HISTORY OF THE

JACKSON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST

The church of Christ, which meets at 1856 Jackson Street in Alexandria, La, was established in 1931, according to a report written by Brother Irving Close.

Brother Close moved his family here from Jerusalem, AR. on January 1, 1931. He had relatives here and was able to find work but could not find a church of Christ in the area. He attended the Christian church for a while, finding some who did not want to move. He then became acquainted with a Brother Johnson from the Glenmora church of Christ. He was given some names and upon contacting the families, found that most all wanted to start meeting together. Their goal was to establish a church of Christ in Alexandria.

Their first gospel meeting was scheduled for September 22, 1931, with Brother Johnson preaching. It did not go well because the grammar school building they planned to use was not available to them for the whole week.

The members on record as of September 27, 1931, were: W. Irving Close and wife, Ima; Mrs. B. A. Dunn and daughter, Joyce; Mrs. C. W. Ford (also Mrs. Dunn's daughter); Mrs. Henry H. James (sister to Brother Close); Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Pope; Mr. and Mrs. John R. Rachal; John R. Rachal, Jr. and Bertha Lee Rachal

Later that year, 6 more were added: J. M. Scott, Mrs. D. W. Bryant, W. F. Lemons. Jr., Mrs. M. C. Humble (the first person to be baptized here), Mrs. Humble's daughter, Sister A. S. Humble and L. C. Herrin

They met in member's homes at first; then in such locations as an upper room of the old city Hall and an empty store building at 16^th and Magnolia, where they met until January 1, 1938. Brother Johnson of the Glenmora church and C. Y. Pettigrew did most of the preaching at that location. Also J. Emmet Wainwright came from California to hold a week's meeting, baptizing Clyde and Edith Wainwright and others. During this time, Brother Johnson left the church to preach Premillennialism. Brother Pettigrew continued to preach but moved away at about the time the church purchased a building at Hope and Orchard. It had formerly been a Nazarene church building.

The work at Hope and Orchard began January 1, 1938. It was carried on mostly by the brethren, until January 1943. Brother Joe Crumly came as the first full time preacher. Brother Elton Hughes followed him, serving until September 30, 1945. Brother G. W. Hardin came in April 1946 and left on September 17, 1947. Brother Hardin was the first preacher fully supported by the congregation. Those who preached gospel meetings at Hope and Orchard were Thomas D. Rose, Howard White, C. R. Nichol, John O. Dowd, Jack Wilhem and Warren Starnes. Brother Close remarked that the most important thing C. R. Nichol did here was to marry Sonny Copeland and Jewel Boney.

On November 19, 1947, Brother Kenneth Badgett arrived. According to Brother Close, there followed 6 years of peace and growth in the church at Hope and Orchard.

Also in the late 1940's some members who lived in Pineville decided to start meeting over there, beginning a successful ministry in that area.

Brother Badgett moved away on October 31, 1954. Brother Jack Hendry began his work at Hope and Orchard, preaching part time until January 1, 1955, when he began full time.

On March 1, 1955, Brother Close lists these members as those that came to mind, since no membership directory was kept. They Were:

Brother and Sister V. M. Rorex, Brother and Sister B. A. Williams, Brother and Sister Harry L O'Neal (Juanita), Brother and Sister Kid Farr (Lucyle), Buddy and Darlene Farr, Sonny and Jewel Copeland, Brother and Sister O. M. Johnson (Lucyle's parents), Brother and Sister W. H. Foster, Brother and Sister Bowen of Boyce, Brother Clyde Miller, Sister Sullivan, Sister Flack, Dr. Hawkins, Brother and Sister Bill and Murriel Kennedy (Mother and Stepfather to Sonny Copeland and also Lucyle Farr's Sister.

Other records add these names, dates unknown, but probably before and during the Hope and Orchard years:

Mrs. C. E. Creed, Mrs. Jim Olden, Ray McKnight, Clyde and Edith Wainwright, Mrs. M. M. Wainwright, Mrs. Kate Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Vanderwater, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Johnson,

Mr. Cook, Mrs M. A. Nowlin, Mrs I. Hall, Mrs Baker, Ruth Close.

As the congregation grew and prospered, they saw a need for more room and a better location. The lot at 19^th and Jackson was purchased in 1955 and on January 1, 1956, ground was broken for the new building.

The building was occupied in June 1958. It consisted of 7 classrooms, a nursery, an office and a 350-seat auditorium. Enjoying a steady growth, an addition to the back of the building was built in 1963 with four more classrooms upstairs and four down. At some point, two rooms of the original building were renovated to accommodate the library and the kitchen. Brother Bill Woodward outfitted the kitchen with cabinets, plumbing, etc., making it available for member's use during fellowship meetings.

Preachers who have served since Jack Hendry left in 1956 are: J. C. Stevens, Glynn V. Purdy, Hoyt Bailey, Don Edwards, Beauford Fudge, George Darling, Sr, George Spurlock, John Brasseaux, Benny Bristow, Norman Ewell, J. Curtis Maness, Gilbert Howell, and at this time Larry Pasley. Jerry Lee served as interim preacher for a short period in 1974, and also in 1976. Brother Purdy and Brother Bristow each served here 7 to 8 years.

Among the many evangelists holding gospel meetings here were: Thomas D. Rose, Dan Fogarty, Trine Starnes, N. B. Hardeman, G. K. Wallace, A. Waldrop Johnson, Richard England, Gordon Clements, V. E. Howard, H. I. Taylor, Jack Hendry, Gobel Music, Glynn Purdy, William Cline, David Caskey, Larry West, Ray Hyatt, Curtis Maness, Chip Latch, Waymon Swain, and John Barker.

Campaigns have been conducted by the White's Ferry Road School of Preaching, the Memphis School of Preaching, Larry West, and more recently, by the Sojourners, whose R. V. Camp is in Marshall, TX. Lectureships and Ladies workshops have also been conducted here for area Churches.

Three important works that the Jackson Street church has been privileged to support in various ways are:

(1)   The Chamala Mission and Hospital in Africa through theSeagoville, Texas, church of Christ.

(2)   The World Bible School in Madras, South India, where Christ is being preached  in widening areas by numbers of local brethren.   Brother Paul Renganathan comes to the U. S. about once a year to make the brethren in many churches aware of the good work going on there and to give a report of their successes as well as their many disappointments.

(3) The Workman Mission Fund in Russia through the LakeHouston church of Christ, in Humble, Texas, where Gary Workman is bringing Christ to the local brethren.

All works are valued and supported.

In addition, the Jackson Street church has been involved in nursing home, hospital,  youth, radio, television, and prison ministries.

Brother Curtis Maness completed a two-year work at the Avoyelles Women's Correctional Facility in Cottonport, LA. Twenty-seven women were baptized into Christ as a result of that work. Also assisting with the endeavor was Charles Smith and Kenny Myers.

Currently Larry Pasley, our current preacher, is having weekly bible studies at the Evergreen Safehouse in Evergreen, LA. being run by Annette Goudeau, a member here. Five women have been baptized in the last 2 months.

The church also has been able, at different times to provide some support to those in training to be preachers at the Memphis School of Preaching in Memphis, TN. Help and support has also been given to outlying congregations trying to establish the church in their areas, such as Woodworth and Colfax, Opelousas, and locally to what was the Fenner and Wise church, now know as the Monroe Street church of Christ.

Since 1956, the church has experienced periods of growth and prosperity. There were also some very lean years. We were blessed by many faithful members coming to us from nearby England Air Force Base. By the same token, the membership also suffered at the times of transfers and finally with the base closing in 1992. The faithful who remained adjusted to the changing situations.

In 1997, we began to enjoy growth in members as well as financially. A badly needed parking lot was built across from the building to accommodate the increase in members. Other repairs and improvements to the building have been made or are in progress.

Many brethren have served the church at Jackson Street as elders and deacons since 1956. Some of those are:

Elders: Victor Ashley, William Woodward, Louis Hazelton, Gene Sperry, Charles Smith, Ollen Johnston, Jerry Lee, Dave Kitcher, Wayne Ellison, Henry Linam, Bud Sweeney, Richard Bell, J. D. Holder, Curtis Maness, John Barton, Gilbert Howell, Kenny Myers, Melvin Caliste and Sam Mayfield.

Deacons: Albert Howe, John Parker, Loring Barwick, Jerry Lee, Clyde Powers, Luther Shackelford, Bennie Peek, Gayle Waggener, Jimmy Lewis, Wendel Williams, Rodney Kendricks, Allen Pratt, Mervin McDonald, Bob Woodward, Melvin Caliste, Tony Setliff, Pete Mott, Dave Dusza, and Shane Myers.

There were no elders in office for a period of time, but in February 1998, a search was made to find those who were qualified scripturally and who desired to serve.

October 11, 1998, John Barton, and Melvin Caliste were selected and on January 11, 1999, Curtis Maness was selected. When he became ill and was unable to serve as elder and minister, Gilbert Howell replaced him in both duties. February 23, 2008, Gilbert Howell had a stroke and his health no longer allowed him to serve. A search for a minister was conducted by the Elders and on February 1, 2009, Larry Pasley was selected.

Mrs. Rubye Barton, as a labor of love, became the church retary on March 25, 1996, and for eleven years, she was devoted to the congregation. When her health no longer allowed her to perform her duties, she resigned. She passed away on April 14, 2007.

The church of Christ in Alexandria, LA, now in its 86^th year (2017), remains faithful to its belief that we must speak where the Bible speaks and keep silent where the Bible is silent.

The material used in this report came from the following sources:

Brother W. Irving Close, who was instrumental in the establishment of the church of Christ in Alexandria, La. Brother Close wrote his report in October 1986.   He passed away some years ago.

Brother V. M. Rorex, who came here with his wife from Pine Bluff, Ar. in 1937.   Brother John Brasseaux, our minister in 1972, printed an edited version of Brother
Rorex's report just a few months before Brother Rorex died.

Various members of the present congregation provided other bits of information, names, and dates.

Sister Audria Howe compiled this report.