THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH - Some Early Pastors

William Murrell

     The first pastor appointed to the Thibodaux and Houma circuit was William Murrell. By the end of 1866, there were 340 members on the circuit and two churches were being completed. Born about 1814 in South Carolina, William Murrell was the son of a slave (Rebecca) and her "master", Peter Murrell. While a boy, William was owned by a youth named Toby, who helped him learn to read. While he was with Toby, William was converted and felt called to the ministry. He was later sold and brought to New Orleans in chains as a young man. William was bought by a Mr. Wolridge, a minister of the gospel, who allowed William to improve his education and to preach. He preached in African Methodist and Methodist Episcopal, South churches. He married Comfort Caroline Cokee in 1851. After the war, Rev. Murrell joined the newly formed Mississippi Mission Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
      It was under Rev. Murrell's leadership that the first Methodist Episcopal churches were built in Houma and Thibodaux. In 1868, Rev. Murrell was elected to the State Legislature by the Republican party and served several terms. Because of his bold and determined style of speech, he was known in the Legislature as "the wild man from Lafourche." During his stay on the Thibodaux/Houma circuit, where they say his word was law, he never accepted money for his preaching services. After fifty years of preaching in the Methodist Church, Rev. Murrell passed away on February 7, 1892.

Robert Hodge

    Rev. Robert Hodge, born a slave in Virginia in 1807, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for 47 years. He was one of the original preachers of the Mississippi Mission Conference back in 1866. On his deathbed he said, "I am waiting for the Lord and feel as a soldier mustered out of service going to his reward."

Austin Kennedy

      Austin Kennedy, the original pastor of the church in Schriever, worked in a local sawmill. After being admitted on trial in 1870, he served most of his ministry in the Terrebonne area. He passed away in 1895 and was buried in Schriever.

Henry P. Taylor

     Rev. Henry P. Taylor was born in 1825 in South Carolina. He was converted at age thirteen. Though born aslave, he was able to receive an education with the free children. He came to Louisiana in 1845 and helped erect Wesley Chapel in New Orleans. Rev. Taylor transferred from the African Zion Connection to the Louisiana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1873. After serving in New Orleans for two years, he served in Houma for two years. Rev. Taylor was remembered as a fine vocalist and Christian gentleman. While serving in Houma, Rev. Taylor passed away on January 15, 1877. He was survived by his second wife and his three children. He was buried in Terrebonne Parish.