Church Records: Gilgal Baptist Church, Claiborne Parish, LA Submitted for the LAGenWeb Archives by: Mary Ellen Dickerson Sep 2003 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From Original Church Record of Gilgal Baptist Church, Located on Parish Rd. #131, Claiborne Parish, LA. In 1976, this record was in the possession of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Almond, Minden, LA Copied by Mary Ellen Caldwell Dickerson, Haughton, LA The following names were listed on inside front cover with no explanation: C. A. Baker Nolan Fry E. A. Baker C. C. Caldwell Earnest Fry C. J. Beck M. J. Hough T. C. Gibson* Walter Almond J. W. Adams T. J. Kemp Edwin Adams G. H. Fincher H. Maddry Glen Hough J. J. Almond Cal. Fry Roy Gibson W. M. Almond A. Dutton Arnold Almand (sic) J. J. Jones Jay Fry F. B. Bridgeman B. L. Fry C. A. Miller John Botzong A. D. Adams Frank Fry Marvin Almond W. J. Fry W. E. Hough Frank Harris H. H. Almond Ross Hough *This could be Gipson. Note: There may be misspelled names or duplications, but I copied them as I saw them. On the following page, there was another list of names. The page was entitled "Male Members of Gilgal Church." J. N. Youngblood dis Jesse Miller C. A. Baker dis E. S. Richardson H. P. Hough dead W. W. Bridwell J. W. Norman dis George Alexander C. C. Caldwell Tillie Adkins M. J. Hough Floyd Youngblood dis T. J. Fry Vander Almond dis J. W. Adams Jasper Lee G. H. Fincher Eugene Adkins J. J. Almond W. C. Harris D. M. Fincher A. L. Jones dead J. M. (?) Fincher J. J. Jones T. J. Kemp Sidney Caldwell dis Harmon Maddry W. M. Almond P. L. White dis B. L. Fry J. E. Youngblood G. E. Fry Henry Morris A. D. Adams Henry Gordon John Orear John Lary (or Lang) Thomas David dis Ben Fincher dis W. J. Fry Cleve Turner Earnest Fry Earnest Brantley dead T. D. Gipson Jessee Gresham excluded G. J. Miller Fate Almond John Lee, Jr. Joe Avery Shelly Knighton dis Lem Fry C. M. Knighton dis W. E. Hough Robert Baker Ross Hough Calvin Fry Edgar Baker Grover Fry Perry Caldwell dis Arthur Dutton Foster Youngblood June Fry C. J. Beck Dennie Miller dis Frank Harris Jesse Almond Walter Almond John Adams Edwin Adams Carl Gresham excl Glen Hough Jimmie Norman Roy Gipson Julius Lary Arnold Almond Anus (or Arus) Miller Leary Ratcliff Jimmie Beck Wilber Ratcliff dis Frank Fry Walter Ratcliff Drew Roberts F. B. Bridgeman Lloyd Alexander John Botzong Garfield Jones excl J. F. Lary Lonnie Frye _______? Rathbun ________? Botzong Marvin Almond Excluded - could say expired. "Dis" when a member moved or for some reason changed churches, the member was given a letter of dismission. There followed a list of ladies' names with no explanation: Sallie Kemp Ever(?) Gibson Bettie Almond Mattie Fry Lois Adams Bulah Kemp M. A. Batton Kate Fry Mollie Bridwell Essie Fuller Georgia Lee Stella Jones Easter (?) Fry Pearl Beck Emma Fincher Hope Beck Fannie Beck Myrtle Almond Amanda O'rear Fimi (?) Dutton Nettie Maddry Detta (?) Botzong Irene Fry Jodie Hough Female Members of Gilgal Church A. A. Beck dead Hattie Adkins Sallie Kemp Lela Hough dead Bettie Almond Maggie Alexander Lou Adams Mary Fincher M. A. Batton E. J. Caldwell (Elizabeth Jane) M. A. Goens (Goins) Nancy Caldwell dis Mildred Youngblood Nora Brantley Mollie Bridwell Mary L. David Georgia Lee Sallie Roberts Kate Youngblood dead Bulah Kemp Easter Fry Egan (?) Knighton E. M. Hough dead Mrs. Jane Adkins Sammie Harris Kate Fry Georgia Norman dis Essie Fuller Mollie Alexander dead Carrie Woodard Emma Fincher Mrs. John Lee, Jr. Georgia Turner dis Lena McKinnis (?) dead Fannie Beck Bessie Shaw Lilla Hough Glover Fincher dis Amanda Orear Stella Jones Netter Maddrey Fannie Jones May Beck Pearl Beck Irene Fry Hope Beck Ever Gipson Myrtle Almond Mattie Fry Minonette Fry The names listed below were apparently added after original ledger was written. Ledger was written in ink; added names in pencil. (*) indicates pencil-written names. Vinnie Almond Eddie Almond Flena (Flera?) Bridwell dis Ira Harris dis Stella Youngblood dis Alice Harris Florence Miller dis Delta Jones Botzong* Onie Sanders Ida Jones Pair* Maud Bridwell Jodie Adams Hough* Edith Baker dis Eula Bridwell Fimie Fry Dutton* Minnie Beck Bertha Folk Eva Fuller dis Sallie Folk dis Bessie Batton dis Jerri W. Adkins Lucy May Harris Plummer* ________? Adkins Smithie (?) DeLoch Esther Smith Ellen DeLoch Mary Roberts Ida DeLoch Myrtle Youngblood dis May Hosey Jessie Cry By letter Minnie Hosey Allie Cry Birdie Cry Fabra David Barbara Adams Miller* Annie Fry dead Miss Eula Bridwell Cammie Adkins dead Lucille Baker By letter Fannie Fincher Ruth Sears Nora Youngblood dis Annie Kemp Clara Bridwell dis Minnie Smith Clary Fry Smith* Eula Elkins Mrs. Stella Miller dead Bettie Beck Jessie Fincher Mrs. C. A. Baker dis Bettie Lee dis Vern Hough dis Lena Fretwell Mrs. Fannie Bridgeman By death Mrs. May Beck Note: Please remember all spelling is copied as seen in the original record. Saturday, April 1, 1911 After preaching by the pastor the church held conference. After some discussion The church dicided to send a deligate to the called Session of the State Convention to meet in Alexandria 5th Apr. elected C. A. Baker deligate Saturday, May 6, 1911 After preaching by Bro. J. P. Dunham (or Durham) the church held conference Granted letters of dismissions to Mrs. Sallie Dickson and Robert and Edith Baker In the matter of granting a letter of dismission to P. L. White defered from our last meeting. Bro. Youngblood stated that Bro White had sent in acknowledgements the same was received and a letter of dismission granted to Bro White C. A. Baker L. A. Lee ch clerk M. O. D. Saturday June 3 1911 After preaching by the pastor the church went into conference and decided to have a days of meeting beginning Saturday before first Sunday in August. Granted a letter of dismission to Mrs. Harrie Brandon adjourned C. A. Baker L. A. Lee ch clerk MOD Saturday July 1 1911 After preaching by the pastor the church had conference. Read and approved minutes of last meeting Appointed a committee consisting J. W. Adams, June Fry and C. A. Baker to employ some to fix the organ. Appointed Missie Maude Bridwell Jodie Adams Bertha Hough to collect funds to pay for Same C. A. Baker L. A. Lee ch clerk MOD Saturday Aug 5 1911 After preaching by Bro Murray the church held conference The committee to have organ repaired reported that the work had been done And same paid for report back The committee to collect funds for the repairs stated that they were not Ready to report continued the meeting until the following Friday and received Mrs. Jessie Fincher and Stella Miller by letter and W. E. Hough, Lena Fretwell, Pears Hough, Edgar Baker, Perry Caldwell, Bettie Lee and Foster Youngblood by experience and baptism. C. A. Baker adjourned ch clerk L. A. Lea MOD Sunday Oct 1st 1911 After burial (or funeral) Services conducted by Bro W. C. Bryon The church held conference gave and (sic) opportunity for members and Received Kate and Effie Beck by letter Granted letters of dismission to Prof. E. S. Richardson, Mrs. Sammie Harris and Grover Fry. This being the time to call pastor, Bro Morgan was called the chair and the Church presided to call pastor for another Bro L U Comalander was Elected pastor. The call was made unanimous. The letter to the association was read and approved C. A. Baker L. A. Lea ch clerk mod Sunday Nov 12 1911 After preaching by the pastor the church held conference and appointed W. H. Hough, J. M. Fry, J. N Youngblood and G. H. Fincher messengers To the State Convention C. A. Baker L U Comalander ch clerk mod Dec 1911 and Jan 1912 Had no meeting on account of bad weather clerk Sunday Feb 12 1912 After preaching by the pastor the church was called into conference as there was no business to attend too (sic) conference adjourned C. A. Baker L. U. Comalander ch clerk mod Sunday June 2 1912 After preaching by Bro. A. N. Murrey the church held conference. Bro Murrey was chosen moderator. The clerk was instructed to prepare A list of names of the church members for Bro. Youngblood in order to raised (sic) the pastors Salary. As Bro. Comalander had moved away and left us without a pastor the church Went into call of pastor for balance of the year Bro A. N. Murrey was called to care of the church by acclamation. Changed days of meeting back to the first Sunday. C. A. Baker A. N. Murrey ch clerk mod Saturday July 6 1912 After preaching by the pastor the church held conference A motion to continue of next meeting and the matter of help left with the pastor was carried. Granted a letter of dismission to Sister J. C. Palmer C. A. Baker A. N. Murrey ch clerk mod Sunday Aug 4 Continued the meeting until the following Thursday night. Bro C. C. Walker assisted the pastor. Received during the meeting Bro. C. J. Beck and Sister May & Bettie Beck Clerk Sunday Sept. 7 1912 After preaching by the pastor the church met in conference and appointed Bro J. N. Youngblood, W. E. Hough., W. M. Almond, J. M. Fry, W. C. Harris and T. J. Fry alternates C. A. Baker Granted a letter of dismission to Sister Carrie Woodard. It being our regular time will call a pastor next meeting day. C. A. Baker A. N. Murrey ch clerk mod Sunday Oct 6, 1912 After preaching by the pastor the church met in conference This being the time to call a pastor our present pastor was put in Nomination and was called by standing vote A motion to settle with our pastor at our next meeting was carried. The pastor made a proposition to the church that they pay him Ten dollars for each trip. The church accepted the same. For the convience (sic) of the pastor the church voted to meet At three o clock on Saturday of our next meeting. C. A. Baker A. N. Murrey ch clerk mod Saturday Feb 1 1913 After preaching by the pastor the church met in conference Granted letter of dismission to Bro. J. M. Norman and wife and Son Jimmie Norman The church withdrew fellowship from Jesse and Carl Gresham. The pastor appointed C. A. Baker, W. E. Hough, J. N. Youngblood, J. W. Adams and Edgar a committee to see the following Brethren Ed. Youngblood, G. J. Milten, Dennie Miller, Jessee Almond, Melvin Jones, Garfield Jones and Lonnie Fry as it is reported that they are guilty of un Christian conduct. C. A. Baker A. N. Murray* ch clerk mod *note different spelling Saturday Apr 5 1913 After preaching by the pastor the church met in conference called for a report from the committee continued from last meeting Bro. J. W. Adams reported that he had seen Bro. J. G. Miller that Bro. Miller stated that he was Sorry for his conduct and ask the church to forgive him. The clerk also stated that he had talked to Bro. Miller and Melvin Jones that Bro Miller made about the same statement to him that he did Bro. Adamsand that Bro Jones said that he did not intend to make any acknowledgements. Received Bro Millers acknowledgements and continued committee to see Bro. Jones and the others that had not been seen Bro J. N. Youngblood made acknowledgements to the church which was received. C. A. Baker A. N. Murray ch clerk mod Saturday Dec 6 1913 After preaching by the pastor the church met in conference Granted a letter of dismission to Sister A. W. Bridwell Saturday After preaching by pastor church met in con Granted** Saturday May 6 1914 The church met in conference Granted letters of dismission to Tomas David & wife. C. A. Baker A. N. Murray clerk mod Sunday After preaching held conference. Saturday June 6 1914 After preaching by the pastor the church met in conference Granted letters of dismission to Bro J. T. Harris and wife, Having being no other business conference adjourned C. A. Baker A. N. Murray ch clerk mod **This is exactly as it appeared in the book. Saturday Sept 5 1914 After preaching by the pastor the church met in conference read and approved minutes of last meeting Granted a letter of dismission to Sister Florence Miller decided to call a pastor at our next meeting day Saturday Oct. 4, 1914 After preaching by Bro. C. C. Walker the church met in conference Read and approved minutes of last meeting Granted letters of dismission to Sister Clara Bridwell and Bro. D. M. Fincher appointed C. A. Baker, J. M. Fry, J. W. Adams, W. M. Almond, G. H. Fincher messengers to the association.. called our present pastor by Standing vote for another year. adjourned C. A. Baker C. C. Walker ch clerk mod ________? _______? Sunday Mar 28 1915 After preaching by the pastor the church met in conference received Bro E. P. Bridgeman and wife by letter into full fellowship of the church. They had previously been received under watch care of the church Bro John Botzong who was under watch care of church Sent in his church letter and was received adjourned C. A. Baker A. N. Murray mod ch clerk Sunday Apr 25 1915 Sunday May 23rd 1915 After preaching by the pastor the church met in conference Read and approved minutes of last meeting. Granted a letter of dismission by Sister Ethel Myers adjourned C. A. Baker A. N. Murray ch clerk mod Sunday July 25 1915 according to the previous arrangement the church began a series of meeting which continued until the following Friday night. received Annie B. Fry, Mattie Lary, Novie Botzong, Mrs. Nettie Pierce, Corette Bridwell, Lovic Fry, Arnold Almond by experience Sunday July 25 1915 the pastor was assisted by Bro. Walters. Appointed Bren G. H. Fincher, J. M. Fry, C. A. Baker to select or recommend some brethren for deacons of this church C. A. Baker A. N. Murray ch clerk mod Sunday Aug 22 1915 The pastor being absent had no preaching The church held conference Bro G. H. Fincher acting as moderator. The committ appointed to recommend some brethren for deacon Stated that they had nothing to report continued the committee agreed to call a pastor on our next meeting day appointed W. E. Hough, J. M. Fry, C. A. Baker, W. M. Almond, G. H. Fincher, J. C. Bridgeman to represent us in the association. Granted letters of dismissal to Myrtle and Clara Youngblood. C. A. Baker G. H. Fincher ch clerk Mod Pre Term Pastor Sunday Sept 19 1915 After preaching by the pastor the church met in conference The committee continued from last meeting recommeded Bren G. H. Fincher, W. E. Hough, J. C. Bridgeman for deacons of this church and they were elected to that office. As our pastor had resigned and this being the day call a pastor for another year. Bro C. B. Gates was unanimously called to the care of the church. C. A. Baker A. N. Murray ch clerk mod Gilgal Sunday Nov 28 1915 After preaching by Bro. C. B. Gates the church met in conference Read and approved minutes of last meeting Bro Gates accepted care of the church for the ensuing year. Appointed a committee consisting Leary Ratcliff, C. A. Baker, and Miss Pink Adams to collect funds to buy a heater for the church Elected Bro Leary Ratcliff Treasurer of the church. Pay the pastor monthly as far as possible. C. A. Baker C. B. Gates ch clerk mod Fourth Sunday in Dec. Pastor absent no conference Sunday Jan 26, 1916 After preaching by the pastor the church met in conference Read corrected and approved minutes of last meeting C. A. Baker C. B. Gates c clerk mod Sunday Feb 27 1916 After preaching by the pastor the church met in conference Read and approved minutes of last meeting. The church elected Bren Leary Ratcliff & W. M. Almond to the deaconship of the church will attend to the ordination of the Bren at our next meeting day Left it with our pastor to select presbytery for the same. adjourned C. A. Baker C. B. Gates c clerk mod Sunday Mar 25, 1916 After preaching by the pastor the church met in conference Read and approved minutes of last meeting ordained Bren G. H. Fincher, Leary Ratcliff, to the deaconship of the church. The pastor was assisted in the ordination by Bren T. H. Colbert and W. C. Hamilton The clerk asked for letters of dismission for Ben Fincher and wife. The matter was defered (sic) until our next meeting day. C. A. Baker C. B. Gates ch clerk mod Sunday April 23 1916 After preaching by the Pastor the church met in conference Read and approved minutes of last meeting The clerk made a report in the case of granting Bro. Fincher a letter of dismission from our last meeting. The matter was still continued and Bren Leary Ratcliff and W. E. Hough was appointed to see him C. A. Baker C. B. Gates c clerk mod Sunday May 28 1916 After preaching by the pastor the church met in conference read and approved minutes of last meeting Bro. Ratcliff of the committ see (?) Bro. Fincher (Ben) and that he made acknowledgements and denied a letter of dismission to join Minden church therefore letters of dismission were gratned to himself and wife.. Will continued the meeting from the fourth Sunday in July, Pastor to do the preaching. C. A. Baker C. B. Gates ch clerk mod Sunday June 25 1916 After preaching by the pastor the church met in conference Granted a letter of dismission to Miss Beatrice Fry Invited Bro Simmons to conduct the Singing during the meeting C. A. Baker C. B. Gates ch clerk mod Sunday July 23, 1916 After preaching by the pastor the church met in conference This brings our time to call pastor proceeded to call past which resulted in the unanimous choice of Bro. Gates appointed Bren G. H. Fincher, W. E. Hough, C. A. Baker, J. M. Fry, Leary Ratcliff, Fate Almond messengers to the association Granted letters of dismission to Bro J. N. Youngblood and wife and son Foster Floyd Youngblood & wife & sister Victoria Kilpatrick Note: On the last page was a list of churches, seemingly to represent a church circuit in the area. They were as follows: Antioch Athens Gilgal Haynesville Hebron Holy Springs Homer Mt. Olive New Friendship New Hope Oak Grove Rocky Springs Summerfield Weldon This concludes the record of the Gilgal Baptist Church, Claiborne Parish, LA. # # #