Bossier History

Life - Bossier History

Library for Bossier

Tuesday, 21 May 2013 13:26 Ann Middleton

Under the title “Want Parish Library Located in Bossier, Propose Legislation,” the Plain Dealing Progress edition of June 11, 1936 told about a bill pending in the Louisiana Legislature that would create funds for maintenance of parish libraries.

“Of interest to every person in the state, and especially to farmers, is House Bill No. 660 providing for state aid to parish and regional libraries, now before the legislature. Library service for every part of Louisiana will eventually be provided if the bill goes into effect, state members of the Louisiana Library Commission.”

“In response to requests for such aid from 45 parishes, the proposed appropriation will extend parish library service into a larger area, provide for more books, strengthen existing libraries and result in the establishment of more libraries throughout the state.”

“Only six of the 64 Louisiana parishes have parish-wide library service at present and 1.409,084 persons in the state are without the use of free public library service. The use of existing libraries has demonstrated their need. All the books that can be provided are eagerly read, say librarians, and there are sometimes hundreds on the waiting lists of parish libraries and of the Louisiana Library Commission headquarters at Baton Rouge.”

“Members of rural communities would soon be provided, through state aid, with branch libraries within easy reach. In this way farm boys and girls would have the same opportunity for the use of good books as Lindburg [sic] or Edison or Henry Ford, who spend long hours in public libraries in preparation for their achievements.”

“Universities, schools and libraries are equally valuable as instruments of education. Those who are denied use of the first two may, if library service is extended throughout the state, make use of the third, which will be accessible to everyone.”

“Mrs. S. C. Barr in cooperation with the local and parish units of the Parent-Teacher Association, along with other civic organizations of the town and parish is conducting a movement to have a parish library located somewhere in this parish and our entire citizenry is urged to lend hearty cooperation, with our representative and senator also being urged to support the proposed measure.”

Bossier Parish’s library started in 1940 at the urging of the Bossier High School PTA as a demonstration library by the Louisiana Library Commission (now the State Library of Louisiana). It relied on library assistants from the Works Progress Administration, which was a Federal employment program created by the Franklin Roosevelt administration to pull the U.S. out of the Great Depression. Bossier had never had a public library except for some books donated to the courthouse for public use. The demonstration library allowed the parish to experience the benefits of a public library for a year-long trial period, after which the parish would choose to either abandon the program or take over the library by accepting the state’s books and equipment. The Police Jury voted almost unanimously to adopt the library on June 12, 1941. Although the war made the library very focal as a “War Information Center”, dedicated funding for the library was thwarted by World War II. It limped along financially until 1947 when it was funded with a tax specifically for the library system.

To find out about other Bossier Parish institutions, visit the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center.

Ann Middleton is Director of the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center. She can be reached at (318) 746-7717 or by e-mail at amiddlet@state.lib.la.us

Life - Bossier History

History of Banks Chapel

Tuesday, 14 May 2013 12:19 Ann Middleton

The Bossier Banner published a history of a small church in north Bossier Parish in its August 26, 1920 issue.

“Many readers of the Banner are familiar with the little white church known as Banks’ Chapel, situated beside the old Cottage Grove Cemetery, and the following historical sketch may prove interesting for a few of them:”

“During the year 1867, Rev. A. R. Banks, formerly of the Arkansas Ouachita Presbytery, took charge of the Rocky Mount Church, and about two years was duly called and installed [as] their pastor. As part of the congregation resided in the vicinity of Cottage Grove and Wright’s Chapel, an arrangement was made for Rev. Banks to preach twice a month at the latter place. During 1878 the church was moved to Collinsburg by the Methodist brethren, who claimed it, and thus left without a church, the congregation continued to hold services in the Cottage Grove Academy, which was kindly tendered for their use. They worshipped there until the new church was completed about a half mile from the site of Wright’s Chapel and the same distance from the site of Cottage Grove Academy, alongside the old Cottage Grove Cemetery and some fifty or eighty steps from the main road.”

“This church was organized June 19, 1880. The committee appointed by the Red River Presbytery consisted of Rev. W. C. Dunlap, Rev. A. R. Banks and Elder A. A. Lyon. They met at the Cottage Grove Church and, after a sermon appropriate to the occasion by Rev. Dunlap, proceeded with the organization. Thirty-four names were enrolled, most of them having been members of the Rocky Mount Church, but living nearer to Cottage Grove.”

“The Church was dedicated the following Sabbath—June 20, 1880. A dedication sermon

was preached by Rev. Dunlap and all the members sat down at the Lord’s table together. They had thirty-four members, a neat, new house of worship, entirely free of debt, and a flourishing Sunday school, all duly equipped for work in the Master’s vineyard.”

“A meeting of the congregation of Banks’ Chapel was called March 19, 1882 for the purpose of electing a pastor. A unanimous vote was given to Rev. Banks, who had served them several years, as stated. Mr. Banks accepted the call and the presbytery appointed a committee to install him over the congregation.”

“Rev. Banks served the church faithfully until August 24, 1887. He then asked for the congregation to join with him in a petition to the presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation. They reluctantly consented and had to give up their beloved pastor. The same date a congregational meeting was held for the purpose of securing another minister. Rev. McCarty’s name was presented and he was unanimously elected.”

“Long may the old Cottage Grove Church stand as a memorial to the devotion, zeal and piety, as well as the liberality of those who contributed of their means to its erection, and who meet with their children to worship God after the Presbyterian Faith and order.”

The Bossier Parish Library Historical Center has in its holdings the history of numerous churches, schools and businesses in Bossier Parish, so pay us a visit.

Ann Middleton is Director of the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center. She can be reached at (318) 746-7717 or by e-mail at amiddlet@state.lib.la.us