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 Brooks, Alice Chapman, Emma Chapman, Dallas Brooks, Ada Munn, Susie Chapman and Anthony Chapman. Between 1901 and 1911, the name of the church was changed from “Beulah’ to “Boeuf River Missionary Baptist Church”. During this time the Baptists and Methodists were meeting together in a “union” church building which was located near the site of the present high school gym. In May 1911, the church entered in a covenant to enable the church to have a correct roll and invited all members wishing to become member to have his or her name added to the roll. Present at this meeting were Bro. J.C. Dove, pastor, J.E. Richardson, Clerk, H.L. Mckaskle, G.B. Smith, R.L. Adams, A.J. Johnston, G.W. Hammett, and J.Y. Fowler. N.H. Anders, G.B. Smith, Thad Ingram, J.E. Richardson, and R.L. Adams were elected as delegates to the associational convention held in September, 1911. G.E. Richardson was elected as an alternate.

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 “Boeuf River” Baptist Church.

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.

The fellowship hall was enlarged in 2002.

The north wing of the educational building was completed remodeled in 2004.

On August 5, 2001, our church celebrated its centennial anniversary of service to the Lord.

Pastors of our Church

Rev. Lee Brooks	First Pastor
Rev. J.C. Dove	Unknown
Rev. Wood Land	Unknown
Rev. W.E. Chapman	Unknown
Rev. M.E. Miller	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