Preaching in the Natchitoches area
dates back to the early 1800s. One of the first circuit riders in
the area was Rev. William Stephenson who organized the Natchitoches circuit
in 1826. It was sometimes called the Cane River circuit.
When John Burke was appointed to the
Natchitoches Mission in 1841, he was holding services on Sunday morning
and evening at the courthouse. They soon combined resources with
the Episcopal Church, which had a church but no pastor. The first
service there was led by Rev. J.W. White with two members present … Mrs.
T. Haller and Etheldred Smith.
Although pastors were appointed
from the 1840s through 1866, none were assigned from 1867 to 1874.
After Rev. James White was appointed for 1875, the church was incorporated
(1876). A white frame church was built under the leadership of Rev.
T.J. Hough in 1876-78 on the corner of Lafayette and Second Streets.
It was paid for ($100 for the lot and $2000 for the building) by 1880.
Thomas Porter was the board chairman, serving in that position for 49 years.
A parsonage was built on Pavie Street in 1899.
The church relocated in 1909 when
a lot was purchased on Second Street. The Spanish stucco church cost
$8,000 and was completed by 1912.
A new sanctuary was built on the property
in 1952-53 under the leadership of Rev. Benedict Galloway. When that
church burned down in 1962, it was rebuilt the following year under Rev.
George Pearce.
A new parsonage was built in 1969
while Rev. Jolly B. Harper was in charge. After additional property
was purchased, a Family Life Center was built in 1984. |
|
