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Greggory E. Davies gedavies@winnfield.net March 10, 2007, 9:24 pm
History of the Evergreen Baptist Church
A Brief History of one of the oldest Churches, Colored Baptist Church, in the South. Dated as far back as 1833, when Major Waddell came to the State of Louisiana, from Hanover Co. North Carolina. And brought with him 18 slaves, whose names will be given later on in this little Book. And in those hearts the Church of which we are attempting to write a history, had been established even before this imbarkation for these Shores. We have unable to ascertain the exact date upon they imbarked, but we are reliably informed that they landed at New Orleans, Dec. 26, 1833.
They then boarded a little Steamer known as the James Monroe, which brought them from that City, and landed them at St. Maurice La, January 1st, 1833.
One of the first Leaders named to lead this litle flock, who also came from the State of North Carolina with them, was known as Colcy Camel. It should be remembered that in every State, there were Masters who were kindhearted, and genuinely sympathetic, who treated their Slaves with consideration, And some of them taught their Slaves to read. And had them marry according to the requirements of the Church. And did not allow them to violate with impunity, nor did these Masters violate these marriage vows of their slaves. But took them to their churches, and had them share the benefits of the Pulpit ministrations, and thus acted toward them in the capacity of a Father and Mother toward their Children. There was genuine affection between them. And these Slaves were the favored ones in the South. And the exslaves of today, who had such masters, Never cease to sing their praise. But it must be borne in mind that sutch Slave Masters were few and far between, and what is still more remarkable, such moral, intelectual and spiritual care of the Slaves by these few noble Spirits, Was contrary to the letter and spirit of the Law in every Slave state.
The law of certain States forbid the use of the Bible, or any other book.
They also forbade Religious meetings of the Negroes, unless a majority of whites were present. It wasunder these conditions that Bro. Camel would gather the little flock together, in the still hours of night, and lead them to some secrete, but very Sacred spot, where as he felt, NONE COULD SEE but GOD, though not without apprehension. Very often one or two would place themselves apart from the little group as guards and in the event of an approaching danger, they would signal the worshipers with a strange sound that all seem to understand. And there they would sing praises to God, but very sweet and low, and would lift up their faithful hearts to God in prayer. And trusting him in their Childlike simplicity, they doubtless were fed on the dwell in the land and verily though shall feed. Ps. 37, 3.
Just here it would be good to relate a little story that I have often heard, which would be illustrative of the conditions that obtained in those days. As the story goes, on one occasion, when everything had been arranged for the services, one of the visiting Brethrens arose to word out one of his favorite songs, which read like this, "Oh for a thousand tongues to sing," and one of the number became somewhat frightened by the numbers of tongues expressed, at once sprung to his feet and demanded in a suppressed but earnest gone of voice, "Stop right dar. No sir ree. No thousand tongues to sing here cause we can't keep old Master from hearing dese few if dey sings like dey ought to."
Finally these secrete night meetings became known by some means to their Master. He used some restrictions in a way of threats, to prohibit them meeting any more at night, as he supposed it greatly hindered them meeting any more in their daily services, But God said "Whosoever will lose his life for my sake, shall find it." Mat. 16.25.
Rather than use the punishments commonly used in those days, and finding that they were determined to worship their God, he sought to change the time of their meetings by procuring them a preacher to preach to them on Sundays. But one to his own liking who was of course a white man known as Rev. Packson, who served for one year and would invariably preach from the text: Servants be subject to your Masters, with all fear, or something equivalent to that. And even while he served as preacher they would have their meetings on Sunday nights. And at the close of the year Rev. Packson's time was out. And Parson Coley Camel as he was afterwards familiarly called, again took up the cross and led the little band for twelve consecutive years. Then God who led Israel by a Pillar of cloud by day, and by night a pillar of fire, called this great but humble leader from labor to reward. Now for the benefit of the reader and particularly for those who are connected by blood to this little band of Christians we will give their names as has been previously promisd and their decendants as correct as it possible to do under the circumstances.
The names of those who constituted the little band of pioneer Christians and were truly the Pillars in the Temple of God, in those dark ages, are as follows: Moses Burgoin and his wife Eliza, who is the grand parent of Rev. R.
A. Nash, who is pastor at this writing. Four daughter were born to Moses and Eliza Burgoin, three of them married a Nash and one a Davis, Charley Nash and Philadelphia Nash his wife, had three sons, Aaron, Sam, and Harry. Harry Nash and Laura Burgoin his wife had borne to them six sons. The oldest of these sons, whose name was Alexander Nash, was the father of the late Rev. R. A.
Nash. Primas Winslow and Siller his wife, had born to them three sons and one daughter whose name was Auber. Her husband's name was Crawford Nash who is the father and mother of E. B. Nash, deacon of the Gilgal Baptist Church at Luela, La. Arthor Harris and Flora his wife whose owners lived on an adjoining plantation owned by a Mr. Strong. They also were the father and morhter of the Rev. J. A. Harris who is at this writing pastor of Gilgal Baptist Church, Luela, La., also president of the Twelfth District Association.
Among the most devout and consistant Christiam women of that number were Flora Harris, Eliza Burgoin, who could e easily classed with the Dorcas and Phobe of the days of the Apostles, not having the advantage of an education nor even enough to read the Songs composed by the great poets of that day, they moved the inspiration of the almighty God composed of the songs of their own. And through these songs has led many to Christ.
Here is one that was often sang by this little band, after prayer, as a Closing Song:
I couldn't hear nobody pray
I couldn't hear nobody pray
Away down yonder by myself
I couldn't hear nobody pray
Also this is one that is very often sang in our meetings until this day:
Away over in the promise land
Away over in the promise land
My Lord calls me and I must go
Away over in the promise land
The next great character that was providentialy called of God to lead this flock w in the person of one Glasco Taylor who was brought to St. Maurice, La.
from the State of South Carolina, by his master, a Mr. Prothro, in 1849 who bought the plantation and the slaves that had been formerly owned by the Waddells. Now Parson Taylor as we shall call him, were totally unletered not able to distinguish one letter from another but was blessed with a powerful memory. In showing this great memory he possessed when there was a couple to be married his old master would have one of his sons write out a ceremony to be used for the occasion then he would read it to Parson Taylor then on the date arranged for these persons to be joined together in holy matrimony Parson Taylor would have them duly arranged and would extract from his pocket the paper written by his young master and also read to him and repeat the words as correctly as if able to read and write himself. Mr. Prothro he also hired a white preacher to preach to the slaves. And we should not fail to give due credit to thse venerable Gentlemen. "All things work together for good to them that loves the Lord." Roman 8.28, but one thing remarkable about these is the similarity of their text which would almost always be "servants obey your masters" or something of that nature. This white preacher known as Rev.
Wallace served only a short while though Parson Taylor, the chosen of God, ws still with the little flock to served them as their leader. He would also preach his favorite subject, "I am the true vine and my Father is the husband Man. John 13.1. He would have his young master read this chapter to him until he became very familiar with it and would always preach selecting a text from this chapter, he had also a favorite song, he would sing in the opening of the service:
How happy every child of grace
Who knows their sins forgiven
This earth he cries is not my place
I seek a home in heaven
Parson Taylor served the little flock for eighteen years or up to 1866.
Freedom had been declared and they were beginning to face new conditions and some of them moved away but however during the year 1866 there came two Elders from New Orleans, La., Rev. William Moody and Rev. Issac Langston. These two Elders organized this church which was first known as St. Maurice Church. the organizers were able however to find as many as fifteen of the little band and organized them into a constituted church, a cabin had been used as the place of worship but owing to the condition of the weather, being summer, and considering the size of the cabin, and its lack of ventilation, they concluded that it was better to gather under an oak tree that stood nearby that may be seen yet waving its green foilage over the spot where 48 years ago, at this writing this little band of pilgrims met to have themselves organized into a constituted Baptist Church.
P. W. Holmes then a young preacher and having a good master he fortunately acquired a primary education and because of his ability to read and write these Elders made him pastor. Rev. Holmes served the church as pastor for nine unbroken years or until 1875, he then absented himself for two years, meanwhile the church were still progressing in the adding of its membership during the absence of Rev. P. W. Holmes, the Church were not without a minister, Rev. W. H. Harris served six months as minister in charge. The church then chose Rev. W. M McMilan, who pastored them eighteen months, this completed the two years absence of Rev. P. W. Holmes, who returned and resumed the pastoral charge of the Church. Now at this writing they are still using a cabin as their place of worship but a different and much better one, the inside walls of this cabin had been taken down and used to box in a porch and a part used to make seats and a pulpit and on the whole, this was a very respectable house of worship. They continued in this building until 1878 when Bro. P. W. Davis, who was and is at this writing clerk of the Church, also one of the leading men of his Church saw the necessity of building that be truly called their own and one spacious enough to accomodate their growing congregation. He at once began the great work and at the same time pressing the minds of others the great need of such a house and soliciting aid from every legitimate source. And it goes without saying that he was successful because this house that stands as a monument making its own silent expressions at that time the name of the Church were changed and has been known as the Evergreen Baptist Church ever since Rev. P. W. Holmes served this Church for
33 years as its pastor during which time he added many souls to their number.
Truly the Psalmist said Ethiopia shall soon stretch forth her hand unto God.
Additional Comments:
(I do not know who wrote this history nor when it was written. I estimate it to be c.1914. The copy I have transribed was furnished by Mr. Cleavell Clark of Winn Parish, a very fine gentlemen and avid historian.)
File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/winn/churches/evergree18gbb.txt
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