Circuit Riders, Churches and Baptisms....early 1800s through 1940

From Sicily Island:  A Partial History, compiled by Mickie Smith:

Circuit Riders

In the early days, when there were no church buildings, services were held in the homes by circuit riders.  Sometimes he went from house to house ministering, and on the occasions when he could stay a day or so, he held services in the home of one of the residents, with other families coming to share in the service and fellowship.

On of these circuit riders was Thomas Griffin, who in 1813 had an accident on his way to Sicily Island.  Here is the account:

Riding  hard one afternoon to reach the hospitable home of Micajah Pickett of Sicily Island, his horse shied and threw him into a briar patch.  Griffin was not hurt but his only trousers were torn beyond repair.  His father, a hard-shell Baptist, had opposed his entering the Methodist itinerary because of his poor education and the inevitable poverty that would be his lot.  On the Rapides circuit he had come to dire want.  And now his threadbare trousers were torn beyond repair.  As he remounted and rode on, the devil taunted him with his destitution, reminding him of his father's prediction.  At the gate of Micajah Pickett, which he reached after nightfall, like old Elijah at the gate of Jericho but for other reasons, he "went not in", and tarried until Brother Pickett could bring him a pair of pantaloons.  He was somewhat embarrassed when he greeted Mrs. Pickett, but the elect lady bade him not to worry about his ruined trousers, for she had made him a brand new pair.  Clad in his new garment, Griffin bade defiance to the devil, telling him he had all that he needed and could still go on in his loved work.  (Harper, D. D., Robert Henry, Louisiana Methodism, Kaufman Pr., Washington, D. C., 1949., p. 27.)

Churches

According to tradition, the earliest church building on Sicily Island was in 'Polk's Hollow', about where the Bill Cotten house stands.  Mr. Knight and Mr. McCarty, whose land adjoined, each gave one half an acre for the building.  This was a Union Church, and before many years, was used as a school during the week, with church services on Sunday.

Site of Pine Hill Methodist Church

The next known church building was the Pine Hill Methodist Church, built soon after 1858, when John Lovelace gave land for the building.  

Old Pine Hill Cemetery

This building, across the road from the Pine Hill Cemetery, served as the Methodist Church for many years, first served by circuit rider ministers, and later having an assigned minister.

The Maitland Baptist Church which sits on the banks of the Tensas River near Maitland Community Center was established in 1858.  At that time, Tillman Gilbert, great-grandfather of Mrs. Eva Keenan, donated the church to the black people who worked his land.  The original bell, which was donated by Mr. Gilbert was still in use as of the late 1970s.  

There was no pastor when the church was first built, but concerned Christian people would meet together, and sometimes they would be able to get someone to come and read or preach for them.  Records of these early years were not kept, however it is known that in 1900 the church was closed for lack of attendance.  This lasted for only a few years as the members left in the community got together, cleaned up the small building and started a Sunday School.  It was not long until they were having church again.  

In 1929 it was time to rebuild.  They moved one-half mile down the road from the original location, and built a larger building, carrying with them the bell.  Some who served as pastors here include:  the Reverends:  Press Shavers, George Washington, Frank Jones, Sam Davis, Golman Long, Dutch White, Dave Smith, B. A. Irvin, Mac Morgan and L. B. Oliver.

Deacons have included:  Bennie Smith, H. H. Brown, Ray Nelson, Henry Williams, Butler Saul, Andrew Lemons, Emmett Montgomery, Sr., Frank Lee, Mose Washington, James Kenerson, Jerry Ward, Conway Matthew, Harry Spears, Joe Webb, Joe Jordan, Sr. and Henry Walker.

Deaconesses included:  Katie Washington, Lizzie Brown, Birdie Saul, Lue White, Josephine Montgomery, Sarah Spears, Estella Lee, Polly Lee, Irene Webb, Edna Walker, Rosie England, and Bertha Bingham.

Sister Teresa Jordan has served the church as secretary since 1947. (Our Island Heritage, Vol 2, 1977, compiled by Sophie Haley and Mickey Smith.  History of Maitland Baptist Church provided by Teresa Jordan)

Around this same time in 1858, Mr. Samuel S. Bowman gave an acre of land across the Tensas River from his plantation, Wildwood, on which the Tensas Chapel was built.  

There was a crossing at Greenville (between Lee Bayou and Foules) where the people crossed in boats, and walked up to the church.  This was a Methodist Church in which services were held until around 1921 or 1922.  The building was torn down around 1934.

In 1865, the New Salem Baptist Church was built on Mr. Jimmy Newsome's property.  This building was later moved to a spot close to where the Martin School now stands, and still later, this building was moved to town.  

Pilgrim Baptist Church was built in 1878 on land given by Mrs. Mamie Carrol.

Pilgrim Baptist Church, 2013

St. Paul Baptist Church was built around 1880, on land given by the Peniston family.


Mount Olive Baptist Church was established in 1894, built on a spot very near where the Walter Knotts house stands today.  The building burned in 1945 and was rebuilt that same year in its present location.  It was again rebuilt in 1971.  A fish pond is now located on the original spot.  The old cemetery is still there, but is not in use today.  Records of the first members have not been kept.  The first pastor was Reverend Henderson, being followed in order by Rev. Davis, Rev. Johnnie Erving, Rev. Jessie Nelson, Rev. Henry Finister, Rev. Fred Green, and Rev. Robert Wells.

The first deacons were Dan Smith, Amos Brown, Bob Evean, Amos Kalles, Joe Ware, and Robert Leveling who was also clerk.

As of the late 1970s, the church had sixty-eight members and five deacons.  The deacons were Richard Wilford, Louis Skipper, Mose Kerry, James Henry, and Edward Sargent who was also the clerk.  Brother R. M. Sargent served as clerk for many years and was followed in this office by Brother Edward Sargent.

The Sons of the House were Rev. Ike Brown, Rev. Henry Skipper, Rev. Joe Washington, and Rev. Leroy Henderson.

Mount Olive Baptist Church, 2011

 The Usher Board was established in the church in the early 1930s by Rev. Henderson.  Rev. Henry Finister had the distinction of having served the church for the most years and of having baptised the most members.  (Our Island Heritage, Vol 2, 1977, compiled by Sophie Haley and Mickey Smith.  History of Mount Olive Church was provided by Edward Sargent, Clerk)

 

Many of these churches are still standing, with services held in them regularly.

About 1903, a group of neighbors, feeling the need of Christian fellowship, Bible study and prayer, began gathering in people's homes in the Pine Hill area.  They lacked a preacher, but a bond held them together, the bond of Christian love and concern.  As these meetings grew in number, it was decided to hold a protracted meeting in the Pine Hill Methodist Church.  The revival was a great success, and arrangements were made to have services in the Methodist Church once monthly.  Since the Methodist Church also held services once a month, this building offered a place of worship twice each month.  

After the Pine Hill Baptist Church was organized in 1908, and having called a pastor, they began having services in the Pine Hill schoolhouse.  

Pine Hill Baptist Church, 2011

By 1912, the membership felt the time had come for a church of their own.  The Pine Hill schoolhouse, in which school was no long being held, was purchased.  

This building was used until 1925, when it was torn down; the plot of land was exchanged for that on which the church now stands, and the new building was in use by June of that year.  (Brooks, Mrs. Thelma, The History of Pine Hill Church, 1976, pp. 1-7.)

Sometime around the turn of the century, a Methodist parsonage was built on land given by Mr. H. M. Peniston.  Though the original building has been replaced by a more modern one, it was still standing in the late 1970s on the land originally given for this purpose.

Due to transportation and poor roads, the Methodist in Florence began holding church services in the school building, which later became the Spencer Home.  In 1895, Mr. Louis K. Hyde deeded for $1.00 land for a church building.

The fore-runner of present day revivals was called protracted meetings.  They were always held for one full week, but sometimes the people were so spiritually revived, that the meetings would continue for two or more weeks.

Baptisms

Norris Springs, 2011

 

Baptisms for the many who united with the church were held in various places.  Some of them were Deer Creek, Lake Louis, Norris Springs and McCarty Branch, located near what is today referred to as Polk's Hollow.  In the last two, the water flowed so freely from springs and rain water gushing down the hills, that areas had been dug out deep enough for baptisms, and it was in these places that many of the young people learned to swim.

It was during one of these meetings, held by two 'lady preachers', Mrs. Bartlett and Mrs. Pardue, that plans were made to construct a Methodist Church building on the land deeded by Mr. Hyde.  The building was constructed about 1910, with Judge John Marshall, who was also a minister, as the first pastor.  The present Methodist educational building stands on the land originally given.

(left) The First United Methodist Church constructed about 1910; (right) The present Methodist Educational Building