CHURCH HISTORIES Terrebonne Parish, LA PRESBYTERIAN - BAYOU BLUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Submitted by: Cynthia Daigle Source: The Houma Daily Courier and The Terrebonne Press, Houma, LA. Last modified: 11 MARCH 2008 ================================================== NOTE: Most histories were submitted by the church to the Houma Daily Courier and The Terrebonne Press as part of the newspapers Sesquicentennial Edition. Not all churches submitted histories. ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** ================================================== PRESBYTERIAN - BAYOU BLUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Location in 2007 - 3200 Hwy 316, Gray, LA The Houma Daily Courier and The Terrebonne Press Houma, LA, Oct. 8, 1972, Sunday, Section E BAYOU BLUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BAYOU BLUE SUCCEEDED AS ALL-FRENCH PRESBYTERIAN By Mrs. Farrell Robertson (picture of church in paper, page 10-E) (Nee: Billie Earp) The introduction of Presbyterians on Bayou Blue must be traced to a meeting in the home of Elphege Daigle, when his brother, Ellis, brought Rev. M.R. Peridia, a French speaking Canadian Presbyterian Minister from New Iberia to speak with the family of the Gospel in the French language. Rev. Peridis contacted Rev. J.N. Blackburn, a young pioneer home missionary, who lived in Houma, to meet with them and begin to work with the Bayou Blue people. The first meetings were in Elphege's home but soon spread to other homes. These first families were the families of Elphege Daigle, John Robertson, Allen Daigle, Gillis Porche and Orillion Boudreaux. This little group of people were to soon form the only all French Presbyterian church in the New Orleans Presbytery that succeeded. As these collage services grew a larger meeting place was needed. Elphege was a farmer, but he was also half owner of a dance hall. This was a strange place to worship the Lord but he offered use of the hall and was accepted. Soon Elphege dissolved his partnership and had the hall literally cut in half and his half moved to a piece of land owned by him on Bayou Blue. Here in the midst of sugar cane fields, services continued in the crude structure. At first services were conducted in both French and English, but as years passed, the French began to fade until only English was spoken as it is today. It was not long before the need for a permanent well built church was brought to the attention of the Presbytery and money was collected for lumber. All members shared in the building of the church. On July 19, 1914, the church was completed and the first services held. The original charter members of the church were: Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Porche, Mr. and Mrs. Dovie Bergeron, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Daigle, Mr. and Mrs. James Robinson, Vivian Robinson, Willie Daigle, Mr. and Mrs. David Poincon, Mrs. Joe Robinson, Calvin Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Porche, Mrs. Angelina Daigle, Mr. and Mrs. Augustin C. Robertson, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sear, Pearl Sear, Gillis Porche, Gilbert Porche, Mathilde Porche, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Daigle, Mrs. James Robinson, Leona LeBoeuf, Mr. and Mrs. Leonce Breaux, Mr. and Mrs. Webster Daigle, Felix Porche, Paul Porche, Mr. and Mrs. Shelly Daigle, Mrs. Lucy Gauthreaux, William Roberson, Mrs. Eulalie Boudreaux, Mrs. Siberine Robinson, Mrs. Janet Dupre, Mr. and Mrs. Claymil LeBlanc and Nora LeBlanc. In the fall of 1915, a tropical storm blew the church off its foundation but the men gathered and resent the little church and repaired all damage. In 1920 more damage was sustained when strong winds sent a large oak tree crashing through the roof and side of the church. Again the damage was repaired. On April 23, 1924, the Bayou Blue Presbyterian Church was formally organized with Rev. John Nelson Blackburn as minister and Shelly Daigle, Willie Daigle, and William Roberson elected as elders. Elphege Daigle had passed away four months earlier. Another raging hurricane swept over southern Louisiana in August, 1926 leaving in its wake ruined crops, homes and totally destroying the little church on Bayou Blue. This was a great loss to these people who worked so hard and waited so long for a church of their own. A call of distress went out to Presbyterian churches throughout the United States and the response to the appeal was generous. The faith of the little congregation was strong and soon they lifted their spirits and their hammers and saws and once again built their church. In 1927, the building was completed. This building is today the Bayou Blue church. The Rev. J.N. Blackburn, along with his duties as pastor of the Houma Presbyterian church served as Pastor for the Bayou Blue church until he retired in 1948. Following his retirement the Rev. Harold Thomas Brigman served the Bayou Blue and Houma Churches until the fall of 1954. It was during his pastorate that the two churches became self supporting and ceased to receive aid from the Houma Missions Committee. On April 1955 the pastorate of the Rev. Clarence C. Elrod began. Rev. Elrod became the first installed pastor to serve the church. Rev. Elrod was called to the Amite-Arcola Presbyterian Church in November 1968. The church has many improvements. Between 1956 and 1959, new wall paneling and ceiling was added. New light fixtures were installed and painting inside and out was done. Electric drinking fountain and natural gas for heating, two new classrooms were added and draperies hung. Even two new bathrooms were built on the back in 1964, and four more classrooms. In 1971, central heating and air conditioning was installed. The women of the church are organized and hold monthly meetings. There is a large Sunday School attendance and the young people present programs each year at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The church now has a cemetery on land adjoining the church property. In July, 1970, Dr. Charles E. McLean became Pastor of the Bayou Blue and Houma Presbyterian Churches. He is still serving in that capacity. The history of Bayou Blue Church is filled with faith and determination of its founders. May God continue to bless this little church set in the midst of the cane fields.