Walnut Creek Baptist Church

The original church building was a small box structure. In 1858 a larger building was constructed. The church was renovated to it present state in 1870. It is believed to be the oldest church in Lincoln Parish.

The building is architecturally important as a rare example of a well preserved mid to late ninteenth century country frame church. It represents a rare surviving example of North Louisiana building types, typical of the unpretentious building tradition. Architecturally speaking, churches of this type should be regarded as remote decendants of provincial Greek Revival temple form churches. They are generally associated with the Methodist and Baptist sects and represent a building type which is a vital part of the material culture of the Upland South.

But it is an archtype which is rapidly disappearing. Because these churches are in rural locations, many are no longer actively used and hence face an uncertain future. Today, there are probably fewer than ten remaining examples in the nine parishes in the eastern half of North Louisiana.

The Walnut Creek Baptist Church is also noteworthy because of its three lecterns which in 1918 were painted by a church member to resemble marble. It represents a vernacular interpretation of what was then a dying art. Although it lacks the polish of high style marbling, it has a peculiar intensity which can be seen as indicative of the folk mindset. It is certainly a very unusual work of architectural embellishment. The State Historic Preservation Office is not aware of another comparable example in the nine parish area in the eastern half of North Lousiana.

A newspaper article (no date but around 1984) listed members of the Walnut Creek Cemetery Association meeting at Walnut Creek Baptist Church. Members of the association were Arthur O. Jones, Chairman; Fred H. Mithcell, Treasure; Frank Davidson, Caretaker and Clinton Davidson and Mrs Mary Alexander. A couple members of the church were also listed, Rev. Thomas Green and L.C. Dick who refurbished some of the rails & steps. Some other names associated with the church are Burt, D. D. and Jesse Lomax who contributed the pews to the church in 1918. And finally, next to the church is the cemetery, some names of the interred are Lomax, Madden, Alexander, Davidson, and Trussel.

The information for this site was provided by the Division of Historic Preservation, Louisiana. Without their assistance this page would not have been possible.

 

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