Ashland in Port Allen in West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
St. Mark Baptist Church
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, October 21, 2023
1. St. Mark Baptist Church Marker
St. Mark Baptist Church was erected in 1877 at Chamberlin. St. Mark began as a barge structure for 44 years when pulled from the Mississippi River and taken by wagons to this spot. Over 150 members from Smithfield, Orange Grove, Winterville, and Erwinville Plantations started the Church. The Church cornerstone contains the names: G. McQuillon: J. Tackneau: L. Payne: P. Huntley: C. Payne: E. Savage: and R. Williams. St. Mark was the first school for many black people in the area. Louise Viola Logan was the only teacher for all grades. To date, there have been 9 pastors, who have ministered to members from the northern part of West Baton Rouge Parish. The Church serves the community as a voting site, storm shelter, community meeting place, and food pantry. Originally purchased from the Devall Family and paid for by member lease for 100 years. St. Mark has saved many souls and buried many in its two cemeteries: Ashland and Orange Grove (donated by the Laws family). Ashland Cemetery, located behind the Church, was donated by the Henry Devall Family. Members of the Devall family are buried along with black members
this page online
Erected by West Baton Rouge Historical Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.
Location. 30° 32.108′ N, 91° 17.86′ W. Marker is in Port Allen, Louisiana, in West Baton Rouge Parish. It is in Ashland. It is on Section Road (Route 920) 0.3 miles west of River Road (Louisiana Highway 415), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6148 Section Road, Port Allen LA 70767, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s River Parishes, in Acadiana Cajun Country, and in Greater Baton Rouge. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, October 21, 2023
2. St. Mark Baptist Church Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Allendale Plantation (approx. 3.3 miles away); James "Slim Harpo" Moore (approx. 4.6 miles away); Calumet Plantation (approx. 4.7 miles away); Rosedale Road (approx. 5.8 miles away); Scott's Bluff (approx. 6.1 miles away); Mississippi River (approx. 6.1 miles away); Southern University (approx. 6.1 miles away); Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback (approx. 6.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Allen.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2023, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 565 times since then and 146 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 21, 2023, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. 2. submitted on October 28, 2023, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.
