The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1905-11-24
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE

already established, with resident
ministers, was certainly no small I'M
dertaking, especially with only six
teen to start with, all of whom were
poor or at most, in very moderate Cir
cumstances: but we knew that we had
God and right on our side and would
succeed
The building and ground cost within
few dollars of $500, exclusive OF
paint, paper and chairs and to this
we must also add pipe line to Bap-
tistry, bell and organ which cost in
the aggregate about 5000, making the
church cost US, as it now stands,
about $3,400. OF this amount Sl2S
came from other churches and church
societies. About $500 came from citi-
zens of Welsh, not members OF our
church, about $500 by the Ladies' Aux
Hilary and the baTance, or about 81
500 by individual subscriptions OF the
members.
Of the $500 subscribed by those not
members of the church, large part of
it came from those who had their own
church to keep up.
On the whole the citizens of Welsh,
both Christians and those who make
no pretentions to religion, have been
very good to US. Only two men in the
town refused to give US something.
In connection with the water pipe to
the baptistry, Mr.. NJ. B. VanNess has
very generously given US without any
charge whatever, a perpetual right to
use water from his tanks: privilege
that it is hard to set a value on.
When our building was ready for
occupancy, we found that we we're
something like 81 ; 400 short of enough
to pay all bills. OF this Mr.. F. L.
Lewis held claim of about 81 200.
which he carried for US some time, un-
til several of our number borrowed on
our own endorsement. from the First
National Bank of Lake Charles.
With this we paid Mr., Lewis $1,000,
which left US including accrued inter-
est, owing him about $500. This has
all been paid blythe Ladies Auxiliary.
That we might have a legal exist
ance. we decided to incorporate our
church and on the 10Th of June, 1908,
the act of incorporation, constituting
US the First Baptist Church of Welsh,
was signed before H. A. Davidson,
notary public, by s. c. Self, A. C.
Shipman, J. F. Tubbs, Mrs. Ruth
Tubbs, P. H. Goodreau, Mrs. Belle
Holl Mrs. A. G. Sloane, JnO. H.
Cooper, Miss Eldia Goodreau, Mrs,
Wilma Lewis; the following being
named as officers and directors: Jno.
Fl. Cooper, Pres, NJ. L. Sloane, Vice
Pres, 2. H. Goodreau Treas, J
F. Tubbs, Sec and A. G. Shipman
r. M. Gray and W. c. Brown.
Attorneys, Mitchell and Young O
Lake Charles. gave US all the lega
advice necessary and prepared thu
charter without any charges whatever
thus saving US as these things go, a
least $25. We had hoped before ou
nota was due at the bank, to secure ;
loan from our home board and il
fact we had the assurance when we be
gan. to build, that in case we wer
short, there would be no difficulty i,
getting it there, but when the tim
came we found that $500 was the mos
the board would loan US and to secur
that, it was necessary to clear all in
cImberances and give them what wa
virtually bill of sale to the property
The first we could not do at that tim
and if we could, we never would hav
agreed to the last.
When the note was due we ha
raised enough to pay the interest an
800 on the principle, leaving ST, 1OC
OF this all but $500 was paid by 81
- members of the church, they taking
note from the church for the amount
and giving the church's note for tn
other $500. About one year ago on
of these members was paid off and S:
paid on the $500 note. All these note
which with accumulated interes
amounted to 81, l54, were either paid c
donated to the church on November
1905. Thus, 10 the space of two an
one-half years, the little band of 81,
teen has by their efforts and the bles
lug of God and by the assistance
those who have since joined Their
erected and paid for a building ar
furnishings that have cost So, 400. B
sides this we have contributed, as ne;