History
One Hundred Fifty- Four Years
Paradis, Louisiana
In 1859 during the dark, cruel days of slavery a group of our forefathers headed by Deacon Hubert Colbert organized the First Baptist Church. The first building was located at “28th Switch”. The first pastor was Reverend Richard Foster of Algiers, Louisiana. First Baptist has since been under the pastoralship of Reverend H.C. Green, Reverend S.P. Thomas, Reverend Isaac Clark, Reverend Gabriel James, Reverend G.D. McGruder, Reverend George Davis, Reverend Mann Collins, Reverend Williams Fisher, Reverend A. D. Sumler, Reverend Nathan Cambric, Reverend James Cole, Rev. Henry A. Hills and Elder Albert M. Charles who served for twenty-seven years.
Much has been accomplished under the leadership of our past pastors, through the great cooperation of our loyal members with the help of friends and the great blessings and favor of God.
First Baptist was destroyed by fire. On December 27, 1910 a committee of Brothers Isaiah Williams, Sr., James Lee, and Henry Hopkins and the members purchased the present site.
The committee of Brothers Isaiah Williams, Sr., George Banks, George Davis, Jr., Henry Hopkins and Edmund Rapides incorporated the church in 1911.
Reverend James Cole did an unusual thing. He stepped down from pastorate and served under Reverend Henry Hills’ leadership.
The First Baptist Church was destroyed by fire on November 1, 1939 and rebuilt in 1941.
First Baptist Church was under the leadership of Pastor Hills for forty- seven years. He was a powerful teacher and an anointed preacher. Many of our members accepted Christ under his leadership. During his tenor the church was renovated in 1960, 1970 and plots of land were purchased in 1966, October 1975 and May 1979. Also under his administration First Baptist used some of the purchased land for our cemetery. Many burial plots of love ones were moved from LL&E Property and Shellmound of Des Allemands, Louisiana.
Our church has been blessed with great faithful workers who along with those members previously mentioned and the following: Sisters Dora Griffin, Emily Hills, Rachel Butler, Lois Gibbs, Leola White, Drusilla Landry, Mable White, Mildred Williams and Brothers Cleveland White, Sr., Alfred Hills, Jr., James Cherry, Joseph Griffin, George Griffin, Jr., Darris Williams, Sr. Reverend Joseph Dorsey, Sr. and Reverend Walter Ross.
On September 2, 1981, Pastor Henry A. Hills a faithful servant went to be with the Lord.
On April 23, 1982 First Baptist elected Elder Albert M. Charles as their Pastor. During his administration he taught the church how to trust and depend on God, to love, tithe and to give to others.
Elder Albert M. Charles served First Baptist for twenty-seven years. He was a humble, praying, teacher, preacher, friend and singer. Under his leadership many joined the First Baptist Church Family, some by baptism, others by Christian experience. Many were ordained during his leadership including our present Pastor Reverend Lionel Mason Sr. Under Pastor Charles’s leadership our present sanctuary renovations began on March 8, 1993 and was completed on December 19, 1993.
During the renovations, Pastor John L. Dorsey and the Mt. Airy Church Baptist Church opened their doors to us. Other accomplishments included the purchase of more land, new pews, a completed parking facility, and the church van.
On Sunday, December 27, 2009 history repeated itself, Pastor Charles in obedience to God stepped aside to become Pastor Emeritus and named Reverend Lionel Mason, Sr., as Pastor to succeed him and Elder James Williams, III as the Assistant Pastor of First Baptist Church. On Saturday, January 30, 2010 the Reverend Lionel E. Mason, Sr. was installed as pastor of First Baptist Church.
After a well fought fight, Elder Albert M. Charles finished his course and went on to be with the Lord on February 5, 2011.
Today the First Baptist Church continues on her steady march, with visions of renewal, restoration, and further growth under the leadership of our loving Pastor Lionel Mason, Sr., who is a friend to all men. He firmly believes the mission of the church is Matthew 28:19-20: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” He is equipping the saints to catch the vision with some ministries implemented and others revitalized such as: Marriage, Senior Saints, Greeting, Photography, Male Choir, Intercessory Prayer, Youth, and Junior Deacons.
Also under Pastor Mason’s leadership Brother Girod Jackson, Sr., and the late Brother Fredrick Brown, Sr. were ordained deacons. Minister Justin Robinson was ordained a Reverend on June 8, 2012. Minister Sterling White and Minister Greg Scott, Sr. are ministers in training.
First Baptist is dedicated to prayer, teaching, and preaching. We have come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord. We have stood because First Baptist was a model of a church that God wants us to be. The history of First Baptist Church tell the story of faithful, spiritual men and women who are characterized by their acts of love devotions and strength. It is a story of sweeping change in progress. More importantly it is the history of a group of people who kept no record of their deeds for their deeds were a part of their being. It is a history of people who had a mind to work.