Rev. Jenkins would stop at the
home of Mrs. Bill Gilliam on route from Plain Dealing to Mooringsport.
On one such stop, he was persuaded to hold a service in the community.
Since there was no place to meet, that first service was held in a railroad
box car. Attendees climbed up a ladder to the car and sat on boxes
for the service. Soon after, the community decided to build a church.
Though it was first proposed as a Union church, the majority of interested
persons were Methodist and they decided to build a Methodist church.
The hat was passed and $200 collected. In 1902, the first church was built.
It was located across the bayou, just north of the current site.
The first preacher assigned
to the new church was Rev. R.J. Harp. He lived in a rented apartment
during his pastorate. When a parsonage was built in Ida in 1905,
the circuit pastor stayed there.
In 1908, a storm destroyed the
church. After rebuilding their homes, the began reconstructing the
church. The new, larger church was built later that year south of
the bayou. The cross atop the church was salvaged from the wreckage
of the original church.
Under the leadership of Rev.
James L. Beasley, the congregation decided to build a new church in 1955.
Rev. Beasley could often be found lending a hand in the construction of
the brick facility.
In 2003, the Belcher congregation
merged with Gilliam. The first church services were held in Belcher
on the lower floor of a two-story building near the railroad. Community
dances were held on the upper floor. Services were also held once
a month at the Presbyterian church for a while.
In 1914-15, Mr. L.F.C. Pearce
and Dr. J.E. Henderson began raising funds to build a church in town.
Though both soon died, their work was completed by Dr. T.B. Tooke, Mr.
W.E. McDade, and Mr. L.J. Pitts. Property was purchased on May 24,
1916 from Mr. W.E. Dade for $200. The church was built later that
same year. It had a curved altar and three stained glass windows.
The church’s first appointed pastor was Rev. J.C. Price. A
parsonage was later purchased (1919-21) while Rev. A.H. Parker was pastor.
Under the leadership of Rev.
James L. Beasley, a new sanctuary was constructed. The old sanctuary
was incorporated into the new facilities, which was completed by January
1955. A fourth stained glass window was also added. The first
service in the new sanctuary was held on February 13, 1955. |
