Montpelier Churches, St. Helena Parish, Lousiana File submitted by Mrs. Inez Bridges Tate and prepared by D.N. Pardue ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ From publication "Old Montpelier, 1804, New Montpelier, 1904" compiled by Inez B. Tate and published by St. Helena Historical Association, 1993. Reprinted with permission. CHURCHES Methodist The greatest majority of the residents of Montpelier are of the Protestant faith, and there are two churches in which they worship. Those who are of another faith travel to Amite or other areas for church. The Montpelier Methodist Church was organized about 1904. At first worship services were held in the one room school build- ing that was located some 200 years south of the present building. In 1906 a lot was donated by the Natalbany Lumber Company as a site for a church. The deed was accepted for the Church and signed by Alexander L. Brown, who with his crew and donated labor constructed the first building. The Church was dedicated on May 24, 1908 according to a letter from J.S. Rutledge to the editor of the St. Helena Echo. The letter dated April 28, 1908, extends an invitation to the public to attend and a special invitation to the editor. Presiding Elder was Rev. R.W. Tucker. The first roll which has been preserved contains the follow- ing names: Mr. & Mrs. A.L. Brown Maude Brown May Brown Mr. & Mrs. P.C. Tillery Mrs. W.J. King Ettie King Una King Harvey King Mrs. John George Mrs. Nora Wilson Mrs. S.N. Carpenter Mrs. J.A. Young Gena Carlile C.E. Tillery Mrs. C.E. George J.A. Tillery Bertha E. Tillery Arthur King Mrs. M. Davidson Mrs. M.A. Weiss Mrs. C.J. Goodspeed Mr. & Mrs. H.S. Watson W.H. McLin Mr. & Mrs. W.H. Tillery Many others were added through the years. The first church, a white-frame building, served as the sanc- tuary until 1968. In 1968 the heirs of F.W. Reimer donated land adjoining the church property and upon this land was built a hand- some red brick building with stained glass windows. To the rear of the sanctuary is the Sunday School rooms, kitchen, rest rooms and a large room for fellowship activities. The entire complex is there in an "L" shape. Ray Young was in charge of the construc- tion of the building which was completed for a little over $32,000. To help defray the cost, the old building was sold for $1,200. Killian's Chapel building and land added another $3,000. The re- mainder was from memorial gifts and a loan from the United Metho- dist Church. This building was dedicated April 1, 1973. Pastor was A. Bray Sibley, William P. Fraser, District Superintendent and Finis A. Crutchfield, Bishop. Presenting the Church at the dedication were Herbert H. George, Sr., H.E. Watson and Newman Williams. Welcoming guests were Mrs. Nannie Bond, Mrs. Mable Watson, and Mr. George. A bell tower which holds the original bell from the first Church was built adjacent to the Church by members of Mrs. Nannie Bond's family and dedicated to her memory in 1987. This Church has served the community well and has seen many fine young people grow to maturity and to contribute positively to society. Baptist Montpelier Baptist Church was organized on September 24, 1908 to meet the needs of those Baptists in Montpelier who found travel to churches in nearby areas a problem, at best. When the roads became impassable, it became impossible to attend. The organizational meeting was held at the Methodist Church Building. Ministers present were "Elder E.R. Carruth of this place and Elder W.A. McCain, Pastor of Kentwood Baptist". Mrs. Needham and Mrs. George said that Rev. Alex Gill, McComb, Ms. was also present. Charter members are Mattie Thompson, Hilary Thompson, Mary Thompson, Walter Thompson, Hettie Dean George, Margaret Dean Needham, hattie Terrell, John Terrell, Hardy Thompson, Cordelia Thompson, Ivy Thompson, Izella Thompson and Willie D. Watson Hoover. Mrs. Hilary Thompson is credited as being most instru- mental in organizing the Church. She had organized a Sunday School earlier. In the beginning worship services were held in several places - Mr. Coburn's barn, Coburn's vacant store building, up- stairs in the school house and later the Methodist Church build- ing. Natalbany Lumber Company donated land as a site for Montpe- lier Baptist Church in May 1912. After overcoming several problems during the construction, the building was completed and ready for occupancy. Services were held only monthly until Feb. 1940 when the Church voted to have services twice a month and the minister's salary was $15 per Sunday. On 26 Aug. 1945 the first parsonage was bought. In Aug. 1945 the Church added two rooms to the church sanctuary to be used as Sunday School rooms. Other rooms were added in 1948. The Church went full time Dec. 1945 with pastor's salary to be $25 each Sunday. In Feb. 1953 the Church began constructing a new building. In 1956 the Sunday School rooms were added. In May 1957 the Church bought 28.5 acres of land and a dwelling from Norman Fogg. Twenty-two acres were later sold. The 50th anniversary of the Church was observed on Sept. 8, 1958. In 1970 a new pastorium was constructed in front of the other home. In 1971 the church purchased a dwelling house and lot which adjoins the Church property. The house was used as a fellowship hall and for Sunday School rooms for many years. It was even- tually sold and was moved away. The Church then built a large building with kitchen and bathrooms which serves as a fellowship hall and also houses several classes for Sunday School. Montpelier Baptist continues to serve the community well through full time ministry with two paid staff members - minister and minister of music and youth. Both parsonages are used as homes for these ministers. Many fine young people have "grown up" in this Church. Catholic Zula Tate Braud and Frances George Oliver recall a small Catholic Church in Montpelier. Several families were of the Catholic faith and attended mass there whenever the Priest came from Amite. Hermine Tate remembers that the Priest came from Amite and held mass in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Elder who were Catholic and that mass was held at least once in her parents' home (Mr. & Mrs. Neil Tate). Another Protestant Church held services in a vacant store on Hwy. 16 for a few months during the mid-1970's. No other in- formation is available. *************