The story of Methodism in Morehouse Parish began in 1804 when our country was comprised of thirteen states along the Atlantic coast. That year Bishop Asbury sent Learner Blackman to follow the settlers into the wilderness of the Louisiana Territory to methodically preach the gospel and organize Methodist Societies ahd churches. Blackman is the first Circuit Rider known to have preached in Morehouse Parish. The early Circuit Riders who laid the foundations of Methodism in this nation were heroic, self-sacrificing men. Many literally sacrificed their lives in their devoted efforts to make their appointed rounds. As Methodism began to spread westward many of the men the bishops sent out as missionaries were educated and experienced. Learner Blackman and most of the presiding elders appointed in those early days had successfully served in important posts before being assigned to the Louisiana Territory.

The Louisiana Annual Conference met at the Bastrop Church in 1855 and 1862. Those must have been very special occasions. In addition to the business sessions there was always great preaching by the best preachers in the conference. Methodists always came from miles around to hear the great sermons. In 1855 the l0th annual meeting of the conference was held in Bastrop on December 12-17. The Bastrop congregation went to great lengths to prepare for the gathering of Methodist ministers from all over the state. Early in the year the people decided to build a new church and that it should be done before the Annual Conference in December. They secured a lot on the corner of South Washington and West Hickory Streets in Bastrop and proposed an act of incorporation on March 14, 1855. The white congregation proceeded to build a frame church on the lot where the present church stands. They left the original log church on North Washington Street for the use of the slaves who had previously sat in their slave gallery during worship. The new church was completed in time for the conference. Ministers who came to conference were entertained in the homes of area Methodists. "Among the homes opened to (the) conference which met in Bastrop in 1855, with 'ye olden southern hospitality' were: Major JR. Brigham, Col. R.B. Todd, W. McFee, Mrs. Julia Buford, S. H. Handy, and Col. K.W. Ross." The conference opened in the courthouse and closed in the church. This was an important session. The Committee on incorporation presented a copy of the Act of 1ncorporation by the Legislature. John C. Keener was elected President of the Board of Trustees. A committee was named to mark the graves of Methodist ministers, but many graves could not be located.
Miss Lizzie who was still a member of the church in 1936 said she was baptized as a child during the conference in 1855.
Rev. John Pipes was assigned to the church at that conference. His book, Life' s-work, gives descriptions of the Morehouse Parish area in the mid-l800 ' s.
Seven years later the annual conference again convened in Bastrop. It was held December 10-13, 1862 and was chaired by Rev. James A. Ivey. The minutes were not printed unti11864 due to the war between the states. "Normal operation of the conferences were seriously curtailed during the war years. No bishops were able to attend from 1861- 66…" Robert J. Harp was named agent to collect funds to furnish soldiers religious literature. Six preachers were named as being in the Confederate Army. During the conference "...resolutions on the conference and war were passed, recognizing war as an evil but favoring the prosecution of the war with vigor, as loyal citizens sanctioning the means being used to expel the enemy and appointing a day in February a day of fasting and prayer for restoration of peace. It was ordered that men elected delegates of the General Conference should be continued as such - to serve whenever possible for a meeting to be held." A few laymen were being sent the conference sessions to be trained in churchmanship even though they could not officially vote or participate in deliberations. Six laymen attended the sessions in Bastrop in 1862 including Dr. McGraw of Bastrop. At the General Conference of 1866 the Louisiana delegation voted twenty-seven to eight against official lay representation at annual conferences.
The Bishop came to Bastrop on a number of occasions. On February 10, 1946 Bishop Paul Martin came to ordain Webb Pomeroy, and at other times to dedicate various buildings. These were all happy occasions. Webb, a hometown ministerial student, had completed his seminary studies and returned home on furlough from overseas service after World War II. Webb was the first minister in the conference to be ordained in his local church. He had missed the ordination ceremony at conference because he was on duty as a chaplain in the Navy. The building dedications were cause for celebration, too, because a goal had been reached -the project costs had been paid in full.

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