Bayou Chicot in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Calvary Baptist Church
Bayou Chicot
Founded in 1812
Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, May 24, 2019
1. Calvary Baptist Church Marker
Joseph Willis was the first Baptist minister to preach the Gospel west of the Mississippi River. Between 1804-1805, Willis arrived in Bayou Chicot, Louisiana, where he began evangelizing and meeting with believers. This group did not establish an official "church” as Willis was denied ordination due to his mixed race heritage. Once ordained, he chartered Calvary Baptist Church on November 13, 1812. The church's original site is located 1 mile north of its current location at Vandenburg Cemetery. The congregation moved in the mid 1800s and is the oldest existing Baptist church west of the Mississippi River. The members of Calvary assisted in the formation of several Louisiana Baptist churches, the Louisiana Baptist Association (1818), and the Louisiana Baptist Convention (1849)
Erected 2012 by Louisiana Baptist Convention.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical date for this entry is November 13, 1812.
Location. 30° 48.806′ N, 92° 21.131′ W. Marker is in Bayou Chicot, Louisiana, in Evangeline
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. White's Chapel United Methodist Church (approx. 8.9 miles away); City of Ville Platte City Hall (approx. 9.6 miles away); National Register of Historic Places (approx. 9.6 miles away); Ville Platte (approx. 9.6 miles away); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 9.7 miles away); Fogleman Cemetery (approx. 10½ miles away); Fred's Lounge (approx. 13.2 miles away); Bunkie Depot Museum (approx. 14 miles away).
More about this marker. Stop in at parsonage, and ask Pastor for tour. Great history inside building, and the pastor is very nice, knowledgeable, and happy to show visitors around.
May 24, 2019
2. Calvary Baptist Church Marker
May 24, 2019
3. Calvary Baptist Church
Current church building built in the 1960's. According to current Pastor, one of the small "wings" attached to rear of church was part of first church built on this site.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 248 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 7, 2019. 3. submitted on June 7, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.
