Bethel Baptist Church Records, Rapides Parish Louisiana
Submitted by Pamela Strother Downs
Transcribed to text file by Lynda Weldon
Date: May 9, 2007

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Bethel Baptist Church Records, Rapides Parish, La

My father is John Reeves Strother, Sr., the oldest grandchild of John 
and Caroline Strother of Rapides Parish, La. His uncle, Rev. J. Houston
Strother (a Baptist pastor serving among the French-speaking people of
La), was the oldest child of John and Caroline Strother but he had no 
children of his own. For that reason, he gave my father some of the 
family records. Those records included the minutes of the Bethel Baptist
Church in Rapides Parish, La from 1870-1899. Uncle Houston told my father
that he used his vacation one summer to type a transcription of these
minutes (after getting the permission of the pastor of the church at the
time). In addition, Uncle Houston typed a transcription of the Bethel
Baptist Church Roster for that same time period. It appears that he 
finished proofreading the roster but never typed a final copy.

I have created an index that includes both the names on the church roster
and the names and page numbers from the minutes. 

Pamela Strother Downs

Parish of Rapides, State of Louisiana

We the undersigned, having drawn our letters from the Occupy Church, for 
the purpose of constituting a church on Cherywinchia, in the parish and 
state aforesaid, have this day, September 21, A.D. 1870 met and organized 
by electing W.D. Godwin Moderator, and B.F. Pelt Clerk pro tem. Prayer by 
Elder E.K. Branch. The articles of Faith copied from the Baptist Church 
Directory was read and adopted and the Church Covenent from the Church 
Manual was adopted by the following persons: W.G. Orre, Wm. Strother, W.
C. Williams, B.F. Pelt, Lemuel Willis, William Willis, Peter Martin, Hawkins 
Martin, G. McCloud, Winey (Mrs. Wm.)Strother, Ellen (Mrs. Peter) Martin, 
Roda (Mrs. Wm.) Willis, Carolyn McCloud, Nancy Avery, John Draddy by 
certificate, Nancy (Mrs. John) Draddy, and Sarah Draddy on statement. The 
name selected, Bethel. Resolved that we request the Church at Amiable at
her next conference to license Brother Godwin to exercise his gift as he
may see fit in our bound. Resolve that we select Saturday before the second
Lord's day for our conference day.

Call conference Sept. 22, 1870.

The doors of the church was open.  One accepted by letter Henry Fee, Joseph 
Rodriquez, Lydia Stanley who were baptized and received into the fellowship 
of the church.  Appointed the clerk to write a letter to the Louisiana 
Association, and Brother B. F. Pelt and G. McCloud messengers and W. C.
Williams and Wm. Strother Alternates to represent this church in that 
association.

Saturday before the second Lord's day in October.

After divine service by Brother D. Willis the privileges of the church 
were extended.  None offered.  Met in conference, visiting brethren invited
to seats with us.  On motion Brother W. C. Williams called for a letter of 
dismission and it was granted.  On motion Brother B. F. Pelt was appointed
church clerk and on motion Brother Wm. Willis and Brother W. J. Orre were 
appointed as our deacons.  Done by order of the church in conference.
Brother W. D. Godwin Moderator.
B. F. Pelt, Chrs. Clk.

Saturday before the second Lord's day in November, 1870.

After divine service by Brother W. D. Godwin the privileges of the 
church were extended.  None offered.  Visiting brethren invited to seats 
with us.  Resolved that we the Bethel Church call Brother D. H. Willis
for our supply for the next year, and on motion chair was appointed
to appoint a committee to wait on Brother D. H. Willis to know whether
he will accept the call from the church.  Brother W. Willis and Brother
G. McCloud was the committee.
Done by order of the church in conference.
W. D. Godwin, Moderator,
B. F. Pelt, Chs. Clk.

Saturday before the second Lord's day in December, 1870.

After divine service by Brother W. D. Godwin, met in conference.  
Privileges of the church extended, none offered.  Visiting brethren 
invited to seats with us.  Minutes read and adopted.  On motion Brother
W. D. Godwin was called for our supply for the next associational year,
and accepted the call.  
Done by order of the conference.
W. D. Godwin, Moderator.

Note--In the original record the initials of husbands were not given 
with the names of their wives, but are inserted here.