursday, June 12, Floyd Wheeler of Tarkington stood behind the pulpit of a nearly restored Wakefield Methodist Church that shaped his childhood—a modest 24-by-36-foot wooden structure that once served as the spiritual heartbeat of the Wakefield community in north Polk County.

“God gave me an assignment about 15 to 20 years ago to do this,” Wheeler explained, addressing a small group of fellow descendants of former congregants. “Of course, I procrastinated, but then we got started on it.”

Wakefield Methodist Church, located just north of Corrigan, had been vacant and collapsing for decades. It finally succumbed to gravity and decay, tipping to one side before falling off its foundation completely. But Wheeler never forgot it. While others might have seen the building as another building lost to time, Wheeler saw the church as sacred ground—worthy of resurrection.

With permission from the Methodist Church organization and a deep personal conviction, Wheeler began the restoration process. Using hydraulic jacks, he and a small team, including volunteers, stabilized the building. They tied one section to a large tree and slowly began lifting the structure off the ground. It was the first visible step in a long journey to breathe life back into the church.

As the walls were lifted and the roof re-secured, something intangible began to rise with it: the spirit of a community once bound together by this house of worship.

“It’s been a short two years since then, but I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it,” Wheeler reflected. “Hopefully we can continue the progress.”

The Wakefield community, once a quiet enclave of cotton farmers, cattlemen, and timber workers, was never a thriving metropolis—but it was home. The church served as a central gathering place, particularly for its small but devoted congregation. Wheeler recalled attending services as a boy, singing in the choir, and joining a couple dozen others—many of them youth—in worship.

The church lost its final pastor, Rev. Wesley Wheeler, to a car accident. Without a spiritual leader, the congregation dwindled. Decades passed, and the building deteriorated.

Now, the revival effort has brought the church back from the brink. Most of the original floor and wall boards were salvaged and reused. A new roof and windows were installed, and fresh pews were built by hand. Currently powered by a generator, Wheeler hopes to add permanent utilities, including electricity, running water, and a bathroom.

“Right now, we’re just taking it one step at a time,” he said. He also hopes to secure a historical marker for the site to ensure that its legacy is recognized and preserved.

The church property is bordered by the historic Wheeler Cemetery, where generations of local residents have been laid to rest. The oldest grave dates back to 1875—that of a 15-year-old girl killed in a hunting accident. Her grieving family donated the land that would become the community cemetery.

While the estimated $50,000 restoration cost reflects the physical work required, Wheeler emphasizes that the effort and the expenses were not his alone. He relied heavily on other Wakefield Church descendants, who helped share the burden and kept the project going.

Though he refers to the effort as a mission from God, Wheeler is reluctant to take personal credit. When asked how it feels to bring the church this far after so many years, he paused and then said, “I don’t feel proud, but I feel good. I feel good that we have been able to help restore this church.”

It is not yet clear whether the church will again become an active house of worship, though Wheeler is hopeful. Due to deed restrictions on the property, it cannot be used for any purpose other than religious services, funerals, community events or historic preservation.

But if the walls could speak, they would already be telling stories of perseverance, memory, and faith. And for Floyd Wheeler and the Wakefield descendants who rallied behind him, those stories are still being written—one board, one prayer, and one faithful step at a time.