Simpson Church of God, Vernon Parish Louisiana
Submitted by: Gaytha Carver Thompson



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Simpson Church of God
The Leesville Leader, Thursday, April 1, 1971, Page Twelve

Simpson Church of God dates from 1897

Started in about 1897 when the Rev. R. H. Owens came to Simpson community to
preach, Simpson Church of God was the only church in the community for several
years.  With Bro. Jimmy Owens and Willie H. Jackson also preaching, meetings
were first held in homes and later in a small house on Caney Creek.

Later a large tabernacle was built at the Old Mount Pleasant cemetery with the
following among the first members: Willile Parker, Frank Parker, Sam Tippit,
Gip Parker, Monroe Carver, Frank Jackson, Dan Williamson, Elijah Williamson,
and Willie Jackson.

The first minister probably was Rev. Willie Jackson who later started other
churches.  He and Rev. Jimmy Owens served Simpson Church of God as pastors
between 1897 and 1914; followed by Rev. Hilburn, 1914; Dave Darrett, 1915-
1916; J. D. Ferrell, 1916-1918; A. J. Miller, 1918-1924; John Weir, 1925;
Harmon Fulton, 1926-1930; John Carver, 1931-1932; Jacob Horn, 1932; J. R.
Tackett, 1932-1935; Rev. D. G. Trimble, 1936-1938; Sister Carrie Blackwell
(interim); Rev. Raymond Hull, 1941-1942; Rev. Ray Jackson, 1943; Rev. Hulsey,
1942; Sister Selma Jackson (interim); Rev. Merica, 1944

Rev. John Carver and A. J. Miller served as pastors twice each.  Others have
been: J. D. Kirby, 1947-1949; Kendrith Parker (interim); Doyle Coody, 1950-
1951; R. T. Germany, 1952-1955; Sam Germany, 1956-1959; Earl Carver, 1960-
1962; Edward Oldham, 1962-1964; Homer Bailey, 1965; J. R. Tackett, 1966-1968;
and Rev. O. J. Adams, 1968 to the present.

From the first church building at Old Welcome cemetery, the Simpson Church of
God has developed into two brick buildings now located on Highway 28, with a
membership of approximately 100.