Locust Grove Baptist Church celebrates 155 years

Not many churches can say that they have accomplished the milestone of reaching their 155th Anniversary. However, a local parish church has reached just such a distinction in serving the Lord continuously for 155 years - Locust Grove Baptist Church. The church celebrated the anniversary on Sunday, May 24, 2015. An awards recognition program was held for long standing members Mildred William Smith, Eli Neal, Frank Hampton, Jr. and Ela Walker. The pastor received a plaque for becoming the 15th leader of the church. At the close of worship services 155 white, gold, pearl and silver helium filled balloons were released followed by dinner on the grounds.
Locust Grove Baptist Church is located on Louisiana Highway 559, Duty Ferry and Sandy Bayou Road. Its current pastor is Rev. Phaion Thomas. The church is one of the oldest African American Churches in Louisiana and the United States. The church was founded in 1860, three years prior to the Emancipation Proclamation and five years before the end of the Civil War.
The church is quite exceptional in that its founders were of African, Native American and European descent. The church had only one white pastor - the first one, who was Rev. Volentine. The second pastor was a former slave, Rev. George Williams. The pastors who followed were Nash Manning, March Clay, Annias Yearby, Lonnie Jones, Rev. Curry, Bryd Cliff, Joe Newman, J.H. Haggerty, Charles Davis, David Lee Slacks, James Haggerty, Jr., Rev. George Lavender, Jr. and current pastor Rev. Phaion Thomas.
The land where the church stands was deeded to the church by Louisiana Faulker, a former slave owner. The date on the deed is September 28, 1871. The church’s trustees, Washington Manning and Rev. George Williams, are named on the original deed. Malinda Cunningham Payne was also among the founders of the church.
For the celebration on May 24th, the State of Louisiana commemorated the occasion with a proclamation declaring Locust Grove Baptist Church as the oldest church in the state of Louisiana. The Town of  Columbia and U.S. Congressman Thompson sent congratulatory letters as well.

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