Church: Bethel Baptist, Colfax Grant Parish Louisiana
Alexandira Town Talk  Saturday May 5, 1984.
Submitted to USGENWEB by
Gloria F. Bingham




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100th  YEAR CELEBRATED BY COLFAX BETHEL BAPTISTS

Bethel Baptist Church will celebrate its 100th anniversay in services at 11 am
Sunday, May 5, 1984 with the Rev. Moses Mercer as guest speaker.

After the services, there will be a dinner on the grounds followed by a 2pm
singing, during which former pastors will speak.

The church actuall dates from at least 1871 whendelegates from Bethelmet with
representative of Big Creek Baptist Association.  Bethel reported to the
association
annually thriough 1874 when its membership was numbered at 46.

The first pastor of record was M. D.Young and pioneer preacher J. C. Hale
figured prominently in the church's early leadership as well as thatof other
central LA. congregations.

After an absence of six years, the church again presented itself for
membership to the Big Creek Association in 1881 at which time the church
listed 20 members.  In those early years, Bethel was a "fourth-time" pastorate
with meeting being held once a month.  

In 1984, the church was established enough to host the Big Creek Association
meeting. Bethel briefly disbanded in 1897 but was reorganized in 1900.  Also
in 1900 the congregation erected its first chirch building of which there is
record, although there are indications that another building had preceeded it.

The simple structure was torn dowm in the 1903's and another frame building
was erected that served the congregations needs until 1956 when amore
elaborate building  was constructed with an added kitchen, recreation room and
baptistry.

The 1956 church was later moved from the premises when the new education
building was completed in 1979. The present brick sanctuary also dates from
that time.

Bethel began conducting weekly services in 1949 and has since consistently
grown in membership.  The church rolls were also bolstered by three major
revivals in 1918, 1934 and 1938.

Of the church's many pastors, the present one, Rev. Lloyd Whitman, appears to
have served the church the longest.  Whitman has been pastor at Bethel since
October 1968.



Thanks

Memomy