Church: The History of Beulah Baptist Church, Sabine Parish Louisiana Source: The Sabine Index; December 29, 1993 Submitted by: Thelma Shields shields@eufaula.lib.ok.us ********************************************** 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. THE HISTORY OF BEULAH BAPTIST CHURCH The history of Beulah Baptist Church is colorful and unusual and ties in with the history of the nation, state and the parish. Soon after the purchase of Louisiana (1803) the United States tried to occupy the western part of the state but met with considerable opposition from Spain who claimed as far east as the Arroyo Hondo (Red River) because of the settlement of Los Adaes their Spanish fort and their holdings. The Spaniards tried to hold all that had belonged to Spain before 1762. This included that part of Louisiana west of Red River. In an effort to hold this claim the Spanish General Gerrera led a large force across Sabine River to fortify and retain the sovereignty of Spain in the territory lying between Arroyo Hondo and the Sabine River. The United States kept vigilant guard on every move made by the Spaniards. General Wilkinson led an American Army out of Natchitoches to the site of the "blockhouse" where it appeared a battle would be fought. This was in 1806. But for some reason not too fully explained, General Wilkinson and General Herrera made an agreement a neutral strip was created. General Herrera agreed to withdraw west of the Sabine River and General Wilkinson agreed to withdraw east of Red River until Spain and the United States could agree on the boundary. And so this section between the two rivers, ( Red River and Sabine) was without government for fourteen years from 1806-1820 until a treaty was signed by both nations. The whole of Sabine Parish was included in the turbulent "No Man's Land". After the western boundary of Louisiana was established preparation was made and Fr. Jesup became a military post (1824) for federal troops. These soldiers were to afford protection to the settlers in the hitherto neutral territory and to supply the necessary border fortification against incursion from Texas which was yet under the Spanish crown. As Texas was fighting to gain her independence from Mexico there was much disturbance on the frontier and along the old San Antonio road. In order to strengthen the position at Ft. Jesup a block house was built near Sabine River not far from where the San Antonio road crosses that stream. The camp was established by Edmund P. Gains. His troops were stationed there in 1836 and this was on the former camp site of General Wilkerson's of 1806. The fortress was supplied with troops and rations from Ft. Jesup. The block house and wight storehouses were to contain nearly three thousand bushels of grain and over 150,000 rations. This was the scene of much activity with soldier and traders. In time most of the barracks and storehouses disappeared and a community recognized. The people came together and worshiped in the old block house. The frontier building with its foundation of blocks, stones and logs was converted from military duty to a place of worship. The spring of water down the hill that supplied water to the soldier is still a land mark. About 1902 a church building was begun and soon completed. Bill Cowart and Ed Cochran with the help of others in the community did this work. All available records indicated that from its very beginning the church's name was Beulah and the services were held in the "block house". The earliest minutes available were dated 1869 written in ink in the handwriting of church clerk, J. W. Nabors. This most valuable original book has the mark of age. As was the custom in the early church the male members were listed separately from the female members. The following is a copy of the first 15 members of Beulah Baptist Church: Males. W. W. Sibley, D. P. Gandy, W. R. Curtis, H. Gandy, A. R. Addison, J. K. Addison, S. L. Sibley, and J. J. Hoaten. Females: M. J. Martin, I. P. Sibley, Asema Martin, E. F. B. Curtis, Manerva Sibley, E. A. Gandy and Louisia Sibley. It is believed the above are the first members of Beulah Baptist Church. The pioneer families were, Cryer, Gandy, Rhodes, Ross, Sibley and Stroud. This further corroborated by the minutes of the Sabine Association, 1869 stating that the following churches were received, recognized: " Beulah, 15 members, Smyrna, 12 members, both of Sabine Parish. During the more that 100 years of the history of Beulah Baptist Church many pastors have labored here and graced its pulpit. Complete records and length of services of all undershephers are not available. Pastors: rev. Andrew Petty, 1883; Rev. Southwell, 1889; Rev. Killen; L.Q. Dickson, 1896; A. P. Harris, 1903-1905; J. G. Mason, 1905-1911; T. Campbell, 1912-1913; J. G. Mason, 1914-1915; Ambro Ellzey, 1915-1916; W. J. Ross, 1916-1917; J. G. Mason, 1917-1920; Rev. Gill, 1920; J. P. Williams 1922-1926; A. P. Durham, 1926-1928; Rev. Gregory, 1928; R.L. Miers, 1929-1931; R. B. Middleton, 1931-1932; J. B. Pruitt, 1932-1934; C. N. Green, 1934-1935; J. B. Pruitt, 1932-1934; C. N. Green, 1934-1935; J. B. Pruitt, 1935-1937; W. J. Ross, 1938-1940; G. J. Jones, 1940-1941; A. Frank Robert, 1941; J. P. Fortenberry 1942-1948; G. L. Marr, 1949-1950; Dan Jones, 1950-1951; Coda Salter, 1951-1959; Delman Rogers, 1959-1962; A. A. Adams, 1962-1965; Paaul Sullivan, 1965-1971; Kenneth Leach, 1972-January t, 1985; Rev. Dan Jones, Interim pastor, Jan. 20, 1985-June 1, 1985; Rev. James Jarrell, June 9, 1985-August 1985; Rev. Kenneth Leach, 1985-present. Beulah Baptist Church continues to make history. Rev. Kenneth R. Leach, Sr. came to Beulah Baptist Church in 1972, is confirmed to have served the longest number of years in the more than 100 year history of Beulah. Through the guidance of the Lord, much has been accomplished under his leadership both spiritually and in church growth. He is a compassionate, loving, caring man who loves the Lord, his church and members He is always there for anyone who has a need, might or day. His compassion and concern for Beulah community as well as all who pass through and stop to worship fell God's love through this caring pastor and wife Jo Ann. We at Beulah love and appreciate his untiring work for the Lord and breathe a prayer of thanksgiving for the ministry of Rev. Leach and pray that God will continue to bless and use him as he attempts to provide vital and effective leadership for our church. ( This article was written in co-operation with Joan Pickett; dated and facts were authenticated with permission from her thesis material. The article was written for the Sabine Index by Lilliam A. Sibley)