When Charles Haines family
moved to the area from Iowa in 1888, they and other families wanted to
start a Methodist church and Sunday School. Services began in the area
when Rev. C.A. King, pastor of the Simpson Methodist Church in Lake Charles,
came by to hold services once a month for the eight charter members.
After a revival by Rev. Bennett in
the early 1900s, more people joined the group. After the revival,
Rev. Paul Leeds
a missionary to the Coushatta Indians
often came by
to hold services. In those days the gatherings were a combination
of Methodists and Baptists, so it was a union congregation. At some
point in the early 1900s, the congregations had grown and the Baptists
separated to form their own congregation.
Under the leadership of Rev. George
Purcell, a new church building was constructed in 1927-28.
A parsonage was not acquired until 1949. In 1958, a fellowship hall
was added under the leadership of Rev. J.C. Skinner. In 1971, the
church facilities were remodeled.
Source: Oberlin Methodist Church, Maude Cranford Musselwhite |
