Biography

First United Methodist Church was located at 1502 West Street, Winnsboro, Louisiana.

The Winnsboro congregation dates back to the middle of the 19th century. Though the exact date of its founding is not known, the first baptism entry in the original record book is by Stephen J. Davis and is dated 1854 or 1859. A sign on the church says it was founded in 1847. The record book itself bears the date 1858. After meeting in homes and at the courthouse for a number of years, the first church structure was completed in 1872.

After purchasing the property on August 26, 1872, the pines and oaks were cleared. Solomon Lowry was hired to build the church. It was painted white and had a bell on the steeple.

Under the leadership of Rev. H.W. Rickey, a new $32,000 church was completed in 1927. In 1957, an education building was added at a cost of almost $79,000.

In the 1980s, the congregation felt the need to expand their outreach, especially to youth. The idea to build an addition was approved on October 28, 1991. Money was raised over a period of years, with $55,000 being given by Mrs. Teddie Hatfield in memory of her husband Charles. The building was purchased, renovated, and named the Hatfield Building. Rev. Charles Langford led in the consecration service (September 24, 1995) and in the dedication service (October 12, 1997).

Winnsboro United Methodist Church disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church in May 2023.

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 MO-88.

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