How it all started...
Ferriday Coming to Be
Jimmie Johnson of St. Joseph provides a brief historical account of the beginnings of Ferriday. What is now the Town of Ferriday, Louisiana was at one time (1901) a cotton field, with a platform on the New Orleans & Western Railroad as the only indication that there was even a flag stop here. The Wimberly brothers ran a store and kept livery rigs for hire to traveling salesmen coming out of Natchez and making the loop from Helena out to Frogmore, North to Ballina and Dunbarton, then east to Rhoda Quinta and Clayton where their return to Helena was made, or the livery rig was sent back by the driver.
The first indication that a settlement was to begin was the railroad roundhouse. The next was the old John Hotel, with a saloon on the lower floor at the corner, across from the Pasternack store and facing the railroad. The first “depot” was freight cars raised on cross ties, used for the ticket and telegraph office, waiting rooms, and freight warehouse. In about 1905 the Texas and Pacific extended their rails north from Addis and ran a mixed freight and passenger train (only one coach for passengers) until the 1927 high water washed out the bridge across Red River and the track was later taken up.
As time passed and good roads were built through the Ferriday area, the town took a boom. For a period of time, it was served by three railroads and three highways. The highways were U.S. 65 from Natchez to Lake Providence, U.S. 84 from Natchez, and LA 15 along the New Orleans and Northwestern railroad to Archibald then through the swamp to Monroe and Farmerville. The bridge over the Mississippi River was not opened until October of 1940.
FBC Ferriday Through the Years
There are no records of organized Baptist work in Ferriday prior to 1921. During a revival conducted in 1921 by Evangelist, Isaiah Watson, eight people agreed to organize a Baptist church. Those people were: Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Mathews, Fannie Zappe, Mrs. H. C. Zappe, Mrs. Geter, Mrs. W. R. McLain, J. C. Hargrove, and J. H. Drane. This early church was originally named Missionary Baptist Church by members of the ordaining council. The first Pastors were Reverend J. B. Perry and Reverend C. E. Mathews. Most of the early records were destroyed by the flood of 1922, which covered the Ferriday area with 4 feet of water for several months.
A few years later, Dave Goodman received word from John T. Walters, an Associational Missionary for the Ouachita Association, that the town of Ferriday had no Baptist Church and had no Baptist service was being held there since the flood of 1922. As a young pastor and student at Louisiana College, Goodman responded to the need and arrived in the Ferriday area on June 16, 1924, about one mile from town at Concordia Junction. He walked into town with a strong desire to preach and do mission work. Goodman reinitiated the work for a church in Ferriday following the interruption brought about by the flood. Goodman began preaching once each month. Soon after he began preaching, a revival meeting was held. It was led by W. R. Haynie, and it concluded on September 14, 1924, with the addition of 23 people. Those new additions along with the existing members agreed to organize the First Baptist Church of Ferriday and the church was born. Services were conducted in the Ferriday School Auditorium for a time and later at Ferriday Town Hall. A tent meeting was held on May 17, 1925, by Pastors Dr. E. E. Huntsberry and B. E. Cox. This meeting led to the baptism of 14 additional people which took place in Lake St. John with another 51 people united with the church soon after this meeting. Goodman served in Ferriday at First Baptist until the Fall of 1925, presumably returning to Louisiana College following the establishment of the church. After receiving a commitment from Dr. E. D. Solomon from the State Baptist Board, a significant sum was contributed for a new pastor to continue the work initiated at First Baptist. Also in 1925 two lots, on which the original sanctuary now stands, were purchased from a Mr. Able for the sum of $125, a true step of faith by the congregation. In 1926 the original sanctuary was built.
Th church called A. D. Langston to succeed Goodman in the fall of 1925 for the annual sum of $1,200, and he served as Pastor until September 6, 1929. A parsonage was built in 1926 on a lot owned by the church on Fourth Street. Langston not only assumed the role of Pastor, but additionally the role of missionary to many areas in the Delta region. Under the leadership of Langston, the church witnessed many changes such as the Great Flood of 1927 and the beginning of The Great Depression. This floodwater mark of the 1927 flood may still be seen in old photos of the church as well as faintly on the existing original sanctuary. Langston served until 1929.
J. H. Hamilton was called to be Pastor in the latter part of 1929, and he served as Pastor until 1949. He was called with a beginning annual salary of $1,800 and ending annual salary of $2,400. The church’s budget for 1930 was $3,016 in the early years of The Great Depression. It is noted that during The Great Depression that Hamilton paid the interest on its church’s mortgage on several occasions to avoid possible foreclosure. Records also indicate the church borrowed $100 from the ladies’ Bible class during the 1930’s. Moving on through The Great Depression and through World War II, the church remained active. On May 18, 1947, a committee was appointed to decide on the design for completing the back of the church and the baptistry. A bid of $1,075 was approved and necessary work was done to complete the update. In 1948, with a total membership of 449, the church approved a building program for a 2-story annex to the church. The planned annex included 15 Sunday School rooms, 2 restrooms, a kitchen, a banquet room, a pastor’s study, and a storeroom. The estimated cost for the addition was $75,000. Hamilton submitted his letter of resignation as Pastor in April of 1949, and it was accepted in May of that year. Later that year in October, the decision was made by the church to become a member of the Delta Association due to geographical location. It had previously been a member of the Deer Creek Association.
On September 15, 1949, Dick Griffin was called to be Pastor with an annual salary of $3,900. A few months later, he began his ministry October. In December of 1949 the church membership voted to send Griffin and P. H. Corbett to Nashville to consult with architects for the new annex. After receiving bids, Mr. Corbett reported the lowest bid was $72,000 of which approximately $26,000 had been raised by April of 1950. Preliminary work was started soon after and the building was completed during 1951. Records indicate that a New Year’s Watch Party was held in the new annex on December 31, 1951. Amid the addition of the annex, a donation of $5,000 was given to upgrade the parsonage. However, instead of renovating the old parsonage, the decision was made to sell it and cover the cost of building a new parsonage. Construction started in the latter part of 1950 on the corner of Virginia Avenue and Sixth Street, and in 1951 the church raised money to complete the project after a Parsonage Fund Day. After feeling a call to become an army chaplain, Griffin submitted his resignation on June 14, 1953. His resignation became effective on July 1, 1953.
Shirley Briggs was called as Pastor in September of 1953. His wife, Louise, was actively involved in many of the auxiliary programs of the church. In November 1954, a mission located on the Vidalia Highway was organized and sponsored by FBC. About a year later it became Sycamore Baptist Church. The capacity of the original church sanctuary had become overcrowded, and Briggs began working with the church toward the goal of building a larger one. Sadly, he died as a result of a fatal heart attack in 1959 before seeing a new sanctuary come to fruition. The church looked forward to a time of building and the vision for a new sanctuary was not lost. Although actual building did not take place for many years, committees planned and conducted the foundational research for a new sanctuary.
Jimmie Johnson of St. Joseph provides a brief historical account of the beginnings of Ferriday. What is now the Town of Ferriday, Louisiana was at one time (1901) a cotton field, with a platform on the New Orleans & Western Railroad as the only indication that there was even a flag stop here. The Wimberly brothers ran a store and kept livery rigs for hire to traveling salesmen coming out of Natchez and making the loop from Helena out to Frogmore, North to Ballina and Dunbarton, then east to Rhoda Quinta and Clayton where their return to Helena was made, or the livery rig was sent back by the driver.
The first indication that a settlement was to begin was the railroad roundhouse. The next was the old John Hotel, with a saloon on the lower floor at the corner, across from the Pasternack store and facing the railroad. The first “depot” was freight cars raised on cross ties, used for the ticket and telegraph office, waiting rooms, and freight warehouse. In about 1905 the Texas and Pacific extended their rails north from Addis and ran a mixed freight and passenger train (only one coach for passengers) until the 1927 high water washed out the bridge across Red River and the track was later taken up.
As time passed and good roads were built through the Ferriday area, the town took a boom. For a period of time, it was served by three railroads and three highways. The highways were U.S. 65 from Natchez to Lake Providence, U.S. 84 from Natchez, and LA 15 along the New Orleans and Northwestern railroad to Archibald then through the swamp to Monroe and Farmerville. The bridge over the Mississippi River was not opened until October of 1940.
FBC Ferriday Through the Years
There are no records of organized Baptist work in Ferriday prior to 1921. During a revival conducted in 1921 by Evangelist, Isaiah Watson, eight people agreed to organize a Baptist church. Those people were: Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Mathews, Fannie Zappe, Mrs. H. C. Zappe, Mrs. Geter, Mrs. W. R. McLain, J. C. Hargrove, and J. H. Drane. This early church was originally named Missionary Baptist Church by members of the ordaining council. The first Pastors were Reverend J. B. Perry and Reverend C. E. Mathews. Most of the early records were destroyed by the flood of 1922, which covered the Ferriday area with 4 feet of water for several months.
A few years later, Dave Goodman received word from John T. Walters, an Associational Missionary for the Ouachita Association, that the town of Ferriday had no Baptist Church and had no Baptist service was being held there since the flood of 1922. As a young pastor and student at Louisiana College, Goodman responded to the need and arrived in the Ferriday area on June 16, 1924, about one mile from town at Concordia Junction. He walked into town with a strong desire to preach and do mission work. Goodman reinitiated the work for a church in Ferriday following the interruption brought about by the flood. Goodman began preaching once each month. Soon after he began preaching, a revival meeting was held. It was led by W. R. Haynie, and it concluded on September 14, 1924, with the addition of 23 people. Those new additions along with the existing members agreed to organize the First Baptist Church of Ferriday and the church was born. Services were conducted in the Ferriday School Auditorium for a time and later at Ferriday Town Hall. A tent meeting was held on May 17, 1925, by Pastors Dr. E. E. Huntsberry and B. E. Cox. This meeting led to the baptism of 14 additional people which took place in Lake St. John with another 51 people united with the church soon after this meeting. Goodman served in Ferriday at First Baptist until the Fall of 1925, presumably returning to Louisiana College following the establishment of the church. After receiving a commitment from Dr. E. D. Solomon from the State Baptist Board, a significant sum was contributed for a new pastor to continue the work initiated at First Baptist. Also in 1925 two lots, on which the original sanctuary now stands, were purchased from a Mr. Able for the sum of $125, a true step of faith by the congregation. In 1926 the original sanctuary was built.
Th church called A. D. Langston to succeed Goodman in the fall of 1925 for the annual sum of $1,200, and he served as Pastor until September 6, 1929. A parsonage was built in 1926 on a lot owned by the church on Fourth Street. Langston not only assumed the role of Pastor, but additionally the role of missionary to many areas in the Delta region. Under the leadership of Langston, the church witnessed many changes such as the Great Flood of 1927 and the beginning of The Great Depression. This floodwater mark of the 1927 flood may still be seen in old photos of the church as well as faintly on the existing original sanctuary. Langston served until 1929.
J. H. Hamilton was called to be Pastor in the latter part of 1929, and he served as Pastor until 1949. He was called with a beginning annual salary of $1,800 and ending annual salary of $2,400. The church’s budget for 1930 was $3,016 in the early years of The Great Depression. It is noted that during The Great Depression that Hamilton paid the interest on its church’s mortgage on several occasions to avoid possible foreclosure. Records also indicate the church borrowed $100 from the ladies’ Bible class during the 1930’s. Moving on through The Great Depression and through World War II, the church remained active. On May 18, 1947, a committee was appointed to decide on the design for completing the back of the church and the baptistry. A bid of $1,075 was approved and necessary work was done to complete the update. In 1948, with a total membership of 449, the church approved a building program for a 2-story annex to the church. The planned annex included 15 Sunday School rooms, 2 restrooms, a kitchen, a banquet room, a pastor’s study, and a storeroom. The estimated cost for the addition was $75,000. Hamilton submitted his letter of resignation as Pastor in April of 1949, and it was accepted in May of that year. Later that year in October, the decision was made by the church to become a member of the Delta Association due to geographical location. It had previously been a member of the Deer Creek Association.
On September 15, 1949, Dick Griffin was called to be Pastor with an annual salary of $3,900. A few months later, he began his ministry October. In December of 1949 the church membership voted to send Griffin and P. H. Corbett to Nashville to consult with architects for the new annex. After receiving bids, Mr. Corbett reported the lowest bid was $72,000 of which approximately $26,000 had been raised by April of 1950. Preliminary work was started soon after and the building was completed during 1951. Records indicate that a New Year’s Watch Party was held in the new annex on December 31, 1951. Amid the addition of the annex, a donation of $5,000 was given to upgrade the parsonage. However, instead of renovating the old parsonage, the decision was made to sell it and cover the cost of building a new parsonage. Construction started in the latter part of 1950 on the corner of Virginia Avenue and Sixth Street, and in 1951 the church raised money to complete the project after a Parsonage Fund Day. After feeling a call to become an army chaplain, Griffin submitted his resignation on June 14, 1953. His resignation became effective on July 1, 1953.
Shirley Briggs was called as Pastor in September of 1953. His wife, Louise, was actively involved in many of the auxiliary programs of the church. In November 1954, a mission located on the Vidalia Highway was organized and sponsored by FBC. About a year later it became Sycamore Baptist Church. The capacity of the original church sanctuary had become overcrowded, and Briggs began working with the church toward the goal of building a larger one. Sadly, he died as a result of a fatal heart attack in 1959 before seeing a new sanctuary come to fruition. The church looked forward to a time of building and the vision for a new sanctuary was not lost. Although actual building did not take place for many years, committees planned and conducted the foundational research for a new sanctuary.
Expanding the vision...
Dr. G. Earl Guinn, President of Louisiana College, filled the pulpit of FBC for a season until M. H. Fields was called as Pastor in July of 1960. Upon assuming his role as Pastor, he led the church to continue the planning for the new sanctuary. Following several months of study, a recommendation was offered that the church build an auditorium of contemporary style to seat 830 people. As recommended by the Financial Committee, the church bond plan was determined to be used to finance the construction. The National Church Investment Company was selected to print the bond. Ground was broken for the new building in the early months of 1961, and construction soon began. On October 28, 1962, the church members dedicated the new sanctuary. During this period the Sunday Services were broadcast on the radio from 1961 through 1964 at a cost of $15 per Sunday. Fields resigned on September 1, 1971, to take an assignment with the Louisiana Baptist Convention, working with more than 600 small or rural churches.
J. D. Cheetham of the Baptist Message staff served as interim Pastor until the arrival of Thomas Lee who began serving as Pastor on July 1, 1972. The church continued to flourish under Lee, and the congregation grew to a membership of 873. His wife, Elizabeth actively promoted Sunday School by training teachers of younger children using creative methods. On July 28, 1974, a milestone was reached as First Baptist Church celebrated its 50th Anniversary. In 1976 Lee resigned to accept a position at Lifeway Publications in Tennessee. Following his resignation, Lucian Conway served as Interim Pastor.
Allen Stephens was called to serve as Pastor in 1978. In March of 1979, two additional lots were purchased on the corner of Fifth Street and Virginia Avenue to accommodate construction of the Family Life Center which was designed and constructed in 1982 to meet the needs of all age groups in the active and growing church. In 1981 a canopy was built extending from the Educational Building to the side entry of the Sanctuary. Allen’s wife, Omega, promoted the music program by teaching piano lessons and working with the children’s choir. The Westside Baptist Mission Church was started in September of 1984, meeting for three months in the home of Pastor Raymond Eames before renting a building on the west side of town for $250 per month. In October of 1985, FBC purchased 3 acres of land located at 8789 Highway 84 west of Ferriday. Westside Baptist Church later purchased the land from FBC in July of 2008, at which time the land was paid in full, and ownership was transferred to Westside Baptist Church. Stephens resigned in 1985 to return to Mississippi. Lucian Conway served as Interim Pastor for a second time following Stephens’ resignation.
In 1986, John Connell was called to serve as Pastor. Under his leadership, the church retired debt accumulated from some of the prior building projects. In 1988 the leadership of the Delta Association and Louisiana Baptist Convention helped start the Delta Storefront Mission on Louisiana Avenue in Ferriday. At that time, FBC was operating a food pantry and clothes closet, that the membership decided to relocate those ministries to the Delta Storefront and support the mission with $100 per month. That contribution, plus $300 per month from the Louisiana Baptist Convention, $50 per month from the Delta Association, and donations from other local churches sustained the Storefront Mission. Phillip LaBorde of the Delta Mission group agreed to be the director in 1989 and was followed by Edna Craft who continues to serve as the director. The Mission is staffed by volunteers. Dr. Connell resigned as Pastor in 1989, and now serves as Pastor in Florida.
Charles Heltman served as Interim Pastor from 1989-1990. First Baptist then called Buddy Carter who served as Pastor beginning in October 1990. During his administration, the church began a 5-year renovation program for the church under the leadership of the Vision of Victory Committee. The Educational Building received extensive renovation in 1992 and 1993, with the original sanctuary undergoing renovation in 1994 to include the addition of a handicap ramp. Following Carter’s resignation, Dr. Max Lee of Winnsboro served as Interim Pastor from July 1994, until March 1995.
Roger Johnson became the Pastor of FBC in April of 1995 and was instrumental in refocusing the church on renovation of the current sanctuary. Planning on this began in February of 1996 and by February of 1997 the final plans were complete for the renovation of the church building with a proposed budget of $200,000. The renovation began in April of 1997 and was completed by August 3, 1997. The church celebrated its 75th Anniversary on June 23, 1996. Former Pastor Allen Stephens brough the service message, and former Music Director Tim Hubbard and his wife Melanie led the music and praise service. Lunch and fellowship time followed in the Family Life Center with many members and former members attending. Johnson submitted his resignation in 1999, and he, his wife Carol, and their daughters moved to Farmerville, Louisiana.
In 1999, Wayne Gray began serving as Interim Pastor until he was later called as full-time Pastor in 2000. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans and surrounding areas. Many churches, homes, businesses, and infrastructures were destroyed with countless lives uprooted and forever changed. FBC became a Red Cross Shelter serving many displaced people. Gray and the members ministered in a variety of ways including food service, laundry, sleeping and bathing quarters, as well as comforting hurting individuals. Men, women, and children were served, and they joined in the worship services each week. As a result of this emergency, the church began a Disaster Relief Ministry including chainsaw, mud-out, and chaplaincy teams. Many mission trips were taken during these years, led by lay people, students, deacons, and members. Following a season of ministry during considerable natural disaster, Gray resigned in July 2012.
Following Gray’s resignation, Stacy Morgan served as Transitional Pastor from November 2012—March 16, 2014. Josh Morea was called as Pastor on March 19, 2014. Morea traveled to Indonesia on two occasions for mission trips. His brother, Jesse Morea, joined the church staff as Student Minister in 2015. The 2-story educational building was renovated in 2015 to better serve the church. Morea resigned January 22 of 2020 to serve as Pastor in Florida.
J. D. Cheetham of the Baptist Message staff served as interim Pastor until the arrival of Thomas Lee who began serving as Pastor on July 1, 1972. The church continued to flourish under Lee, and the congregation grew to a membership of 873. His wife, Elizabeth actively promoted Sunday School by training teachers of younger children using creative methods. On July 28, 1974, a milestone was reached as First Baptist Church celebrated its 50th Anniversary. In 1976 Lee resigned to accept a position at Lifeway Publications in Tennessee. Following his resignation, Lucian Conway served as Interim Pastor.
Allen Stephens was called to serve as Pastor in 1978. In March of 1979, two additional lots were purchased on the corner of Fifth Street and Virginia Avenue to accommodate construction of the Family Life Center which was designed and constructed in 1982 to meet the needs of all age groups in the active and growing church. In 1981 a canopy was built extending from the Educational Building to the side entry of the Sanctuary. Allen’s wife, Omega, promoted the music program by teaching piano lessons and working with the children’s choir. The Westside Baptist Mission Church was started in September of 1984, meeting for three months in the home of Pastor Raymond Eames before renting a building on the west side of town for $250 per month. In October of 1985, FBC purchased 3 acres of land located at 8789 Highway 84 west of Ferriday. Westside Baptist Church later purchased the land from FBC in July of 2008, at which time the land was paid in full, and ownership was transferred to Westside Baptist Church. Stephens resigned in 1985 to return to Mississippi. Lucian Conway served as Interim Pastor for a second time following Stephens’ resignation.
In 1986, John Connell was called to serve as Pastor. Under his leadership, the church retired debt accumulated from some of the prior building projects. In 1988 the leadership of the Delta Association and Louisiana Baptist Convention helped start the Delta Storefront Mission on Louisiana Avenue in Ferriday. At that time, FBC was operating a food pantry and clothes closet, that the membership decided to relocate those ministries to the Delta Storefront and support the mission with $100 per month. That contribution, plus $300 per month from the Louisiana Baptist Convention, $50 per month from the Delta Association, and donations from other local churches sustained the Storefront Mission. Phillip LaBorde of the Delta Mission group agreed to be the director in 1989 and was followed by Edna Craft who continues to serve as the director. The Mission is staffed by volunteers. Dr. Connell resigned as Pastor in 1989, and now serves as Pastor in Florida.
Charles Heltman served as Interim Pastor from 1989-1990. First Baptist then called Buddy Carter who served as Pastor beginning in October 1990. During his administration, the church began a 5-year renovation program for the church under the leadership of the Vision of Victory Committee. The Educational Building received extensive renovation in 1992 and 1993, with the original sanctuary undergoing renovation in 1994 to include the addition of a handicap ramp. Following Carter’s resignation, Dr. Max Lee of Winnsboro served as Interim Pastor from July 1994, until March 1995.
Roger Johnson became the Pastor of FBC in April of 1995 and was instrumental in refocusing the church on renovation of the current sanctuary. Planning on this began in February of 1996 and by February of 1997 the final plans were complete for the renovation of the church building with a proposed budget of $200,000. The renovation began in April of 1997 and was completed by August 3, 1997. The church celebrated its 75th Anniversary on June 23, 1996. Former Pastor Allen Stephens brough the service message, and former Music Director Tim Hubbard and his wife Melanie led the music and praise service. Lunch and fellowship time followed in the Family Life Center with many members and former members attending. Johnson submitted his resignation in 1999, and he, his wife Carol, and their daughters moved to Farmerville, Louisiana.
In 1999, Wayne Gray began serving as Interim Pastor until he was later called as full-time Pastor in 2000. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans and surrounding areas. Many churches, homes, businesses, and infrastructures were destroyed with countless lives uprooted and forever changed. FBC became a Red Cross Shelter serving many displaced people. Gray and the members ministered in a variety of ways including food service, laundry, sleeping and bathing quarters, as well as comforting hurting individuals. Men, women, and children were served, and they joined in the worship services each week. As a result of this emergency, the church began a Disaster Relief Ministry including chainsaw, mud-out, and chaplaincy teams. Many mission trips were taken during these years, led by lay people, students, deacons, and members. Following a season of ministry during considerable natural disaster, Gray resigned in July 2012.
Following Gray’s resignation, Stacy Morgan served as Transitional Pastor from November 2012—March 16, 2014. Josh Morea was called as Pastor on March 19, 2014. Morea traveled to Indonesia on two occasions for mission trips. His brother, Jesse Morea, joined the church staff as Student Minister in 2015. The 2-story educational building was renovated in 2015 to better serve the church. Morea resigned January 22 of 2020 to serve as Pastor in Florida.
Where we are headed...
After Josh’s departure, Thomas Worsham served as Interim Pastor for a period of time, part of which was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2021, Kevin Ulmer was called to serve as Pastor of FBC. A committee was formed in 2022 to evaluate the renovation of the front wall and foyer of the current sanctuary. This project had an estimated cost of $310,000 and began in September 2023. The renovation was completed in the spring of 2024 and the updated facility provides a beautiful place for the fellowship and worship of God's people to take place in the heart of Ferriday. In September 2024, the church celebrated its 100th anniversary with a centennial celebration weekend. A host of members and visitors gathered together and celebrated the marvelous work of the Lord at First Baptist Church with time of Fellowship and singing on Saturday, September 14, and a memorable worship service on Sunday, September 15. Come join us as we continue the legacy of First Baptist Church by advancing the kingdom of God in Ferriday, across Louisiana, across the U.S., and around the world.
