History of our church
In August
of 1901, our church was organized under the name of “Beulah”. The members met in a small one room school
house located directly across the road from Mrs. Clara Horne’s Home. The pastor was Bro. Lee Brooks, and J.R.
Chapman was a deacon. Other members
present were Julian
On July 6, 1912, R.L. Adams, Jasper Adams, J.T. Ingram and J.E. Richardson were elected deacons by acclamation and were ordained on August 3, 1912.
In 1913, regular meeting times were set for the first and third Saturday and Sunday of each month with business meeting to be held on the first Saturday of each month.
In 1914, a separate building was built across the road where
the Masonic Lodge is located today. The
church’s name was changed to “
In June 1919, A.J. Hawsey, W.E. Underwood, J.A. Ingram and G.F. Peel were ordained as deacons.
In July of 1920, a mission was established at Fort. During this time a revival was held at the church and 43 professions of faith were made.
In December of 1923, a committee was appointed for the building of a new church building, Committee members were J.E. Richardson, J.A. Ingram, J.T. Ingram, G.W. Hammett, R.L. Adams, G.F. Peel, Dr. G.W. Durham and J.E. Madden. In March of 1925, the church voted to build a new church building. Due to unknown circumstances a new building was not built until 1942. The building was built on the same site.
The first Vacation Bible School was held in 1946. W.A. Jones was the principal and Evelyn Henderson from the Louisiana Baptist Convention was the assistant principal.
On August 1, 1948, the church voted to build a new church building and a parsonage on a different site. The land was donated by I.B. Ingram. The parsonage was to be finished first. On July 3, 1949, the church voted to let the contract on the foundation and walls of the present building. In 1950, regular services began in the new building.
In February of 1949, a church library was started.
In 1954, the old church building was sold to the Masonic Lodge. In June, air conditioning was installed in the auditorium.
During 1955, the church voted to build an educational building. The building was finished in the same year.
With the help of Dr. R.E. King, State Senator, the parking lot was hard surfaced with asphalt in July of 1959.
In 1973, a new church parsonage was built on a different location and the old parsonage sold.
In 1977, remodeling of the church was done. Carpet was added to the auditorium. New kitchen cabinets were installed. New tile floors were installed throughout the Sunday school rooms and in the fellowship hall. Paneling was installed, the walls painted, and the ceilings were re-done.
In 1984, central air conditioning was added to include all the church.
In 1992, the choir loft was extended one row and carpet was installed throughout the auditorium. The nursery was also re-carpeted at this time.
In 2000, new restrooms, pastor’s study, and library facilities were added to the downstairs east wing.
On August 5, 2001, our church celebrated its centennial anniversary of service to the Lord.
The fellowship hall was enlarged in 2002.
The north wing of the educational building was completely remodeled in 2004.
Purchased new 2008 edition of the Baptist Hymnal in July.
In January of 2009 purchased public address system for the Fellowship Hall and in March, land east of church was purchased which included the old parsonage.
March 2010 windows were replaced in the sanctuary.
Complete remodel of old parsonage into a youth activity annex in 2011.
In April 2012, 16 round tables and 128 chairs for the fellowship hall were purchased.
In October 2013, insulated windows were installed in church educational building.
Pastors of our Church
Rev. Lee Brooks |
First Pastor |
Rev. J.C. Dove |
Unknown |
Rev. Wood Land |
Unknown |
Rev. W.E. Chapman |
Unknown |
|
Unknown |
Rev. J.A. Oliver |
Unknown |
Rev. J.M. Ellerbe |
Unknown |
Rev. B.J. Adams |
July 1913 – September 1913 |
Rev. F.E. Morgan |
October 1913 – October 1914 |
Rev. J.O. Fogleman |
November 1914 – October 1916 |
Rev. T.M. Elerby |
October 1916 – January 1920 |
Rev. J.B. Perry |
January 1920 – February 1922 |
Rev. A.H. Cullen |
April 1922- February 1923 |
Rev. Amos Oyer |
March 1923 – June 1924 |
Rev. J. Henry Keys |
August 1924 – September 1925 |
Rev. G.B. Foster |
January 1926 – May 1929 |
Rev. T.J. Ratcliff |
July 1929 – May 1948 |
Rev. Louis B. Jones |
August 1948 – June 1951 |
Rev. Andrew Foster |
July 1951 – May 1952 |
Rev. W.E. Bucklew |
June 1952 – August 1954 |
Rev. Joe Silvio |
November 1954 – January 1958 |
Rev. Jimmy Hipp |
September 1958 – September 1960 |
Rev. Meredith Hair |
October 1960 – October 1965 |
Rev. Harold Davis |
June 1966 – October 1971 |
Rev. Earl Gibson |
February 1972 – February 1975 |
Rev. Woodson McGuffie |
July 1975 – June 1977 |
Rev. Clemen T. Smith |
August 1977 – July 1982 |
Rev. Randy Bowman |
October 1982 – April 1983 |
Rev. Bruce Cardin |
September 1983 – May 1991 |
Dr. Paul Kolb |
September 1991- December 2001 |
Rev. Jimmy Harper |
April 2002 – August 2009 |
Rev. Curtis Smith |
February 2010 - March 2013 |