First Baptist Church of Mansfield recently marked its 150th anniversary, celebrating
a ministry that has reached throughout Louisiana.
First Baptist Church of Mansfield recently marked its 150th anniversary, celebrating
a ministry that has reached throughout Louisiana.
The Louisiana Baptist church was organized on June 18, 1851,
with fourteen original members who pledged $1,051 to build the congregations
first facility.
A total of five facilities have housed the church, including
one accidently destroyed by fire in the Battle of Mansfield during the Civil
War. The church was being used as a hospital, when a wounded soldier knocked
over a candle that led to the fire.
The Mansfield church members have focused on building beyond
themselves as well. The congregation has given birth to two other churches and
has teamed with Baptists in South Louisiana to help support work in that region
as well.
Twenty-four pastors have served the church, including current Pastor William
Crosby. Anniversary activities also included messages from Scott Tatum, a longtime
Louisiana Baptist leader and a former member of the church; and John Jackson,
a California resident who is the great-great-great grandson of the churchs
founding pastor – Abraham Wyche Jackson