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( R E L I G I O N—
BAPTISTS.)
Minute book of
the Baptist Ministerial
Conference of the Parish of
Pointe Coupe, Louisiana,
1913-1934,
[ii],[1-24], 25-200
ruled pages.Approximately 175
pages of pencil and occasional
ink manuscript entries, Classic
ledger, small, tall folio, cloth
covered boards with raised
bands, morocco spine label.
hinges reinforced, rear endpaper
detached, text portion clean and
intact. With a small stationary
store booklet covering the year
1943 to 1944 (“Progressive
Counter Book”). Tall 8vo, 39
pages written in pen and pencil;
spine perished, but still holding.
BOTH SHOULD BE SEEN
.
Vp, 1913-1944
[1,500/2,500]
AN INFORMATIVE SECRETARY
’
S
RECORD OF SEVERAL IMPORTANT
BAPTIST CONFERENCES
.
These
minute books from the Ministerial
Conferences of the Parish of Point
Coupe [pronounced “pwent
coopay”], provide a detailed view of
the local church leadership of the
African-American Baptist congregations located in this area of Louisiana, not far from Baton Rouge.Typically
the conference would convene all day, and into the evenings on Fridays in the various cities and towns
throughout the Parish: New Roads (Parish seat), Morganza, Livonia, Red Cross, Innis,Torras, Fourdoche,
and Batchelor, to cite a few.The various congregations would take turns hosting the meetings. For example,
June 6, 1913: “. . .The best plan to advance the work of the Parish (county) conference was very ably and
pointedly discursed [sic] by Prof[?] L.F. Gerway, and among many things [he] said quite a number of years
ago the leaders of the churches saw the impo[r]tant need of a better prepared ministry to successfully accomplish
the great duties assigned to their hands, with the object in view they adopted in large cities weekly meetings
and in others monthly meetings where all may obtain a better understand[ing] how best to perform all duties
for the advancement of the whole people. . .”
These meetings typically included the discussion of church business, the collection of money for church
purposes, and worship services. All of the officers and members of the Conference were men, with
slightly more than half of them ministers, the remainder being church stewards, elders, etc. A list of
the members and ministers precedes the minutes. The worship portions of the meetings are fully
described in both books. Preaching punctuated these meetings and included both “doctrinal sermons’”
and “missionary sermons.” The Biblical texts chosen for the sermons are always quoted and cited
by chapter, line and verse. Prayers, often described as “fervent,” were accompanied by Hymns whose
titles and hymnbook reference numbers are cited within the minutes.Women sometimes took charge
of the worship for hours at a time, and provided food, the partaking of which was always a clear part
of religious fellowship.A fascinating glimpse into these small African-American congregations.