New Hope Pioneer Church in West Carroll Parish, Louisiana

Submitted by Margie Pearce Jan 1999







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NOTE: Another church history, no author or date given.  Typed exactly as  found.

NEW HOPE PIONEER  

     The Church of New Hope began as far back as 1924.  Bro. M. G. Ikard,  Bro. I. J. Fair and
Bro. Luther Smith came once a month or sometimes on week-ends and preached for a time in the
school building.  Later the school house burned and church services were held in homes or under
trees.

     Bro. T. E. Miller came February, 1933, to be the first pastor to live in the community.  Barbara
Hawsey, a faithful member of the church, yearned for a church building.  She had a dream that a
church stood at the place where the existing building stands, and was called New Hope. 
 She talked to the man who owned the land about building a church there.  In 1935 he donated
five acres of land for church and cemetery.  Under the leadership of Bro. Luther Smith, the
following were chosen for the Board of Trustees:  Bro. Luther Smith, Allen Hawsey, Callie
Beebe, J. C. Cawthon and Bob Oldham.  The church was built in 1935 with Bro. Bob Owens
preaching the dedication sermon.

     Bro. Luther Smith was pastor until 1936.  After his resignation, Bro. I. J. Fair moved into the
community and was pastor until 1939.  Sister Sadie Bible was pastor in pastor in 1940.  During
this year the congregation bought a three room house and moved it to the church property to be
used as the first parsonage.

     Bro. Fred Whitehead came in 1941, but after being here a few months, he went into military
service and was killed during the war.  Bro. Luther Smith and Sister Bible served the church until
1944 when Bro. Earl No___ng_ (unreadable) came and stayed until 1948.  Bro. J. F. Murrell
came in 1949 and Bro. F. F. (?) Gordin preached a few months in 1950, then Bro. Pierson Van
Norman became the pastor.

    The church building burned in November, 1951, and was rebuilt in the spring of 1952.  Bro.
George Rohbein came as pastor in October, 1952, and left in August, 1954.

    Bro. Elzie Trick became the pastor in 1954, and in April of 1956, Bro. Paul Owens was called
as supply pastor.  While he was serving the church, they borrowed money from the state revolving
fund and finished the church building.  Bro. Oliver Mogue was supply pastor in 1958.  Bro. C. A.
Davey came in October.  Since the Daveys have been here, we have finished and dedicated the
parsonage and added two Sunday School rooms and a vestibule and tiled the church throughout.
   
       Average attendance has grown from 47 in 1958 to 72 in 1962.  Future plans call for building
two additions including four Sunday School rooms, rest rooms, kitchen and assembly room.

     Bro. O. J. Adams was called to be the pastor in June, 1963.

(Handwritten on bottom of page)
Without pastor for several months.
Bro. Walter Haste came as pastor May 1969 - moved Dec 15, 1974.
Bro. Dale Shelton came as pastor June 1975.


Margie R. Pearce
URL:  www.angelfire.com/la/ancestors

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