FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
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For a season during the 1800’s, the Sabbath Schools of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church held joint services under one set of officers in the village of Crowley Switch. On April 29, 1894, the Presbyterian congregation placed chairs in the absence of church pews, and a mutual regret of separation between both Presbyterian and Methodist congregations were felt as the Presbyterian congregation occupied their new building structure as it became available for services. The initial sermon preached to the congregation of seventy that first Sabbath morning within the walls of a new building structure was delivered by Dr. George Fraser, and entitled ‘And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw men unto me.” (John 12:32). Although the founder of the Crowley Presbyterian Church, Dr. Fraser was never installed as pastor, he served it as state supply until 1896. Throughout the course of thirty five years, Presbyterian Sunday School classes continued to be stretched out in various locations throughout the sanctuary.
The membership of the Presbyterian congregation reached sixty before the change of pastoral ship in 1896. Reverend D.F. Wilkinson would carry the torch of God’s word as first installed pastor of the First Presbyterian Church to the village of Crowley Switch from October of 1896 until January 1903. During the duration of his call to ministry the church became self supportive in 1898, among other improvements such as the instillation of handsome oak pews, and a double in increasing numbers of memberships.
A period of restoration offered growth and development for the Presbyterian congregation between the years of 1912 and 1929. By 1915 membership doubled, as did the financial contributions, while even allowing for a $14,000 building fund.
The days of growing pains were over, and at the mature age of twenty-one the Presbyterian Church weathered its years of adolescence with great strength and determination. United in purpose with a solid foundation, the Presbyterian community pressed forward to advance the kingdom of God. As a strong and vital organization, the Presbyterian church steadily grew and continued to expand its services and facilities to meet the challenges of the times.
On February 18, 1912 the Presbyterian congregation extended a call to minister to Reverend Charles O’Neal Martindale. He was the first pastor to occupy a manse provided by the church, purchased March 27, 1913 for $1,500. The manse would supply shelter for three more pastoral families before being sold in 1935. Reverend Martindale delivered his first message on Sunday, April 7, 1912, and was installed the following Wednesday. As a man with strong convictions, Reverend Martindale was an earnest Bible student, a hard worker, and specialized in training Sunday School leaders and teachers. He brought much growth to the community of Crowley as his training classes were successful, and inter-denominational in character.
In the summer of 1926, forty-eight year old, Reverend Walter Francis Creson would be the successor to Reverend Ahrenbeck, and in September his work in Crowley began.
As a man who believed in getting things done; two weeks after his arrival Reverend Creson presented a comprehensive ‘Three Year Program’ to the Session which approved and passed it before the congregation. The program consisted of goals to double membership, increase Sunday School attendance, as well as Prayer Meetings. It also included studying the doctrine of stewardship in order that the work of the church may be adequately financed.
The dyer need for Sunday School classrooms had reached its peak with a membership enrollment of two hundred and thirty five. A committee was appointed on October 10, 1926 to define ‘adequate equipment’ and soon derived at the necessity of constructing a new church building with a seating capability of at least five hundred members and space sufficient in accommodating at least twenty classrooms, a reception hall, kitchen, butlery, and a pastors study or conference room. The pastor was authorized to appoint a Finance Committee to canvas the congregation to raise sufficient funds. The far-reaching proposal for a new building began to show signs of a stable possibility after the committee presented the total of raised funds of $61,290.00 at a banquet given for the congregation by the Ladies Auxiliary on December 4, 1927. After being commended for their excellent work, the committee was discharged and the congregation elected an Executive Committee to follow through on consulting an architect. The proposed plan and method of construction would require more land than the two corner lots on which the original building structure stood. The Board of Trustee’s were then authorized to purchase the land adjoining the church on the north side. It was estimated that the total cost of construction including a pipe organ and furnishings came to the grand total of $80,000. Without farther funding the construction of the new building would be delayed, therefore a committee of six was appointed to canvass those who had not yet signed a note. Efforts to raise funds brought the total collected to $78,497.00. The following days headline in the Crowley Daily Signal read: “Start Soon on New Church for Presbyterians.”
Pledges made were in the form of promissory notes; therefore a mortgage note of ten years was secured by the property in which the churches structure was built. Unforeseen at that time was the arrival of the Great Depression by which would begin later in the year. It would cause greater difficulties than the ones encountered during the construction of the earlier church.
In March of 1929 the construction of the new building would begin, while the older building was moved aside to the east, partly resting on the corner of the lot, while half extended into the street. The foundation of the new church was laid and work began on the pressed brick walls. Expectations of completion began with a vision of completion in four months, but with delays encountered concerning secured material it would be some time before the new church would be completed.
With construction into full tilt during the summer of twenty-nine, Reverend Creson resigned in July. Regretfully the congregation concurred, and within four days the pastoral relationship were officially dissolved by the Louisiana Presbytery. A reception was given in honor of the pastor and his family on July 27, 1929, thereafter he moved forward into his new responsibility as pastor of the West Ashville, North Carolina Presbyterian Church.
The beautiful Gothic architecture of the new church building began to take shape as construction was not hindered by the loss of their pastor. Concerns of filling the pulpit was once again upon the minds of the congregation, and they set out immediately to fill the vacancy. Before long the First Presbyterian Church of Crowley would once again welcome a new pastor into its fold. Reverend John Robert Richardson would except the unanimous call to ministry and by the end of October 1929 he began his work in Crowley.
Young and dynamic with an evangelistic fervor, Reverend Richardson took up the work of his predecessors with an enthusiasm which he instilled into his members. As a result membership increase by ninety two during the duration of his service to Crowley. A home to home visitation evangelism was established and carried forth by both the pastor and congregation. With excellent facilities and willing and able leadership, all phases of the church’s activities expanded.
By the grand works of the Woman’s Auxiliary, the project of installing a Hinners Pipe Organ became a reality. This devoted organization had begun its quest to raise money for a church organ long before definite plans were made to build.
The church alter was initially christened by the grace and beauty of a wedding. Because there were no pews to seat the guest, they graciously stood. An aisle was formed for the arrival of the wedding party by a line of candelabra and baskets of flowers. The First Presbyterian Church of Crowley’s new pastor, Reverend Richardson would assist Reverend Paul B. Freeland, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Opelousas with officiating the matrimonial service that day.
With the approaching of the Thanksgiving holiday, it was decided that it would be most appropriate to hold the first church service as an inauguration for the new structure, therefore the last service in the old building was held on Sunday, November 17, 1929, and the demolition began henceforth. The church pews for the new building arrived, and were installed at the beginning of the week of Thanksgiving. The beautiful pews were filled by five hundred proud and eager members, as well as other denominations in support of the Presbyterian congregation’s accomplishment. The lovely sounds of the piped organ led the worship in song, praise, and thanksgiving, while various churches joined in the choir with song.
The first funeral held in the new church was that of one of the congregation’s charter members, Miss Minnie A. Williams. She was the last remaining of the first seven charter members from 1890.
Stained glass adorned the church windows for the first time in the summer of 1930. The walls were painted a light tan in a stipple effect with medallions in gold, and other colors were placed on the front walls flanking the rostrum; one each below the two sets of ornamental organ pipes.
The ‘Flood of 1940’ caused extensive damage to the furnishings of the church. Flood waters exceeded the outer boundaries of the church as water became stagnated across the floors of the church for days following. This resulted in the necessity of re-sanding, varnishing, and re-carpeting all floors, as well as re-finishing the churches beautiful oak pews.
This devoted community of Presbyterians has faced three wars, two depressions, a natural disaster, and many change over’s in pastorate before 1945. Many great pastorate leaders have since passed through the pulpit of the First Presbyterian Church. Other battles and wars have touched and scared America‘s youth, but through it all the First Presbyterian congregation of Crowley, Louisiana have continued to persevere, join forces, work together, and maintain their faith in times past and present.