|
In 1939, The Navigators, a group of young people
at Emmanuel Baptist Church Alexandria, had a discussion about
Missions in BYPU (Baptist Young Peoples Union, forerunner of
Discipleship Training). R.G. Bryant suggested that being a
missionary was more than studying what missions is or who is
doing missions. The group decided to find a place that
needed them and where they could build a continuing relationship
with the people. The outer Lee Street area was recommended by
Emmanuel pastor, Kearnie Keagan.
A census revealed 12 families who would help them tell the
community about Jesus. They started with Prayer Meetings in
homes and Bible Studies became part of the Prayer Meetings two
or three times a week. The mission formally began January 20,
1940 at 2:30 in a home on Fenner Street and was called Lee
Street Mission. Several LC faculty members provided guidance and
encouragement. About six months later Emmanuel Baptist Church
officially accepted sponsorship of the mission. As the
attendance grew, the meetings moved across the street to the
park under large trees.
After a revival in June the attendance grew and the shade
trees could no longer shade everyone who came for Bible Study
and Worship. A site at the corner of Rosalie and Dennis Streets
was selected; Emmanuel made a loan of $2,500, and a building was
secured from Camp Livingston. By September 1940 services were
held in the "new" building. The Emmanuel WMU began to
meet with the Lee Street WMU. There was also a Brotherhood
organized.
The first Vacation Bible School (VBS) was held in the summer
1941 and lasted two weeks. Ten days of revival meetings followed
the VBS, with L. C. Smith as revival preacher.
In August 1941, Herschel Hobbs became pastor at Emmanuel. On
July 5, 1942, he presided at the organization of the Lee Street
Mission into Parkview Baptist Church. R.G. Bryant was the first
pastor and one of the 32 Charter Members.
In April 1950, the church voted to build a parsonage for
$7,000 on Prescott Road. The last parsonage owned by the church
was on Fulton Street.
In 1952, two acres of land was purchased at Masonic and
Highway 165. In keeping with the theme of "Building for the
Future," the first spade of dirt was turned for
groundbreaking ceremonies April 10, 1955. The buildings at
Rosalie and Dennis were moved to the new location and the new
building, a sanctuary, was built in 1956. The first section of
educational space was completed in June 1958 and the second
section in September 1959. Both were dedicated in April 1960.
The present sanctuary was begun in 1968 and dedicated in May
1969.
Church minutes record encouragement to ministries such as aid
to Asian refugees in 1975. A mission outreach to Hispanics in
1987 evolved into an English for Internationals class. Weekly
Bible Study is held at three local nursing homes on Sunday Mornings.
Sunday School classes as well as small cell groups throughout
the church minister to the needs of many in the Alexandria area
on a regular basis.
Located in one of the most visible sites in Central
Louisiana, Parkview has the reputation of being a
people-centered church. The first pastor notes that
"this is the key to the success or failure of Parkview
Baptist Church during the next 50 years."
Sources: History of Emmanuel; Alexandria
Daily Town Talk; Parkview Church Minutes; and histories written
for previous anniversaries and church directories.
|
