|
Jenkins
Memorial Baptist Church
|
|
1902
~
Church
History
~ 2009
|
| Baptist work began in
St. Martinville in 1902. In 1941 three missionaries began working with
Baptist living in the area. In 1943, Windham Johnson, a seminary
student, began meeting with faithful few. Under the leadership of First
Baptist
Church of New Iberia, they met at one place or another until they were
offered the use of the Albert Rousseau Lodge as a meeting place.
Ethbert Hagan replaced Brother Johnson and continued the work until he
was called to an organized church. Under the leadership of Eddie Savoie an appeal for financial aid was made to Mrs. Mary Lou Jenkins, the mother of French missions in south Louisiana. The Woman's Missionary Union (W.M.U.) responded with prayers and a check for $500 to help purchase a lot. After many rejections, the land was finally purchased. A second appeal was sent to Mrs. Jenkins and the W.M.U. Back came a check for $7000 to help construct a building. Brother Savoie became the first pastor and served until the end of December 1948. From 1949 to 1958, four pastors led the church to start a mission in the small community of Catahoula and to assume the responsibility of the Grand Bayou Mission. They also purchased a pastorium and added classrooms to the original church building. Reverend Wallace Primeaux Jr. became pastor in 1958 an served until 1973. During that time, the church purchased the property where the present building stands. In 1966, the present building and pastorium were built. While Brother Primeaux served, the church grew in number and became well established in St. Martinville. In 1973, Reverend Dore Langley became pastor and served until 1998. During that time the church membership continued to grow, mission work in Catahoula continued, choirs were formed for members of all ages (children through seniors), and the church continued to give to the Cooperative Program. During the more than 50 years of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church's existence, the membership has grown from the original 36 charter members to the average worship attendance of 80. We are blessed to have Brother Jessie Charpentier, now serving as pastor, and the church is presently growing and reaching new believers for Christ in the St. Martinville area. We are involved in several local ministries as well as continuing to give faithfully to the Cooperative Program. |