The First 100 Years

  First Presbyterian Church - Homer, Louisiana

BY SARAH M. THOMSON

 

One hundred years ago the Rev. J. Franklin Ford, called "the Father of Red River Presbytery", was Stated Supply in Shreveport and served as Evangelist to the outlying territory. On November 4th, 1851, "after Divine Service" in the Homer Baptist Church he organized the "Presbyterian Church of Homer". A. J. Reynolds and Dinsmore Neely were Ruling Elders.

 

The church existed for another year when Joseph T. Davidson settled near Homer. He put new life into the small church and in 1854 was ordained Evangelist by Red River Presbytery. He was made State Supply for churches at Athens, Minden and State Line as well as Homer, where he was called to the pastorate in 1872 and served until his death in 1881.

 

The church held services alternately in the Baptist and Methodist Churches until 1872 when its own church was built. Recorded in the Clerk's Office on January 10, 1872, is the bill of sale, on "December 21, 1871, F. A. Peterson and Sallie G. Peterson of New Orleans, La. sold lots 9-10-11-12 to the Presbyterian Church of Homer, La. for the sum of $400.00 cash paid in hand." There is no available record as to the dedication of the church which was built that year and used until 1926 when it was razed to make room for the present building.

 

To the Rev. Davidson and his many descendants goes the credit for much of the vitality and service the church has rendered. "His field was a laborious one. Roads were bad and in many cases without bridges. He had to ride through rain and snow, and go around or swim swollen streams. But the church at Homer is his greatest monument in church erection. The common people heard him gladly. As a companion there was non more social, kind, sincere, and friendly. As a Christian he was devotedly, intelligently, and consistently pious. He emphatically enjoyed the service of his Master. He died with the harness on."

 

Rev. W. C. Dunlap of Shreveport held services occasionally until 1883 when Rev. D. McNeill Turner was Stated Supply for Minden and Homer. He lived in a rented house (Joe Lloyd's) as there was no manse. "He was a man of more than ordinary ability and an eloquent preacher."

 

During the years which followed there was no resident minister. Services were held once a month or at longer intervals. The church was served successively by Rev. J. A. McLees, Evangelist Cyrus Harrington, Rev. John S. Shaw, Rev. John M. Shive, Rev. H. L. Walton and Rev. J. J. McInnis. The Rev. J. T. Sailes never lived in Homer but preached her once a month at intervals between 1889 and 1919.

 

In 1909 Rev. William A. Rolle came with family to live in Homer and preach twice a month. During his pastorate the manse was built. The southeast corner lot was sold to Mrs. Rhoda Knighton (Allen Apartments) for $400.00 and this sum used for the initial payment on the manse. R. S. Gill was the contractor. The individual communion set was bought in 1909.

 

The next resident minister, Rev. J. C. McQueen, served the church from 1913 to 1916. He and his wife had been missionaries to Africa but returned to America because of her health. While in Homer their son, "Christie", now Rev. J. C. McQueen, Jr., pastor of Owensboro, Ky., was born. Mrs. McQueen died a few months afterwards. Rev. McQueen preached three Sundays a month in Homer.

 

Rev. S. P. Collins was pastor from 1919 to 1922. The oil boom was on. He gave full time service to the Homer Church and it became self-supporting and enjoyed a period of growth. A tabernacle was built on the south lawn and used for revival meetings; J. J. Moore had a saw mill and gave the lumber. An outpost was started in the oil field (now a Baptist church.)

 

In 1923 Rev. W. J. Pearman was pastor. He had sung with the Metropolitan and had a fine voice. He used to sing solos and trained a men's quartette.

 

From 1924 to 1927 Rev. Arthur C. Evans served as pastor. The old church was demolished and the present church built in 1926. R. S. Gill was the contractor and the cost, $33,000.00. Again sister churches, Episcopal and Christian, lent their buildings for worship.

 

Dr. B. C. Bell, Evangelist for Red River Presbytery, and Rev. J. F. McKenzie, a retired minister living in Shreveport, supplied the church for the next two year.

 

Days of depression followed. The church was pastorless and again became a Home Mission church.

 

In 1931 Rev. Charles G. McClure, a very young man, was called. He served the church for seven years. The debt was paid and the church dedicated; the manse renovated; ministers' annuity begun; and the church again became self-supporting. When Rev. H. H. Gordon came as pastor from 1938 to 1943, the time was opportune and he taught the church the beauty of worship and the joy of giving.

 

Since 1936, the Rev. Elton Wilson, retired, has lived in Homer and been a great asset to the church.

 

Rev. D. L. O'Neal was pastor from 1943 to 1947. During his pastorate many members became active, church attendance was excellent, gifts to benevolences increased, and the church organ was purchased.

 

From 1948 to 1950 Rev. C. Rodney Sunday was pastor. The Program of Progress was on and our church met its quota for all causes, finishing the entire amount in the first three years of the drive.

 

For seventeen months the church was pastorless. David Moore, a senior seminary student, served the church during the summer of 1950. Throughout the school year "Flying Parsons" from the Austin Seminary supplied the pulpit ably, but the church has needed a pastor. On October 14, 1951, the Rev. Leonard R. Swinney was installed as pastor.

 

The church stands on the threshold of its second century. We believe in her future as we honor and respect her past. Before her stretches a vista of growth, progress and usefulness.  God grant that she may be found worthy!