MARS HILL BAPTIST CHURCH, Jena, LaSalle Parish, LA Sources: Catahoula Land and Property Conveyance Records, v. 1, No. 503-1 Church of Latter Day Saints, Microfilm V. 1 1879-1882, FHL US/CAN Film 871315. LaSalle Parish Genealogical Association, History of La Salle Parish, Louisiana, Curtis Media Corporation, c1989, pages 112, 113, and 118. Submitters: Leon Coleman (princealfred@msn.com) and Patricia E. Ezell (pezell@satx.rr.com) Date: October 2004 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** MARS HILL BAPTIST CHURCH Mars Hill Baptist Church was organized on the second Sunday of July 1869 by a group of African-Americans, who had been members of the Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Old Catahoula Parish, now LaSalle Parish, La. From 1843, the date the Salem Missionary Baptist Church had been organized, to July 1869, African-Americans had been members of Salem Church along with the white members of the community. After Brother Littleton Curry announced his call to preach, he was examined by the Elders and ordained for the ministry. This is reflected in the minutes of Salem Church dated September 20, 1867, "On motion it was resolved the Church examine Brother Littleton Curry and if found qualified and orthodox ordain him for the ministry at our next meeting. The January 25, 1868 minutes recorded by J.E. Heard, Church Clerk, reads, "The reference with regard toBrother Little Curry was taken up. Elder R.L. Brooks was chosen to assist Elder W.J. Lacy in the ordination after examination of Brother Curry and finding him orthodox he was set apart for the ministry by the laying on of hands." Some of the early African-Americans who were members of Salem Church were: Jacob Smart, Henry Wilson, Harry Hall, Alfred Curry, William Hawkins, Isabelle Webster, Caroline Lanehart, Easter Harris, Belford and Cynthia Coleman Hatcher and Henry and Amanda Bowie Casterman. In July 1869, seventeen members of the Salem Church were granted letters of dismissal to establish Mars Hill Baptist Church. Brother T.A. Routon was called as the first pastor and Brother Ferdinand Snow was the first church clerk. They worked with the young church until the members were able to carry on without them. Brother Littleton Curry was the first African-American pastor to serve. He was followed by Rev. Noah Jenkins, Oct. 1872-1875, Rev. Henry Limons 1875-1877, Rev. Curry 1877; Rev. Isaac Kees and Rev. Clark Watson who both served from 1882-1893, Rev. A.L. Yearby 1897-1934, Rev. J.A. Harris, Rev. H.P. Jenkins 1937-1948, Rev. Willie H. Hines 1948-1955, Rev. Jessie J. Stewart 1955-1967, Rev. Monroe Yearby 1967-1974 and Rev. Henry Franklin in 1974. In 1881, James Monroe Baker sold an acre of land of his property for $1.00 to Mars Hill Baptist Church. Representatives from the church for this transaction were Deacon Belford Hatcher (great grand-uncle in-law of submitter Leon Coleman) and the Rev. Isaac L. Kees. The property was described as being near the public graveyard (current day Forsythe Cemetery) and an old storehouse owned by James H. Young with an outlet to the Harrisonburg and Alexandria road. James Monroe Baker (2nd great granduncle of submitter, Pat Ezell) had had a long association with several members of the new Mars Hill Baptist Church and apparently supported their endeavors. In December 1934, the Mars Hill Baptist Church was destroyed by fire. During the time that money was being raised to build a new church, services were held in a little house on the property of Mr. Union Coleman. Later services were held in the Mars Hill School. In 1937, Rev. H.P. Jenkins was elected as pastor. He held a highly successful revival in which 20 new members joined the church. Under his leadership, a new church was erected at its present site, near the Jena Airport. The new church was built by the pastor and its members who exhibited great care in their workmanship in building the church. It was at this time that pews and a piano were also purchased. In 1974, Mrs. Inez Hatcher Green commissioned Jena resident, Louise Windham to paint a Baptistry picture in honor of her parents, Lucretia Casterman Hatcher and Bertner Hatcher. Please refer to photo of the church in the PHOTOS section of the La Salle Parish Archives website. The following transcription of the land transaction between James Monroe Baker, and Mars Hill Baptist Church members, Belford Hatcher and Isaac L. Kees was located by Leon Coleman. The transcription was completed by Pat Ezell. The full citation and source information is included at the end. State of Louisiana Parish of Catahoula Be it known on this 1st day of October 1881, personally came and appeared James Monroe Baker of said parish who declares that for the price and sum hereinafter expressed he did on the 1st day of July 1881 and now does by there presents grant, bargain, sell and convey with a full warranty against all troubles whatsoever unto the Mars Hill Baptist Church, of the parish of Catahoula, in this State, herein represented by Belford Hatcher Deacon of said church and Isaac L. Kees, Clerk of said society also of this parish present and accepting and purchasing for said church and their assigns and acknowledging delivery and possession thereof... viz: One acre of ground situated on my place and being the same acre of ground of which said society have lately erected a church house near the public graveyard and old store house of Jas H. Young with an outlet to the Harrisonburg and Alexandria road said church house to be the center of said acre of land. This sale was and is made and accepted for and consideration of the price and sum of one ($1.00) dollar which amount said vendor hereby acknowledges have received grants full acquitiance and discharges therefor. This done and passed in the Parish of Catahoula aforesaid the day, month, and year first above written in the ________ of J.M. Kirby and George Patterson in this parish who hereunto sign their names with the parties after reading of these presents. Witnesses: J.M. Baker (signature) J.M. Kirby George Patterson Mars Hill Baptist Church, per Isaac L. Kees (signature) his Belford X Hatcher mark State of Louisiana Parish of Catahoula Personally came and appeared before me D.F. Bradford, Justice of the Peace Ward No. 7, J.M. Kirby who being duly sworn makes oath that the parties signed the within agreement in his present and he signed it at the same time with the other attesting witnesses. Done and signed this 12th day of Oct. 1881. J.M. Kirby Sworn to and subscribed before me the names signed. Justice of the Peace this 15th day of Oct. A.D. 1881. D.F. Bradford Sources: Catahoula Land and Property Conveyance Records, v. 1, No. 503-1 Church of Latter Day Saints, Microfilm V. 1 1879-1882, FHL US/CAN Film 871315 LaSalle Parish Genealogical Association, History of La Salle Parish, Louisiana, Curtis Media Corporation, c1989, pages 112, 113, and 118.