Laurel Hill Baptist Church, Vernon Parish Louisiana
Submitted by Chere Lee
Date: July 25, 2017

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Source: Tall Pines II. The History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana.
Copyright 1988 by Erbon W. Wise.

The Laurel Hill Baptist Church at La Camp is located three miles
north of La Camp on the Laurel Hill Church Road.

Founded June 19, 1869 with 28 members, the church was served by 
the Rev. W.S. Tarrell as its first pastor.

On November 13, 1900, a committee of three men, M.M. White, J.W.
Jowers, and G.W. Ingalls were appointed to buy land for the
church graveyard.

Early pastors, in addition to Tarrell, were: Samuel Harper, 
1871; Mike Smith, 1875; W.M. Walters, 1881; T.F. Crawford, 1883; 
A.D. Mayo, 1887; A.M. Kirkpatrick, 1892; John Coruth, 1895; J.
Rudicill, 1895; S.C. Stalsby, 1900; J.G. Musgrove, 1906; Allen 
McColagh, 1907; J. Behan, 1921; Sam Johnson, 1923; D. Deshazor, 
1931; M.J. Lee, 1935; J.O. Fountain, 1939; J.N. Miller, 1944; 
E.A. Woods, 1945; J.H. Dousay, 1947; T.M. White, Seaborn Bond,
Fred Monk, Lee Woods, J.R. Thompson, and Huey Haymons, whose 
years as pastor are undetermined.

Also, Jin Owens, 1966; Charles Boswell, 1967; LeRoy James, 1968; 
and Will Sigler, who is serving as the present pastorate.

The first church building was in use from 1869 to September 10, 
1922. The second building constructed in 1922 was later moved 
across the road on the leftside of the cemetery in 1960. This 
building was sold and torn down in December 1970 and was 
replaced by a modern brick building in 1970.

Church members who became preachers are Aubrey Boswell, 1939; 
Jay Boswell, J.R. Thompson, 1950; Charles Boswell, 1965; Edward
Williams, 1969; and Martin Wellman.

The present board of deacons are W.G. Gordy, chairman; C.D. 
Miller, Will Boswell, Haywood Boswell, Sam Carruth, T.H. LaCaze, 
Edward Williams and Morgan Wellman.