HISTORY

OF

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

DE RIDDER, LOUISIANA

1901-2006

Pastors:

N.F. Hoffpauir, 1901
J. M. Alford, 1902
R. V. Fulton, 1903
T. J. Hollady, 1904
S. L. Riggs, 1905-06
B. T. Crews, 1907-08
J. W. Booth, 1909-10
J. F. Foster, 1911-13
W. S. Henry, 1914-16
P. M. Brown, 1917-18
C. E. Fike, 1919-20
H. W. Rickey, 1921
H. T. Young, 1922-24
E. C. Gunn, 1925
J. L. Evans, 1926-27
H. W. Ledbetter, 1927-28
K. W. Dodson, 1929
H. E. Pfost, 1930-32
C. D. Atkinson, 1933-34
G. W. Pomeroy, 1935-36
A. S. Lutz, 1937-39
S. A. Seegars, 1940-41
D. W. Poole, 1942-46
C. R. Hardy, 1946-49
W. J. Reid, 1949-50
G. F. Pearce, Jr., 1950-56
J. C. Whitaker, 1956
Robert H. Jamieson, 1957-67
Charles E. Fike, Jr., 1968
W. C. Blakeley, 1969-70
J. C. Wallace. 1970-71
Odell Simmons, 1972-77
Henry Bowden 1977-80
Jack Wiengeart 1980-1984
Clyde Averett 1984-90
Rick Hebert 1990-1993
John and Marie Palmer Williams 1993-1997
Jon Tellifero 1997-2006

Mike McLaurin 2006-

These full time Christian Education Directors and Associate Pastors served First United Methodist Church:

W. S. Milton, Associate Pastor, 1963-64
Walter Clark, Education Director, 1965-67
Ann Calcote, Director of Christian Education, 1967-68
Doug Williams, Associate Pastor, 1970-72
Doug Cain, Associate Pastor, 1976-78
Jean-Pier Denis, Education Director, 1980
Karen Albano, Director of Christian Education, 1987-90
Aleta Valdez, Director of Christian Education, 1990-91; Associate Pastor, 1991-93
Mark Ifland, Education Director, 1997

For nearly one hundred years the Methodist Church has been a vital part of the DeRidder community. All through these years the Church has tried to fulfill its mission to make Christ real to the people of this community and to help its members grow in faith and Christian service. The Methodist Church has been active in Louisiana since 1805. During the Civil War the southern conferences of the church withdrew from the original Methodist Episcopal Church to form The Methodist Episcopal, South, and it was not until 1940 that the southern conferences rejoined the original church and the DeRidder Church became "The Methodist Church." The last change came when, in 1968, the Church united with the Evangelical United Bretheren Church and its affiliates. The official name of the Church is now "The First United Methodist Church."

Before the turn of the century DeRidder was a very small sawmill town. The first religious organization in town was a union Sunday School which met in the Oddfellows Hall.  It was out of this that the first church in DeRidder was organized, The Methodist Episcopal, South, in 1901. Rev. Nelson Hoffpauir was appointed by Bishop Charles B. Galloway to the Neame, Rosepine and DeRidder Circuit. In 1902 the Rev. J. M. Alford served Leesville and DeRidder where the meeting place had been moved to the lower floor of the Masonic Hall. With the Rev. R. V. Fulton as pastor in 1903, the Board of Stewards was composed of Robert Jones (father of future Governor Sam H. Jones), Dr. Sam McMahon, and Addison Heard. An active layman of this period was J. E. McMahon (grandfather of Mackie Bienvenu). The membership of seventy-eight (78) raised $212.00. The Rev. S. L. Riggs was the first full-time pastor in 1905-06.

It was during the ministry of the Rev. Riggs that the Hudson River Lumber Company donated to the church the two lots on the northeast comer of the present courthouse square, and the first church building was erected, a frame structure with a bell tower, a gabled roof and high arched windows. The cornerstone was laid July 2, 1905, but a yellow fever epidemic prevented use of the new building until November of that year. The Trustees were J. 0. Stewart, Frank P. Moss, W. B. Lindsey, Thomas Fears, A. I. Shaw (father of Mrs. G. H. Olds, Mrs. J. C. Nichols and Jewel Shaw Clymer), George W. Heard, Robert Jones, J. C. Bilbo, and Dr. H. McMahon. In 1906 two other trustees were added, Charles A. Paxon and Johnny Jones (father of Mrs. Paul Strecker, Booth Jones and James Jones).

Sometime before 1905 the Baptists had built their church. An amusing story is told that illustrates the closeness of the Baptist and Methodist Churches. It seems that one Sunday a man was passing the Methodist Church, and the congregation was singing, "Will there be any stars in my crown?" Then as he passed the Baptist Church their congregation was singing, "No, not one."

In 1913 DeRidder became the county seat of newly formed Beauregard Parish, and on September 11th the church property was sold to the Police Jury so that the new court house and jail buildings could occupy the entire east half of the downtown block. The selling price was $7,500.00 and the building was moved to the New Heights Road, now Martin Luther King Drive, where it is still used by the Starlight Baptist Church. Two months later, property at the comer of Pine and Port Streets was purchased from James E. McMahon for $2,000.00, Mr. McMahon having turned down other offers in order to save the location for his church.

In December of 1914 the Rev. Walter S. Henry was appointed pastor, having been specifically selected by Bishop James Atkins as a minister capable of building the new church in DeRidder. The Building Committee was composed of Charlie Sills, A. S. Hamilton and A. E. Stewart. One member gave a contribution to the building designated for a stained glass dome to top the structure; the dome was to match the beautiful windows. After many meetings of the committee, pastor and the architect, William Draco, the dome became a reality. However, it was found that the cost of the dome was far more than the large donation for it. For all the beauty of the design, it was impractical, causing leaks and much disturbance to the acoustics of the auditorium. The Rev. Henry was an able administrator and managed to hold his flock together to finish the building, the first brick church in DeRidder. First services were held there in 1915, and some years later the first wedding in the sanctuary was that of Miss Longino Titus and Mr. Fred Schweitzer who were both active in the church for many years to follow. The wedding was a large and beautiful one and was the social event of the year. Truly, the congregation was proud of the new church and its beauty, even though the comforts were few. No one had heard of air-conditioning, and for years the congregation could not even afford ceiling fans. In an attempt to stay cool in the summertime, the windows were opened and hand fans were kept busy; however, then mosquitoes became the problem! For many years there was no kitchen in the Church until a six by 8-foot storeroom was converted into a kitchen with a two- burner hotplate and a sink.

DeRidder's new building contained a large meeting room at the rear of the sanctuary, planned for use as a recreational room. It was surrounded on three sides by Sunday School rooms on the first level and the mezzanine level. So artfully designed was this unit that all twelve (12) of the Sunday School rooms could be opened to the recreational area and could become part of the main auditorium with the use of folding chairs. Even so, there were never enough Sunday School rooms, and some classes had to meet in the sanctuary. One member recalls a large placard that hung on the wall just above the inner door of the sanctuary on the Port Street Side that read, "What kind of Church would this Church be if every member were just like me?" This challenge faced every member every Sunday as no one ever entered the Church by the front door. The pews faced that way! When anyone entered by the front door, he was quickly "pegged" as a stranger.

First United Methodist is proud of its record of cooperation with other churches in the community. In the early days, there were no Catholic, Presbyterian, or Episcopal Churches in DeRidder, and the congregations worshipped in the Methodist Church. On another occasion Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians joined together to have a two-week revival.

In 1917-18 the Rev. Paul M. Brown served DeRidder First Church as minister. He had requested upon his death that he be buried in Woodlawn Cemetery beside his son, Ellis Brown, who died while in the service of his country in World War I. These names are familiar to all Louisiana Methodists, the Ellis Brown Memorial Chapel having been given by his two surviving brothers, Paul M. and Perry Brown. The mother left a living memorial to her dead son, a pecan tree that she planted in his honor on church property facing Pine Street, land that was then the front of the parsonage. Mrs. Brown lived out her remaining days near Woodlawn Cemetery in a retirement cottage that she bequeathed jointly to this church and Centenary College from which her husband and all three of her sons had graduated.

One of the highlights of the history of this church was the hosting, in 1920, of the 75th session of the Louisiana Annual Conference. In those years the Conference was held in a different city each year, and such an undertaking for DeRidder, a town of 3000 people, was an epic occasion. Preachers and delegates were guests in almost every home in town, and even the jury rooms in the Court House served as dormitories. Public eating places were completely inadequate so it was up to the membership to provide food for these many ministers and laymen during this Diamond Anniversary of the Louisiana Methodist Conference.

It is reported that financial problems of the Church always seemed to be a constant cause of worry. The Depression years were particularly hard. H. R. McLaughlin (husband of Mary McLaughlin) was the church treasurer during this time, and the men of the church actually "knocked on doors" to collect enough money to pay the minister's salary. Up until 1935, the highest salary paid for a minister was $125.00 per month and very few extras went with this. Unfortunately, this salary could not command an outstanding minister, so the Board of Stewards raised the salary to $150.00 in 1915. Then the Bishop sent one of the finest young ministers in the Conference, G. W. Pomeroy, to the DeRidder Church. Later when the treasurer gave his annual report, the amount received and spent for the year was $3400.00. One of the Board members responded, "We're spending too much money in this Church. We're going to have to do better." The Church didn't have many members who earned big salaries and even the professional men didn't earn much in those days. Extra money was hard to raise. The story is told that one year the Chairman of the Board was a local political leader, and when the Church was short of money, he would "shake down" those who were obligated to him for political favors. One member of the Baptist Church said he was giving more money to the Methodist Church than he gave to his own church. When one of the Methodist members complained to his minister that it was sinful to take "tainted" money given for political favors, Billy Pomeroy replied, "The only thing wrong with it is, it "taint" enough."

The DeRidder Church has attained great spiritual growth during times of crises. One of these times that stands out is the period of World War II, beginning in 1941. When Camp Polk, now Ft. Polk, was built, many soldiers came to worship at First Church. Most of these were not career soldiers but had been drafted from every state in the Union. They represented every walk of life-college professors, lawyers, teachers, college students, and representatives of all kinds of industry. They had been trained for combat, and Polk was their last stop before being assigned overseas. This was a time when church members gave their time unselfishly to welcome the soldiers and assist in every possible way. Housing was so scarce that many soldiers and their wives had a difficult time finding even a room to rent. During this period Rev. Willie Poole and his wife, Helen, were serving First Church. Their unselfish devotion and service to these army families was an inspiration to all. The parsonage was small; however, the Pooles almost always had a soldier and his wife sleeping at their house. (The congregation wondered if the Poole boys ever got to sleep in their beds because they always seemed to be sleeping in other parts of the house.) Everyone who was a member of First Church and had an extra room had a soldier and his wife living with them. "Mom" Graves gave many hours cooking and serving hot meal in the fellowship Hall for these Sunday visitors. A Young Adult Sunday School Class was organized for soldiers, their wives, and a few young women in the church. Mary McLaughlin was the teacher (this later bacame the Triple L Sunday School Class). First Church's young men were away serving in the military, so members opened their homes and their hearts to these other young men who were a long way from loved ones. Each Sunday most families would take home two to four soldiers for Sunday dinner. The guests would eat dinner, spend the afternoon, eat supper, then go back to church on Sunday night. For years after the war was over, letters were received from these soldiers who had shared the church's fellowship.

Early ministers listed above include some who left the Louisiana Conference. The Rev. Evans left the ministry all together to live in San Antonio, Texas, and the Rev. C. E. Fike, Sr. was transferred to the West Texas Conference for reasons of health. Rev. Fike's son, Charles Fike, Jr., served a brief ministry here in 1968. The Rev. C. R. Hardy returned to the Southwest Texas Conference from which he had come to Louisiana. The Rev. W. J. Reid left his DeRidder charge to return to military service as an Army chaplain during the Korean War. Rev. Jay Wallace retired due to ill health, and Rev. Rick Hebert left Louisiana following the DeRidder assignment.

In 1951 under the pastorate of Rev. George Pearce, the church property was appraised at $93,500.00. Still the sanctuary was inadequate for a membership now grown to 602, and the Sunday School enrollment of 376 was literally bursting the seams of its quarters in the rear of the building. Classes were being held in the parsonage and a residence across Pine Street (later the site of Hixson Funeral Home) was rented for additional classrooms. On April 3, 1951, the ground was broken for a three-story brick educational building on church owned property at the rear of the sanctuary to face Port Street. Cost of the building was $75,000.00, and $32,000.00 had been raised before the building was begun. The balance was paid off in three years. The Building Committee was headed by L. C. Lee, but before completion, he resigned and was replaced by W. N. Riddick (the father of Ruby Gibson.) The new building contained a church office, pastor's study, parlor- classroom, and a large fellowship hall with an adjoining kitchen. Upstairs were quarters for two divisions of the Sunday School, newly designated as Church School. Then renovations were made in the sanctuary. The controversial dome was removed and permanent pews were installed in the former recreational area to enlarge the auditorium for regular services. The ceiling fans gave way to new air- conditioning units whose noise could be endured, almost enjoyed, in the luxury of cool comfort.

With the decade of the sixties it was evident that a new church building was a necessity, and under the leadership of the Rev. Robert Jamieson, serious planning was begun. Property at the corner of Shirley and Broad Streets was purchased from the J. D. Frazar family, and work began on a new sanctuary in January 1965. The building of Georgian Colonial design was planned by the architectural firm of John M. Gabriel, Associates, and it was built by Robira and Managan, General Contractors, all of Lake Charles. The Planning Committee was headed by S. W. Spell; the Building Committee by Robert H. Crosby, Jr.; and the Furnishings and Memorial Committee by Mrs. W. E. Hall, Jr. The contracts on the building with air conditioning and public address system amounted to $170,357.00; furnishing costs were $12,431.00. The ten stained glass windows and the rose window were special gifts valued at $9,000.00. The pipe organ was designed and built for the DeRidder Church; it was two years in the making and cost $24,880.00. The cornerstone was laid during impressive ceremonies by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana Free and Accepted Masons. Dignitaries in attendance included Bishop Aubrey G. Walton and District Superintendent R. Leonard Cooke. First services were held in January 1966, by the pastor, the Rev. Robert Jameison, whose eleven-year stay in DeRidder is a record for longevity.

At this time the older facilities were rearranged for more effective use. The Methodist Men led the way and did much of the physical labor to convert the old sanctuary into a fellowship hall and recreational area. This allowed the former fellowship hall in the educational building and the old kitchen to be redesigned for classrooms and a nursery. The old parsonage, which had been serving as the nursery, was moved from the lot to give that space for a play area. Purchase of the LeCompte lot and home for $25,000.00 gave the church more than three-fourths of the city block bounded by Pine, Port, Broad, and Shirley Streets. Some years earlier a dwelling across Shirley Street from the new sanctuary had been bought to provide space for a future parking lot. All church property was then valued at $460,000.00.

In the late 1980's the corner lot of Pine and Shirley Streets was donated by Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Sartor, Jr., and plans were begun on a Family Life Center. This building project was directed by Nell Perry along with committee members Rick Tanner, Hunter Harris, Merle Stout, Lady Hall and Butch Scarborough. Jim Nelson headed the Finance Committee. The 1.2 million dollar project was designed by Architect Tom Holden of Baton Rouge. Pat Williams of Leesville served as general contractor and John Gates of DeRidder as the project engineer. Rick Tanner donated the site preparation which was the first step after the ground breaking ceremony. This project was started during the ministry of Rev. Rick Hebert and completed during the ministry of Revs. John and Marie Williams. The new facility, completed in 1994, includes gym, conference room, classrooms, media and workroom, and choir room. The old sanctuary which had been converted to a gym/fellowship hall was remodeled to provide a beautiful reception/fellowship hall, a modern kitchen, and a craft room. A much needed storage building and garage were given by Mr. and Mrs. Bob Allen. In 1997 the church building was valued at 2.9 million, furnishings at $115,000.00 and land at $150,000.00 for a total of $3,165,000.00.

The United Methodist Church is governed by regulations as set forth in The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. The Discipline changes quadrennially but does set forth the plan by which United Methodists govern themselves. The United Methodist Church is grounded in biblical faith; is an inclusive society without regard to race, color, natural origin or economic condition of its constituents; and is a connectional church making clear the global character of the Church's mission. The Discipline affirms with John Wesley that solitary religion is inadequate and that Christ lays claim upon all of life when he is accepted as Lord and Savior. A minister is assigned by the Louisiana Bishop to First Church to carry out this mission.

DeRidder First United Methodist Church has undergone many changes in church policy through the years. These changes have, for the most part, been good for the Church; for example, the former Board of Stewards was changed to a revolving Official Board (no women served). The Stewards could serve as long as they wished, and for some of them, it was life! Those who served many years seemed to feel they owned the Church and their word was law. The revolving Board gave an opportunity for change. Another welcome change occurred in the ministers' sermons. One member recalled, "We heard constantly about our sins and the eternal consequences of sin. It seemed that the preachers were trying to scare us into the Kingdom of God. During these �hell and damnation' sermons you could almost feel the fires of hell. I'm glad our ministers started trying to love us into the Kingdom by stressing God's love and forgiveness."

PRAYER GARDEN

In the summer of 1983, R. L. "Bill" Terry, President of the Mattie Lucius Cain Bible Class, brought the idea of building a Prayer Garden in memory of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Cain to the Class. The Cains were longtime dedicated and devoted members of the church and class teachers for many years. All class members agreed, thought it was a wonderful idea, and went to work immediately. Esther N. Terry and Helen Cain Lee were appointed to co-chair the project, and Frances Reynolds was named secretary-treasurer.

Dr. Neil G. Odenwald, Landscape Architect of L.S.U., Baton Rouge, drew the plans for the Garden. His services were made possible by Mrs. Lee. Work began November 1, 1983, and the Prayer Garden was dedicated May 27, 1984 as a memorial to Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Cain and to the glory of Almighty God. Rev. Jack Wiengeart presided at the dedication. The dedication service was well attended by many local friends and friends from throughout the state.

Mrs. Miriam Cain Cook and other members of the Cain Family along with the Mattie Lucius Cain Bible Class and friends placed ten thousand ($10,000.00) dollars in the bank so that the interest from the money could be used, when needed, to maintain the Prayer Garden. The enclosed garden has a beautiful fountain, benches, and seasonal plants that enhance the church by its natural and spiritual beauty.

PARSONAGE

There is no record of housing accommodations for early ministers and their families. In 1911 the Rev. J. F. Foster arrived, the only bachelor to serve this church. He took up residence in rooms above the Hudson River Lumber Company Commissary, later known as the Standard Mercantile Store. The first church- owned parsonage was on Pine Street adjoining the south side of the sanctuary grounds. Apparently this home was erected simultaneously with the church building as the Rev. Henry who built the church, lived in this house. This house was destroyed by fire in 1931 during the occupancy of the H. E. Pfost family and was immediately rebuilt in the same location. For the next thirty years almost no improvements were made there. In July 1958, a new brick, air conditioned parsonage costing $24,788.00 was erected on Lee Avenue on property given by J. H. Cain and L. C. Lee (father and husband respectively of Helen Lee). Chairman of the building committee was K. R. Hanchey (father of Ken Hanchey), general contractor was H. H. Haynes (father of Elizabeth Anne Jones), and the Rev. and Mrs. Robert Jameison were the first occupants. No money had been provided for furnishings, so for the most part, the new home contained only the furniture from the former parsonage.

In 1987 the parsonage committee consisting of Ben Bienvenu and Nell Perry purchased the current property located on Doctor Beckcom Drive for $130,000.00. Parsonage furniture and appliances have been upgraded and replaced as needed. In 1997 furnishings were valued at $19,000.00 and land at $18,000.00 for a total valuation of $167,000.00

WORSHIP

Expansion and enhancement of worship have been some realized goals of the 1990's. An early informal service is held each Sunday at 8:40 A.M. with contemporary music and programming. The 11:00 A.M. service includes more traditional liturgy and varied styles of music. Young children are offered an opportunity to attend Children's Church during part of the worship services.

MUSIC

Through the years the music of the First United Methodist Church has been an important part of its ministry. Both adult and youth choirs have had talented, gifted directors and members. Among names remembered as directors are Mrs. A. R. LeCompte, Wilson Young, Mrs. Bob Ahrens, Mrs. C. B. Roark, Mrs. Don Gibson, Louis Blankenbaker, Linda Green and Judy Kay. Miss Emma McKennitt was the pianist when the church was located on First Street. When the pipe organ was installed in the Pine Street sanctuary, Mrs. T. R. Sartor, Sr., was the organist (mother of Mary Seale). Some of the many pianists and organists who served were Mrs. Otto Hood, Beverly Allen (daughter of Glynn Kinchen), Mildred Hanchey, Billie Ann Yawn, Mary Blankenbaker, Carolyn Burton, Merlene Perkins, Elizabeth Love Mitchell, and Elizabeth Vincent.

SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

The first Sunday School in DeRidder was a cooperative effort of all denominations that met in the lower floor of the Oddfellows Hall. J. 0. Stewart, a Methodist, was the first superintendent. Even after the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized the Union Sunday School continued as before, but in 1903 was moved to the Masonic Hall with Frank P. Moss, also a Methodist, as superintendent. In 1904 the Methodist Sunday School was organized with seven officers and teachers; J. 0. Stewart was superintendent, followed by J. D. Robertson, J. W. Tooke and A. S. Hamilton. The ecumenical spirit prevailed even at this early date in history. The Northern Methodist Church, a small but active group on East Port Street, was in need of a Sunday School superintendent, so in 1915 the Rev. Henry "lent" to his neighbor church one of his own members, J. H. Cain. Soon Mrs. Cain was also "borrowed" as a Sunday School teacher. The Cains continued to serve there until the dwindling membership disbanded this branch of Methodism in DeRidder. A number of those members, notably the Coward, Cole, and Spencer families transferred to the First Church. Mr. Cain, returning to his own church following World War I, held the post of Sunday School Superintendent until 1925 followed by Louis Bennett (uncle of Pam Godair and Jack Bennett), C. V. Holbrook (father of Kate Heneghan), Mid Cole, H. H. Haynes, L. C. Brown, Fred Yancy, Jr., T. E. Cranford, Willard Middleton, Dr. N. D. Franklin (father of Michael Franklin), B. K. Roberts, Mrs. 0.V. Hooker, George Holloway, C. C. Welborn, and Harriette Bishop.

Vacation Bible School has been for many years a highlight in First Methodist's ministry to children. The church leadership fully supports this program, and when the building of the Family Life Center in 1993 made it impossible to use Methodist facilities, VBS was held at the First Baptist Church through the courtesy of that congregation.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS

One of the earliest fellowship groups for young people was the Epworth League. The 1906 record lists the following elected officers: President, F. P. Moss; First Vice-President, J. D. Robertson; Second Vice-President, Miss Minnie Morrison (later to become Mrs. Mordaunt Thompson, mother of Mrs. Cecil Middleton and Mrs. Cooke Frazar); Third Vice-President, Miss Araabella North; and Secretary- Treasurer, Mrs. A. J. Hanchey (mother of Gussie Frusha). Mr. A. S. Hamilton was counselor and some of the active members were Mrs. J. D. Frazar and Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Kern (grandparents of Kade Bardin). In 1919 the League was reorganized with Mrs. C. E. Fike as counselor. Some members were Mrs. W. E. Kilman (Gertrude Mattison), Miss Ted Cole, Mid Cole, and Mrs. Gladys Swilley (Gladys Spencer). Other remembered names are Misses Mamie McKenzie (later Mrs. Mid Cole), Helen Sailor, Febe Jones, Mamie Gray, the Bennett brothers, Henry and Louis, the Young brothers, and the Rickey children, Frank, Henry and Octavia. Mrs. H. W. Rickey and the Rev. H. E. Pfost succeeded Mrs. Fike as counselors. In 1912 the "DeRidder Epworth League Cook Book" was printed by the Reliance Press of DeRidder "to place before the public a collection of tested recipes, that will at once commend itself through its merits to all housewives interested in the culinary art."

In 1939 at the Uniting Conference of the Methodist Church the name of the Epworth League gave way to Methodist Youth Fellowship. In October 1950 Fellowship Groups were organized for Primary, Junior, Intermediate, and Adult ages. The following year the Kindergarten Fellowship was included, and all groups met on Sunday evening prior to the evening worship service. Today the youth groups are for grades 7-12 and are entitled United Methodist Youth.

The DeRidder Methodist Missionary Society was organized in 1905 with five members, and the first president was Mrs. E. A. Morrison (grandmother of Mrs. Cecil Middleton and Mrs.Cooke Frazar). In some ten years the membership had grown large enough for three circles, all meeting in the homes of members. In 1917 Mrs. Robert Jones organized a night circle for working women, named the Susie Jones Circle, and Mrs. J. H. Cain founded a Young Peoples Missionary Society that met each Sunday afternoon. She later became State Chairman of Young Peoples Missionary groups in Louisiana. On September 17, 1940, following the church merger, the Women's Missionary Society became the Women's Society of Christian Service with Mrs. E. L. Ingalls as its first president. The Susie Jones Circle retained its name but became part of the Wesleyan Service Guild. In 1949 a new guild was formed, the Maye Youngblood Circle, with Noni Barrie as its first president. In 1973 the women's groups underwent complete reorganization becoming now the United Methodist Women (UMW) with Rosa McCullough as the first president. The annual UMW Bazaar began in 1968 as a small crafts fair and has grown to become a greatly anticipated event that involves all the women of the Church (and lots of men, too). In 1997 proceeds from the Bazaar exceeded $6,000.00 and enabled the UMW to heartily support Methodist institutions as well as selected local charities. In 1998 six circles were active in promoting the goals of the Louisiana UMW as stated in the 1997 Yearbook "Come to the Fountain." They were: Alice Nelson, Julia Reid Paxton, Mary Martha, Maye Youngblood, Noon Circle, and Rosemary Cady with a combined membership of eighty (80) active and seven (7) honorary members. Three cookbooks, in addition to the Epworth League Cookbook, have been published for money making purposes. They were: "What's Cooking in DeRidder, LA" published by the Mary- Martha Circle in 1948, "Our Favorite Recipes" published by the Alexa McCain Circle in 1957, and "Recipes, Old and New" published by the Church in 1995.

In 1948 Mid Cole, as chairman of the Official Board, took the initiative in the organization of a Methodist Brotherhood. W. N. Riddick was the first president. The Brotherhood met monthly for dinner and fellowship; meals were served by the WSCS circles. On March 22, 1951, this group became a chartered member of Methodist Men by authority of the General Board of Lay Activities of the Methodist Church. The first officers were President, W. E. Hall, Jr.; Vice- President, R. H. Crosby, Jr.; and Secretary-Treasurer, Brent Seale (husband of Mary Seale). The organization has provided leadership to the scouting units of the church as well as actual physical labor in repairing and restoring buildings and facilities. The annual Men's Rummage Sale is a well-organized event that generates funds to enable Methodist Men to give financial assistance where needed in church-wide activities. A major contribution of Methodist Men has been the production of "The Living Last Supper" held during each Easter season.

SCOUTING

Scouting has long been one of the projects of this church, and the first scoutmaster in DeRidder was J. H. Cain in 1919. Names from that first scout group, still remembered in the DeRidder church include Terry, LeRay, Bennett, Lewis, and Mattison. Also from that group came Mid Cole whose name became a legend in scouting in the entire area. The Rev. Pfost was the scoutmaster in 1931 followed by H. R. McLaughlin, in turn followed by Mid Cole. Emerald Rathburn was a well-loved scoutmaster who served in the 1960s and 70s. The Church presently sponsors Troop 30 which is the oldest operating troop in this district and has helped many young men attain the rank of Eagle Scout (see the brass roster in the south entrance of the sanctuary).

WESLEY CHURCH

One of the outstanding, perhaps the most worthy of all endeavors of the First United Methodist Church, was the sponsorship of a second Methodist Church in DeRidder in the year 1952, named for the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. The first pastor, Al Smith, was assigned by the Bishop to the Church in June 1953. A nucleus of the new membership was made up from stalwart members from First Church who assumed leadership roles in the new undertaking. Some of those remembered families were the A. J. McGredes, the Floyd and Normand Terrys, the J. B.Paynes (parents of Joanna Hauser), the Gilbert Blankenbakers (parents of Louis Blankenbaker), the Floyd Martins, the R. E. Adamses, and Ida Belle Swearingen Hassell. For a number of years the First Church contributed financially to its young offspring, but as the seasons passed, the Wesley United Methodist Church has come into full maturity, an entity in its own right.

SUMMARY With all its growing pains, a certain spirituality has always pervaded First United Methodist Church, and a number of full-time Christian workers have come from its ranks. O. E. Sandene, Jim Sensintaffer (brother of Maybelle Rathburn), Henry Rickey, Douglas Williams, Sr., Jerry Fuller, Dr. Irving Lee Smith (brother of Ruby Bennett and Elaine Shook), Louis Blankenbaker, Eddie Sims, James Poole, and Jon Tellifero are pastors who have roots to First Church.

That above mentioned spirituality has led to outreach and church growth today through expanded mission projects; for example, the year-round food pantry for needy families, "Socks for Needy Children" given to local school children, support for missionaries through the Covenant Relationship, distribution of Christmas food baskets, financial support for Methodist institutions, and help for local needs such as the Pastor's Discretionary Fund and the June Jenkins Women's Shelter. One of the 1998 projects is Heifer International which will provide farm animals to families in underdeveloped countries. The Church work Areas are using the twenty-four passenger bus, given to the Church by Judge and Mrs. W. E. Hall, Jr., to extend its mission and fellowship outreach.

Current membership is 450 and the 1997-98 budget was approved for $468,000.00. With a history of almost one hundred years of service to the community, First United Methodist Church of DeRidder looks back in grateful appreciation to the pioneers and those who followed them. The sacrifices of these dedicated persons laid the foundations of the Church, and it is fervently hoped that it may always be said of this Church that it welcomes: Those who feel their need of light, Those who need comfort in their sorrow, Those who find doubts in their hearts, Those who need courage in their daily tasks, Those who feel lonely and friendless, Those who sin and need cleansing, Those who wish to give service, Those who want rest, peace, happiness, and fellowship with Jesus Christ, our Lord. -Author Unknown

Compiled by Helen Lee, Mary McLaughlin, Elizabeth A. Jones and Marcia Ades, 1998