The Prairie Mer Rouge Methodist
Episcopal Church was first organized by twenty people under the guidance
of Loolah McLaurin. The met at the Sisson School on the Oak Ridge
Road, three and a half miles south or Mer Rouge. Ms. McLaurin later
moved the school (she was the principal) to Mer Rouge. A Ladies Aid
Society was formed and led in raising the funds for a church. The
first structure was completed in 1893. The preacher from Oak Ridge
would visit the congregation to conduct services. In 1901, Mer Rouge
built their own parsonage.
In 1940-41, the Trinity Methodist
Church building in Ruston was set to be torn down. “Miss Gertie”
White led a delegation from Mer Rouge to speak to Mr. B.H. Rainwater, who
had purchased the Trinity church structure. They made a deal to acquire
the Kilgen pipe organ, the stained glass windows, and the pews. After
months of remodeling work, the newly acquired materials were installed
in the Mer Rouge church.
Not long after the renovation
of the sanctuary, an education building was constructed on the east side
of the church. The debts from its construction were paid off in two
years.
In 1975, the membership of the
Bonne Ida church merged with Mer Rouge. |
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