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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Sunday March 27, 1892.
Church met for business.  After short prayer meeting adjourned in order.
W. R. Hargrove Pro Tem.
J. H. Strother, Clerk

Bethel, April 24, 1892.
Met for business.  After devotional exercises conducted by D. M. Belvin
and A. D. Mayo, the priviledges of the church were extended.  None 
offered.  Was announced in conference.  The minutes of the last meeting
read and adopted.  Brother Frank Perkins, the committee appointed to 
assist in forming an advisory council with with Union Hill Church 
reported that he had fulfilled his mission satisfactorily.  On motion the
report was received and the committee was dismissed.  On motion the Rules 
of Decorum were read, complying with a former resolution that if there be
no rule one be added to prohib members of this church visiting ball room.  
On motion the church preferred charges on the accusation against Brother
Harvey Odom and Sisters Olive Odom and Emily Willis.  Discussed by
Bros. John Strother, Joseph Rodrigues and A. D. Mayo.  On motion that 
matter was laid over until our next meeting.  Upon a statement of Brother
John Coker of Brother Dew Buxton's cussing a charge was preferred against
him.  On motion he was excluded. Adjourned to meet tomorrow at 10 a.m.
A. D. Mayo, Mod.
J. H. Strother, Clerk

Bethel May 21, 1892.
Met for business.  After devotional exercises the priviledges of the church
were extened.  One offered by letter, Brother James Ware.  On motion was
received.  Was announced in conference.  Minutes of the last meeting read
and adopted.  The matter referring to the charge against the ball room 
participants was taken up.  Brother Harvey Odom's case was taken up and 
discussed in length.  As he would not attend conference and seemed 
encumbered about worldly things, on motion he was excluded.  Sister Emily
Willis expressed sorrow and asked for pardon.  On motion it was granted.
Sister Olive Odom had not been heard from and her case was laid over until 
our next conference.  Brother Frank Perkins, Walter Cloud and Alexander 
Strother were appointed as a committee to visit the sister and attend to the
matter.  Brother Joe Willis announced the sorrow and requests for pardon of 
Brother D. L. Willis for dancing.  On motion it was granted.  On motion the 
church come prepared to give something to Brother Mayo.  On motion went into 
lection of delegates to attend the council meeting, which resulted in the 
choice of Brothers Matthew Willi and Joe Rodriguez.  Brother Marian Peterson 
was appointed as a fraternal messenger to the Calcasieu Association to 
convene with Occupy Church.  Adjourned in order.
A. D. Mayo, Mod.
J. H. Strother, Clerk

Sunday May 22, 1892.
Church met for service.  After devotional exercises the priviledges of the 
church were extended.  None offered.  Called for a collection for the support
of Brother John Draddy and his little children and received $4.85.  No further
business, adjourned in order.
A. D. Mayo, Mod.
J. H. Strother, Clerk