Good Hope Baptist Church, Vernon Parish Louisiana
Submitted by Jane Parker McManus
Date: August 8, 2013

************************************************** 
Copyright. All rights reserved. 
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm 
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm 
************************************************** 

Source: Wise, Erbon W. Tall Pines II, A History of
Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People. 1988. Print

Good Hope Baptist Church dates from 1854
Good Hope Baptist Church, located on Big Sandy about 10 miles
west of Anacoco, was established in 1854.

For 40 years after its establishment, Good Hope served as a
community center. Three months during the summer schools were
taught and public meetings of various kinds were held in the
building. Church services were held once a month on Saturday 
and Sundays at 11 a.m.

The first church, a one-room log house with puncheon floors, 
stood near an old mulberry tree just across the present road
that goes towards Big Sandy Creek. This building was later
replaced in 1904 by one built of rough lumber, which was 
sawed at the Koonce Brothers water mill. The Koonce Brothers
donated the lumber and everyone helped in building the house.

"Uncle" John Harvey was the first member to be baptized
following the construction of the second church. The baptismal
service was conducted by Rev. Daniel Slay, who served as pastor
for 16 years.

Rev. Slay's only mode of travel in those days was on mule back.
He carried a blue black hymn book from which he would read the 
verses first, and then the congregation would sing them. People
would walk, ride horse back or go in ox wagons for many miles to
attend services. 

Some of the early preachers of Good Hope were the Revs. Y.I. 
Prewitt, N.H. Bray, Jim Stringer, Daniel Slay, Jim Bailey,
Southwell, Sherwood, Overitt, Martin, Charlie Herrington, J.B.
Prewitt, Kenneth Jones, Huey Haymon, W.A. Gregg, Miller, Willie
Loftin, T.J. Jarrels, Owen Loftin, Bud McCullough, Murray, S.E.
Deason, Walter Moses, Robert Graham and Browning.

Although early records have been destroyed, some of the charter
members recalled were W.M. Newman, G.J. Palmer, J.I. Newman, 
"Aunt" Rachel, Robert Langton, Mrs. James Newman, and Bud 
Durbin. 

The present church was constructed in 1948 and is now served by 
Huey Harmon, pastor [1988].