In 1859, a group of ten to twelve
people began to gather at the home of Louis Minor for prayer and Bible
study. Land for a church was purchased on Market Street for $100
in 1867 by Rev. Richard Dorsey for the Missionary Society of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. A small temporary building was built at the site
for services. At first, the church was known as the Colored
Methodist Episcopal Church of Opelousas.
On March 11, 1880, the congregation
bought additional property for $100 nest to the original church.
The pastor at that time was Rev. Washington Brooks. A frame church
was later built in 1894 on the new property. The pastor at that time
was Rev. E.B. Richard. It was replaced by a new church in August
of 1924. The third and current church building was constructed
in 1975 under the leadership of Rev. Talmadge E. McElroy. In 2002,
a barbecue facility was added to the property.
Over the years, the church has
nurtured six people into the ministry: Webster Castain, Richard Harry,
James Haynes, Moses Jackson, Chris Jones, and Marvette Thomas. |
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