Biography

Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church (Coushatta, La.) is located at 6252 Louisiana Highway 783, Coushatta, Louisiana.

In November 1881, heirs of John F. McMurray sold ten acres of land in the Halfway Community to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South for $30. The land was formerly the site of the Coushatta Academy and Campground. The old Camp Shed was used for revivals and services were held in the Academy building. The church was called Coushatta Academy at that date. Rev. J.W. Hearn was the pastor at that time.

In 1887, a parsonage was built on the property. In March 1888, the circuit horse was sold for $60 to apply to the parsonage and furnishings. The church was built by the men of the church. The furniture was made of pine and put together with square nails. The hickory framework was pegged together. Construction on the church was completed by the spring of 1888. The church was dedicated in the name of Wesley. At some point, it became known as Wesley Chapel. The first church membership record was begun in 1892 by Rev. Lewis Reed. Green Mangham donated half an acre of land next to the parsonage for the pastor to use as a garden. But by the next year, the parsonage wasn’t being used. It was finally sold in 1903 and moved from the property.

Around 1913, Sunday School classes were held at the Carroll School.

A tornado knocked the church from its foundation in 1933. Though it was repaired, the church was torn down and rebuilt in 1942 by Guy Wimberly and Loftin Greer. In 1951, funds from a Box Supper were used to build the cemetery. A Turkey Dinner in 1952 raised money to install sheetrock and floor tile.

After the church burned down on August 27, 1985, it was rebuilt by May of 1986.

Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church in 2022.

Source: Timothy Hebert, “The Historical Register of the Louisiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church,” (Louisiana: Louisiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, 2004), page SH-86.

Found in 1 Collection or Record: