Near Leesville in Vernon Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Vernon Baptist Association
Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 5, 2017
1. Vernon Baptist Association Marker
Inscription.
Vernon Baptist Association. . At the 24th annual session of the Sabine Association, Oct. 16, 1871, delegates from the First District petitioned for Letters of Dismission for the purpose of forming the Vernon Baptist Association. Signing for the churches were: Benjamin Franklin and M.H. Stanly for Castor; Elder N.H Bray for Anna Coco; Elder J. Bolton and W.A. Holton for Walnut Hill; elder J.R. O'Banion and J.O Franks for Mt. Vernon and Elder James E. Melton for Comrade, Clementine, Elam, Pleasant Grove and Smyrna. Boundaries of the VBA were the Sabine Association on the north, the Sabine River on the west, the Calcasieu Association on the south and the Red River on the east. VBA's first annual session met with Castor Church Oct. 15, 1872. Elder J.E. Melton's introductory message was from Luke 11:13. On the Sabbath morning Elder Bray brought the missionary message from Romans 10:11-15. Elder Bray was elected Moderator, M..H. Stanly, Clerk and C.D. Collins, Treasurer. Ordained ministers were: Elders Bray, Melton, O'Branion, A.P. Bebee, J. Bolton. B.O. Owens was licentiate. First year membership was 288 with 18 received by baptism. With 295 received by baptism in 2006, the VBA had 12,324 members in 44 churches and had 63 ordained ministers. 3 of the 9 founding churches of 1871 are alive today.
At the 24th annual session of the Sabine Association, Oct. 16, 1871, delegates from the First District petitioned for Letters of Dismission for the purpose of forming the Vernon Baptist Association. Signing for the churches were: Benjamin Franklin and M.H. Stanly for Castor; Elder N.H Bray for Anna Coco; Elder J. Bolton and W.A. Holton for Walnut Hill; elder J.R. O'Banion and J.O Franks for Mt. Vernon and Elder James E. Melton for Comrade, Clementine, Elam, Pleasant Grove and Smyrna. Boundaries of the VBA were the Sabine Association on the north, the Sabine River on the west, the Calcasieu Association on the south and the Red River on the east. VBA's first annual session met with Castor Church Oct. 15, 1872. Elder J.E. Melton's introductory message was from Luke 11:13. On the Sabbath morning Elder Bray brought the missionary message from Romans 10:11-15. Elder Bray was elected Moderator, M..H. Stanly, Clerk and C.D. Collins, Treasurer. Ordained ministers were: Elders Bray, Melton, O'Branion, A.P. Bebee, J. Bolton. B.O. Owens was licentiate. First year membership was 288 with 18 received by baptism. With 295 received by baptism in 2006, the VBA had 12,324 members in 44 churches and had 63 ordained ministers. 3 of the 9 founding churches of 1871 are alive today.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion
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. A significant historical date for this entry is October 16, 1871.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 31° 4.531′ N, 93° 16.416′ W. Marker was near Leesville, Louisiana, in Vernon Parish. Marker was on Lake Charles Highway (U.S. 171) 0.2 miles north of Section Line Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in front of Iglesia Bautista El Alfa y La Omega Baptist Church. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 12458 Lake Charles Highway, Leesville LA 71446, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 277 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 31, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
