The Historic Bethlehem Baptist Church Of Flagville, Louisiana

The Historic Bethlehem Baptist Church Of Flagville, Louisiana. 1865-Present. The Historic Bethlehem Baptist Church was organized in 1865 by the Reverends Tom Peterson and Charles Thornton of New Orleans, Louisiana. They served the congregation until the church ordained the first pastor, the late Reverend Alfred D. Willis. The first church was built in 1869 during Reverend Willis's Pastorate. The second pastor was the late Reverend Westley Gross. During the Reverend Gross's pastorate the church purchased a parcel of ground now known as the Bethlehem Cemetery., The third pastor was the late Reverend Arthur Jones. The church was remodeled on September 28, 1919 during the Reverend Jones's pastorate. The Reverend Arthur Jones resigned from the pastorate on June 27, 1924. The Reverend Willie Steven of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Ama, Louisiana presided until brother Sidney H. Davis completed his ordination studies. The Reverend Sidney H. Davis completed his ordination on March 28, 1927 and became the fourth pastor. The first child blessed by the new pastor was Alma Robertson, the firstborn of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Robertson on June 17, 1927. The first converts baptized were the late Sarah Ramson, Joe Butler and Alfred Burell. In 1979 the Church was rebuilt under the leadership of the Reverend Sidney H. Davis., In 1983 after a long and fruitful ministry the Reverend Sidney H. Davis became ill indefinitely. During this time Dr. John B. Davis Jr. and the late Reverend Sidney H. Davis along with the congregation appointed the Reverend Rodney L. Johnson as the presiding minister. The Lord does work in mysterious ways because the Reverend Sidney H. Davis had tutored brother Rodney L. Johnson for ordination two year prior to his illness. On July 25, 1981 brother Rodney L. Johnson was ordained from the Children of Israel Baptist Church of Killona, Louisiana under the pastorship of Dr. John B. Davis Jr. The ordination service was conducted by the St. Charles Missionary Baptist Association also under the leadership of Dr. Davis. On September 15, 1984 the Reverend Rodney L. Johnson was installed as pastor of the Historic Bethlehem Baptist Church by the St. Charles Missionary Baptist Association. The first convert baptized by the new pastor was Tyra Williams, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Williams., The Historic Bethlehem Baptist Church continues to flourish spiritually and numerically under pastor Johnson's leadership. In the month of August 2001, the Lord has again blessed the congregation with a new sanctuary. The Bethlehem Family will continue to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to every dying soul on this side of Heaven., 2nd plaque , This Monument was erected to commemorate our predecessors. Those vocal heroes who have now joined that silent majority. They were our pastors, teachers, deacons, deaconesses, ushers and the loyal workers of yesterday's church. Although they now reside in the heaven, their memories burn as eternal flames in our hearts. We praise God for our predecessors great or small. There can be no celebration of today's accomplishments without a genuine reflection of yesterday's toil. This monument is a vivid reminder of the vibrant souls who once stood where we stand. May the day never dawn when we as a people become so devoid of our sense of history that we cease to honor the great warriors of our past. Let us take pride in our history. Let it be told for the education and empowerment of a rising generation. Let it be told to empower our spirit of prayer during tough times. Let it be told to prevent the spirit of dullness. We must not forget the path that they left for us. When others have forgotten, it is our duty to make them remember., May God Bless and Keep You - Pastor Rodney L. Johnson, Sr. and the Historic Bethlehem Baptist Church Family , Special Acknowledgements: This Monument was constructed by "Parishwide Services". (Harold Falgout) Special Thanks to the Honorable Judge Chaisson for his support and approval of our vision. Special Thanks to Mr. Kermit Dufour who built the replica of our old church. Special Thanks to Mrs. Kenyatta Weber and Mrs. Carolyn Boyd for their diligent effort toward the completion of this project., In Memory of Previous Pastors - Reverend Alfred D. Willis 1865-1880 - Reverend Westley Gross 1880-1917 - Reverend Arthur Jones 1917-1927 - Reverend Sidney H. Davis 1927-1984