Midway Baptist Church, LaSalle Parish, La. Copied by Tia M. Masters Submitted by Kathy LeMay Kelly, P.O. Box 219 Trout, La. 71371 From the Jena Times Olla Tullos Signal, Jena, LaSalle Parish, La. Section B Page 1, Wednesday, January 20, 1999. ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** TIPS FOR SEARCHING RECORDS ON THE INTERNET Netscape & Ms Explorer users: If you are searching for a particular surname, locality or date while going through the records in the archives or anywhere....try these few steps: 1. Go to the top of the report you are searching. 2. Click on EDIT at the top of your screen 3. Next click on FIND in the edit menu. 4. When the square pops up, enter what you are looking for in the FIND WHAT ___________blank. 5. Click on DIRECTION __DOWN. 6. And last click on FIND NEXT and continue to click on FIND NEXT until you reach the end of the report. This should highlight the item that you indicated in "find what" every place it appears in the report. You must continue to click on FIND NEXT till you reach the end of the report to see all of the locations of the item indicated. Last Sunday Morning... Midway Baptist Church dedicates new sanctuary Members of Midway Baptist Church, joined by many guests, gathered last Sunday morning to dedicated their new church sanctuary and re-dedicate their lives to the Lord. Rev. Rick Feazell, pastor, led the congregation during the dedication service. The Midway choir rendered several special selections and the congregation joined in the singing of other selected hymns. Also recognized during the service were members of the building committee who has directed the project over the past two years, along with family members of two charter members, special guests and several people who actually had a part in the construction of the facility. The $708,00 sanctuary includes a 450 seat worship center, one new Sunday School class, four restrooms, a large foyer and a fellowship center. During the past three years, more than $370,000 has been raised toward the construction cost with the church borrowing about $340,00 to complete the facility. During a brief history of the project, Rev. Feazell noted, "Good things come to those who wait. Midway Baptist Church has waited for this day for several years. The blessings of God brought about an increase to the size of this church family. Room was needed in all areas of our ministry including worship, education, and fellowship." "Midway Baptist Church sought the direction of God in this mater," he continued. "After much prayer, the church determined that God was leading them to construct a new auditorium for His worship and praise. The other needs would be addressed through modifications to the existing building." An architect was retained to submit a Master Plan for this project in 1996. This plan was received, prayed over, modified, discussed and modified again, the pastor stated. Construction documents were initiated as were preliminary items such as surveys and soil testing. Bids were received and the planning process came to an end on May 6, 1998, when the church unanimously voted to proceed with construction. A notice to proceed was signed with Foster Construction Company on May 18, 1998. "God has been faithful to lead, direct and bless us in this project," Rev. Feazell stated. "May we be faithful in our service and good stewards of His provision." During this dedication program, Deacon Cleveland Poole, on behalf of the church family, presented Rev. Feazell with a plaque in recognition of his ten year of service to God and members of Midway Baptist Church. Church History Midway Baptist Church had its beginning not in confusion nor division but from the strong desire of a few men to sing praises unto God. It was during the year of 1921 when three friends met together and wanted to have a singing. A question of where such a gathering would be held was discussed and the thought of a new church for the Midway community was born. This was prompted by the fact that many people would not or did not attend the Baptist churches at Goodpine or Jena. As the idea grew, the men began work on the building. They took their saws and axes into the neighboring woods and began to cut and collect timbers for the foundation of the church building. Work days were held and the men gave freely of their time and labor while the ladies of the community banded together to furnish food and refreshments as the men labored. Two outside carpenters were employed to help in the construction of the building. They were Paul Trichelll and Buck Walker. Generous contributions were made that were of a great help to the young church. The land on which our church is located was donated by Judge F. E. Jones and Mr. J. B. Wright. The Goodpine Lumber Company made generous contributions of lumber. Through much work and prayer, a 40' x 60' structure was erected as our first church building. In those early days, curtains were used as partitions for Sunday School rooms/ Heating in the winter was provided by wood heaters. Advertising fans supplied by various firms were used for summer cooling. In 1923, the small group of worshippers became an organized Baptist church consisting of some twenty or so member. The Charter Members of Midway Baptist Church were: Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Stanley, Mr. Roscoe Stanley, Miss Gladys Stanley, Miss Irene Stanley, Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Coleman, Mrs . Noba Coleman, Mr. Alex Hayes, Mr. Floyd Smith, Mrs. Callie Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Hines, Mr. Homer Floyd, Mr. W. C. Floyd, Mrs. Luvenia Floyd, Mr. W. B. Floyd, Mrs. Ethel Floyd, Mr. Billie Coleman and Mrs. Nancy Coleman. This small church entered into the Ouachita Baptist Association which then consisted of three parishes. These three parishes were LaSalle, Catahoula and Caldwell. Midway had the privilege of hosting the Association under the moderation of Bro. Bill Chapman. In the years to come, Caldwell Parish withdrew from the Association and the LaSalle Association was born in 1944. Our church began by holding services once a month, eventually moving to twice a month and finally in the late thirties or early forties became a full-time church. A strong Brotherhood and Junior Brotherhood proved to be a great help to the church at this time. By the early forties, it became necessary to expand the church facilities. Sunday School and B.Y.P.U. rooms were built. IN 1949, plans were brought up to tear down the old church building and replace it with a new one. In 1950, work on the new building was begun with the members giving freely. All worked together that God might receive the glory int eh new church building. During the time that the new building was being erected, a brush arbor was the meeting place for Midway Baptist Church. The new building included a baptistery and Sunday School rooms. The W.M.U. worked faithfully during this time and furnished the new church with new pulpit furniture. The pews were bought by individual members in order for the church to have all new furnishings. Educational space was added shortly afterwards when their present facilities proved too limited for the needs. In 1970, two lots were purchased for a new parsonage. The building plans for the new parsonage were presented in April, 1971. The building was completed and paid for by May, 1973. The old parsonage was sold. The church voted on August 1, 1973 to make plans for renovation of the church. A plot of land, 10' x 163', was purchased. The renovation program was divided into four phases. As one was completed, the other would begin. All four were completed in 1977. Over a period of years, adjoining property was purchased in order to have room for parking and expansion. Throughout the ministry of Midway Baptist Church, there has always been an awareness concerning the upkeep of buildings and equipment. Many smaller building projects have taken place which are not included in the history.