CHURCH HISTORIES Terrebonne Parish, LA PRESBYTERIAN - FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HOUMA 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 - FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HOUMA Location in 2007 - 414 Barrow Street, Houma, LA The Houma Daily Courier and The Terrebonne Press Houma, LA, Oct. 8, 1972, Sunday FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY DATES BACK TO 1838 Editors Note: The preparation of this historical sketch was taken from records of "History of the First Presbyterian Church, Houma, Louisiana" and "Centennial of the First Presbyterian Church, Houma, Louisiana 1857 - 1957" By Mrs. Joseph Munson A study of the history of The First Presbyterian Church of Houma, Louisiana, reveals many interesting facts. The earliest record available states that the Reverend Silas Hazard acted as stated supply to Presbyterians in Houma in 1838. Statistics are silent after that until 1848 when the Reverend Daniel McNair, pastor at Thibodaux, continued this work. He was succeeded there by Reverend N.P. Chamberlain, who also labored in Houma. The Reverend Joseph Weeks served from 1850 to 1853 and the Reverend V.C. Ostrom in 1856 and 1857. During these years this district belonged to the Presbytery of Mississippi; but in 1855, the New Orleans Presbytery was formed. Here it is interesting to note that at the organization Houma was represented by three well known Presbyterians, the Reverend N.P. Chamberlain, Mr. William Bisland and Mr. Joseph Semple. Through all these years the flame of faith burned and although few in number, the members possessed a zeal for formal organization. Hence, a commission headed by the Reverend William McConnell was sent for this purpose and conducted the ceremony on December 5, 1857. As this commission reported the completion of the work to Presbytery three days later, December 8, 1957 is sometimes given as the founding date. Mr. R. R. Barrow donated land on Barrow Street between School and Verret, and there a brick Church and a manse were erected. Mr. William McConnell later became the pastor; and the Church having added a number of new members, seemed well on the way to a healthy growth. Although the pages from Mr. William Bisland's journal of Church contributions and expenses contain items covering cost for the year January, 1861 to January, 1862, the vicissitudes of war were already affecting our people and records now become few and far between. Reconstruction years brought many changes, chief among them the fact that through death and removal from Terrebonne the membership had decreased. The lowest ebb was reached in 1885. Regular services had been discontinued and the church building, which possessed some structural defect, collapsed on a calm day leaving only debris. The lots were sold by the discouraged congregation and thereafter infrequent services were held in the Methodist Church until that building was condemned and later in the Fireman's Hall or Hook and Ladder Hall. The spark of faith was still alight and with the encouragement of the Reverend C.M. Atkinson, an Evangelist from Presbytery in this district it began to ____ again. In 1889(bad copy, could be 1899) steps were taken to rebuild. By entertainment and subscription $520.00 was raised and placed in the hands of Mr. Peter Berger to deposit. Two lots of the original site given by R.R. Barrow were bought and there the new church was erected. The Reverend Edward J. Young, under the Homes Missions Committee of Presbytery, arrived to take charge of the work at Houma and Thibodaux in 1891. After serving about seven years, Mr. Young, a man handicapped physically, but of a determined spirit, felt the need to resign and was succeeded by the Reverend H.M. Wallace. His tenure lasted less than two years and Houma was again without a pastor. Then followed the long tenure of Reverend John Nelson Blackburn, who on June 15, 1901, as a licentiate of the North Alabama Presbytery was sent to assume charge of the field by the Home Missions Committee of the New Orleans Presbytery. The same church court ordained him at Thibodaux on January 12, 1902 to the office of evangelist at Houma and Thibodaux. Houma became his residence. His regular visits for services and parochial work to Thibodaux were made usually on a bicycle, sometimes with horse and buggy, later a motorcycle and last by automobile. Indeed his means of conveyance seemed to follow the trend of the times in vehicular transportation, though he never made his trip by airplane. The Reverend Blackburn married Miss Stella Horner and the congregation felt that a home for the pastor should be secured. Accordingly, a house was bought and placed on the lot adjoining the Church. Here Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn resided and dispensed cheer and hospitality until his resignation in 1948. Reverend Blackburn served this church for forty-seven years - and served it well. His genial personality and his friendly qualities endeared him to the citizens of this community as well as the members of this church. One member of our community one said of him "every act of his life, deed which he performs, is more eloquent than any sermon he could even preach". Our beloved Reverend Blackburn, D.D. was called to his reward July 30, 1971, at the age of 96 years, after a long and faithful life. Mrs. Blackburn, who through so many years worked by his side, is living in their home in Houma. For many years there had been no officers in the church, but on May 31, 1908, the congregation held an election and called F.G. Winder to be elder and M.D. McBride deacon. By the same proceedings, W.T. Cobb was ordained and installed as elder on March 6, 1910. In the same year Mr. McBride resigned his diaconate, and the books of session were taken by Henry P. Berger. Between these dates as a more businesslike attitude further developed, an election for trustees was held by the congregation. M.D. McBride, H.P. Berger, F.G. Winder, J.W. Haygood and F.T. Sprague were elected August 15, 1909 to serve four years. F. G. Winder resigned as elder, his health necessitating a move to the west, and his place as treasurer was filled by C.F. Sprague who later was ordained and installed as elder. H/P. Berger became an elder in 1920. These with W.T. Cobb made three elders, this being the first time since the Civil War era that such had been the case in Houma. In 1940, with the greater growth of the church, it was deemed advisable to have more officers. Mr. James Millet and Mr. W.D. Griffing were elected deacons. Their election marked a step in the advancement of our church as they were the first deacons we had had for many years, and both were dependable young men of estimable character who had shown much interest in the church. As Houma developed from a town into an ambitious city, pavement and sidewalks around the Church property were completed. The disbanding of the mission at Donner brought some welcomed members to Houma. A Vacation Bible School became custom during the Second World War and that, with an increase in members, accented our need for larger facilities. An educational building began to be planned. The Reverend Harold T. Bridgman, a retiree missionary from China, began his pastorate here in 1949 and served until 1954. With his knowledge of the character and language of the Chinese people, he gave invaluable service as a member of the committee engaged in the work of securing a permanent home for the Presbyterian Chinese Mission in New Orleans. The greatest step forward during this period was the erection of an educational building, which wa s so badly needed. Members of the building committee and sub-committees - Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Munson, Mrs. H. Millet Sr., F. Dixon Lewis, Jr., Miss Nina Winder, Mrs. David McBrayer, Mrs. Frank Corts, L.E. Lapeyrouse, Herbert Millet and James Millet - all worked diligently to make this project a reality. At this time the Houma Church became self-supporting. Reverend Bridgman resigned in November, 1954, when he assumed new duties in South Carolina. No regular pastor succeeded until April, 1955. At that time the Reverend Clarence C. Elrod arrived and together with Mrs. Elrod and their son, Charles, occupied the manse. Rev. Elrod served our church for thirteen years, resigning in November of 1968 to accept a call to the Amite-Arcola Presbyterian Church. During this period our church experienced substantial growth and a new church building was dedicated October 17, 1961. Our church was without a minister for almost two years. Reverend Charles E. McLean Jr., our present minister, came to us July 1970 from Sheffield, Alabama. He and his wife Mildred have three sons, Charles E. McLean III, Richard W. McLean and William A. McLean. Reverend McLean has brought warmth and closeness to our congregation. With the arrival of Reverend McLean, a new manse located in Mulberry Heights was purchased, and the upstairs of the old manse on Barrow Street was made available for a Young People's recreation room. The downstairs of this manse is used for Sunday School rooms. Members of the Presbyterian Church of Houma must prove worthy of the trust inherited from laborers of the past, must take up the torch of Christian faith and carry it forward as far as their strength allows, always depending upon the blessing of God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, His Son.