Lisbon Church History

History of the Lisbon United Methodist Church

1849 – 1974

By Mrs. Phil Collins

A Methodist Society was organized in April, 1849, in the Thomas B. Wafer home, one and a half miles from Lisbon.1 Services were held in this home and at a campground in the summer, under a brush arbor. A pulpit was erected under the arbor and people sat on benches. The campground was 3 miles from the present site of the Claiborne Gasoline Plant.2

After the Wafers left the community, services were held in a one room school building located on what is now the United Methodist Church grounds. This building was lighted by coal oil lamps and heated by a huge fireplace. Worshipers sat on benches with no backs.2

One historian writes: “The membership there (Lisbon) now are worshipping in their third house, which was built several years ago, but has recently been put in neat repair. Methodistism in this community has had a steady and vigorous growth. Along though its history some of the most sterling men of the parish have composed a part of its membership, and the influences which have gone out from this religious center have resulted in untold blessings upon the material, educational and moral welfare of the community.”3

Class membership rolls kept by James McClendon and preserved by his great-granddaughter, Mrs. W. F. Manning of Ruston, list 16 male members and 17 female members in 1849.4

The church was first known as Providence Church; in 1853 the name was changed to Lisbourn Church, later spelled Lisbon. 4

In 1850 the church was part of the D’Arbonne circuit in the Ouachita District with John N. Hamill, Presiding Elder and R. M. Crowson, Preacher in Charge and 24 members were added. 4

It was the custom for slaves to accompany their masters to worship services and 9 colored members were listed in 1850 along with their owners. 4

  1. H. McClendon joined the Louisiana Conference in 1856 as a minister from the Lisbon Church. James T. Wafer is listed as a Local Preacher in 1852 – 1853. 4 He married Dr. Seth Tatum and Amanda Sherard on July 21, 1850, in the Lisbon Methodist Church. Dr. Tatum and two of his little daughters, along with a granddaughter, are buried near the picnic tables back of the present church. In later years his marker was moved inside the cemetery. 5
  2. M. Clements is listed as a Local Preacher from 1860 – 1870, a L. Deacon from 1873 to 1882. Although his name appears on the church roll in 1884 and 1886, there are no initials after his name. John L. Williams is listed as an L. Elder 1860 to 1880. John Akin is listed as a Local Preacher from 1860 to 1869. A. S. McClendon was a Local Preacher in 1860 and 1862. 4

Ministers known to be appointed to Lisbon by the Louisiana Conference:

1849                D. S. Watkins                                       1872                T. J. Upton *

1850               R. M. Crowson                                     1873 – 74        (Unknown)

1851                Richmond Randle                                 1875                John L. Williams

1852                J. C. Blackman                                     1876                Whitmel P. Kimball

1853                (Unknown)                                          1877                Thomas J. Upton

1854                Richmond Randle                                 1878 – 79        Robert Parvin *

1855                J. Pipes                                                            1880 – 84        (Unknown)

1856 – 57        D. S. Watkins                                       1885                J. W. Medlock *

1858 – 59        D. P. Cullen                                         1886 – 88        (Unknown)

1860                C. W. Hodge                                        1889                James J. Billingsley

1861                T. H. McClendon                                 1890                J. L. P. Sheppard

1862                John H. Boult                                       1891                Robert Randle *

1863 – 64        W. D. Slayton                                      1892                (Unknown)

1865                Philo M. Goodwyn                               1893 – 94        R. M. Blocker *

1866 – 69        (Unknown)                                          1895                Thomas J. Upton

1870                Thomas J. Upton                                 1896 – 97        Daniel C. Barr

1871                J. W. Medlock                                      1898 – 99        B. H. Sheppard

1900                B. H. Sheppard                                     1941 – 42        L. W. Smart

1901 – 04        J. B. Williams                           June 1942 – Feb 43      R. E. Walton

1905                W. T. Woodward                     Feb – Nov 1943                       F. A. Matthews

1906                J. O. Bennett                                        1943 – 44        Jeff P. Paul

1907 – 08        R. Randle                                             1944 – 48        W. D. Boddie

1909 – 12        J. B. Williams                                       1848 – 49        D. J. Anders

1913                J. C. Price                                            1849 – 51        L. A. Carrington

1914                J. G. Sloane                                          1951 – 52        W. Carl Barham

1915                L. I. McCain                                        1952 – 55        B. Paul Durbin

1916                W. L. Doss                                           1955 – 56        S. Percy Emanuel

1917                G. D. Purcell                                        1956 – 58        Roland K. Freidrick

1918 – 19        C. F. Sheppard                                      1958 – 62        George P. Goodwin

1920 – 21        J. A. McCormack                                 1962 – 64        Oliver Thomas

1922                Unknown                                             1964 – 65        W. R. Akin

1923 – 24        J. W. Faulk                                           1965 – 68        C. Edward Henkel

1925 – 26         H. W. Jordan                                        1968 – 69        A. D. St. Amant

1927                S. J. Starkey                                         1969 – 70        Leo Bech

1928 – 30        J. F. Waltman                                      1970 – 72        Joe Robinson

1932 – 34        W. F. Roberts                                       1973 – 74        Karl B. Tooke

1935                H. W. Cudd                                          1974                Terry C. Lowe

1936 – 37        J. F. Dring

1938 – 39        Otis W. Spinks

1940                A. D. George

*   After minister’s name indicates their names are on the church register. All other information on the ministers was taken from the Louisiana Conference Journals, 1849 – 1942 on file in the Centenary College Library.

The church acquired three acres of land by Deed of Gift from James McClendon on August 5, 1871.6 A church was built on this ground in 1872 * by David J. Carathers. It is described as being a long, one room structure with two front, two back, and two side doors. It had long windows with green wooden shutters outside the glass windows. Two benches along either side of the front of the church were known as the Amen Corners. There was a waist high partition running through the center of the church. The men and boys sat on the north side of the partition and the women, girls, and small children sat on the south side. Coal oil lamps with wall reflectors were used to light the church and wood heaters were used to heat the church.2 This church was located a little northwest of where the church now stands. In 1926 – 27 the old church was moved to the present location and a sanctuary added to the building forming the shape of a “T”. The stained glass windows were put in at this time. The pulpit, choir, and side Sunday School rooms were part of the old building. S. J. Starkey was the pastor.

In 1966 the church received $1,000 from the Eunice Meadows estate and part of the money was used to remodel the front steps in 1967. C. Ed Henkel was the pastor.

Harmon Patton gave the church a house in 1944 that had been on the Tippitt Drilling Company lease near his home. The house was moved in behind the church under the direction of Otis Welch and Millard Killgore. Ralph Killgore assisted in remodeling it and it was used for Sunday School rooms and a recreation hall. It was sold to Sharon Baptist Church for $1,000 when the new education building was built. It was moved and used as a parsonage by the Sharon Church. Jeff P. Paul was pastor.

An education building was added in 1954 and at that time the front of the sanctuary was remodeled, making the church into an impressive and effective place of worship. The education building was dedicated on November 15, 1959. It was presented for dedication by Phil Collins, Sunday School Superintendent, to District Superintendent Luman E. Douglas. George P. Goodwin was the pastor.

*   Manuscript of Mrs. Ella Killgore Bailey states 1875.

On April 1, 1893, the Board of Trustees of Lisbon Church of the Lisbon Circuit of Arcadia District bought 11 acres for a place of residence for preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 7

The deed was signed by A. B. Boykin and Company and attested to by R. T. McClendon and Talbot D. Meadors and sworn to by R. T. McClendon. The Board of Trustees were J. J. Duke, J. W. Cook, W. O. McDonald, D. A. Williams, James McClendon, and J. W. Dawson. The property was located on the northeast edge of Lisbon. On December 5, 1899, 1.8 acres was sold to Mrs. Viola White. On February 3, 1914, the remaining 9 1/8 acres were sold to L. L. Lowrey.7

On October 2, 1937, the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Ruston District, Dubach charge, Louisiana Conference acquired ½ acres (90’ x 243’) in Sec 23 T21N Range 5W, from G. T. Dawson, Lucille Doss, and Carrie Del Walker, as a place of residence for the use and occupancy of preachers. 8   A parsonage was built on this property in 1939. Otis W. Spinks was the first pastor to live in it.

The Epworth League was formed in 1895 and ceased in 1939 when the Methodist Churches united, forming the Methodist Youth Fellowship. A Young People’s fellowship group (later becoming the MYF) was organized in 1944 with W. W. “Bud” McDonald, president, Ray Killgore, vice president, Joe Reynolds, secretary treasurer, Louise McDonald, program leader, Clarice Jarrell, pianist, and Otis Welch, counselor. W. D. Boddie was the pastor.

Earliest records of a Sunday School were destroyed. Records beginning in 1889 reported the Sunday School as having collected $11.40 for the first quarter. Out of this $6.00 was paid to sexton and $3.95 for literature. Cash on hand was $1.45. Sunday School classes were held in the school building in 1926-1927 while the new sanctuary was being built. Church funds reported for the first quarter were $42.25. In 1974 funds reported for the first quarter were $1,268.50. Sunday School Superintendents of record are: J. W. Dawson, R. T. McClendon, G. T. Dawson, Jack Bailey, and Phil Collins.

The Secretary of the church in 1889 was N. J. Thornton, followed by D. A. Williams and C. S. L. Patton who served for 46 years. The first two served as secretary and treasurer, as the job became heavier the office was divided. 9   Irene Clements Lowrey served as secretary after Mr. Patton. Blanche Patton Hensley followed Mrs. Lowrey and presently serves as secretary of records and history. L. C. Starr, Marion Lowrey, Jack Bailey, Millard Killgore, Grady Dawson, Albert McKee, G. D. Sims, Mrs. Jack Bailey, and Mrs. Phil Collins have recently served as treasurer.

The first Vacation Church School was held in 1944 under the direction of the pastor’s wife, Mrs. Jeff Paul, and continued until 1958. Youth Week replaced the Vacation Church Schools for a few years after 1958.

A piano was given to the church on August 6, 1927 by the Women’s Missionary Society. The organ was given by the family of Narcissus A. Patton in her memory. Mrs. Patton joined the church by letter in 1853 and was a long time member. 4

Pianists and organists as far back as we have a record:

Irma Meadows                                    Irene Clements

Pauline Randle                                    Dorothy Killgore

Lillie May Williams                            Louise McDonald

Laurice Patton                                     Margaret Caruthers Thurmon

Irene Bailey                                         Mrs. Dallas Mount

Bob Patton

Funds for all the present pulpit furniture, brass cross, a new piano, rug, chair seats, and folding chairs were raised by the Fidelis Class in approximate period between 1945 – 1960.

The first Women’s Missionary Society was organized on July 20, 1925, with the assistance of H. W. Jordan, who was the pastor and his wife. The first officers were: President – Mrs. B. W. McDonald, Vice-President – Mrs. C. S. L. Patton, Cor. Secretary – Mrs. Cleo McDonald, Rec. Secretary – Mrs. B. W. Bailey, Treasurer – Mrs. H. D. McDonald. Other members were:

Mrs. Alice Dawson                            Mrs. Doyle McDonald

Mrs. S. M. Carathers                          Mrs. A. N. Suggs

Mrs. John Gilbert                               Mrs. B. H. Clements

Mrs. Lizzie Cook                               Mrs. W. E. Killgore

Mrs. Hilliard Greer                             Mrs. Bob McClendon

Mrs. Larkin Lowrey                           Mrs. Joe Killgore

When the Methodist churches united in 1939, the name was changed to the Women’s Society of Christian Service. After the Methodist Church united with the E. U. B. church in 1968, the name was changed to the Women’s Society of Christian Service and a charter meeting was held on October 8, 1968. A. D. St. Amant was the the pastor. Members were:

Mrs. Doyle McDonald – President

Mrs. Phil Collins – Vice-President

Mrs. W. E. Killgore – Recording Secretary

Mrs. B. W. McDonald – Secretary of Christian Social Relations & Supply

Mrs. Otis Welch – Secretary of Membership and Spiritual Life

Mrs. A. D. St. Amant

Mrs. B. H. Clements

Mrs. Dallas Mount

Mrs. Blanche P. Hensley

The name of the Women’s Society has since been changed to the United Methodist Women.

 

 

Sources of Information

  1. Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana (1890), Claiborne Parish Library, Homer, La., No. 976-3, page 383
  2. Manuscript of Ella Killgore Bailey
  3. History of Claiborne Parish by D. W. Harris and B. M. Hulse (from 1828 to 1885), Claiborne Parish Library, Homer.
  4. Copies of class membership rolls of Lisbon Methodist Church on file in the Claiborne Parish Clerk of Court office, Homer.
  5. Manuscript of John R. Malone, Sr.
  6. Book J, page 478, Claiborne Parish Clerk of Court Office, Homer.
  7. Abstract, L. C. Lowrey.
  8. Book 110, page 295, Claiborne Parish Clerk of Court office, Homer.
  9. Grady T. Dawson Memorial Book, Lisbon United Methodist Church.

 

Louisiana Conference Journals, 1849 – 1942, on file at Centenary College Library, Shreveport.