History | Ninth Baptist Church

Our History

It was during the American reconstruction period (1865-1877), following the U.S. Civil War (1860-1865), when the Ninth Home Mission Baptist Church was founded. The Southern States have been broken by war and lands were devastated. Proud plantations were now mere wrecks and billions of economic value in slaves had been wiped away by the union victory and other emancipation measures. Difficult social problems presented themselves in the sudden elevation of the servile race to the status of free laborers and enfranchised citizens.

The vast majority of the Negroes in the South prior to the Civil War had been deprived of formal education; however, it is very significant to know that during this period, one of the first freedoms the negroes aspired to exercise was freedom of religion. They believed a church is God's supreme agency in the world through which his love is revealed and his grace is made known.

In November 1872, a gentleman by the name of Richard James agreed to purchase sixty-six (66) arpents (equal to 65.91 acres) of land for one hundred fifty dollars ($150) from the Latour family of Ville Platte for the purpose of establishing a congregation to be known as the Ninth Home Mission Baptist Church. Richard James signed a land purchase agreement and paid seventy-five ($75) in November 1872, with the understanding that the balance must be paid-in-full within 12-months. By the grace of God, the balance of seventy-five dollars ($75) was paid in full on March 1, 1873, which marked the founding of the Ninth Home Mission Baptist Church.

The Ninth Home Mission Baptist Church, which was most often affectionately called “Ninth Baptist” by locals, obtained its name by being the ninth black baptist church established in the imperial Saint Landry Parish of Louisiana. During this particular era, Evangeline Parish, which was not created until 1911, was a part of the imperial Saint Landry Parish, Louisiana.

The first African-American Missionary Baptist Church established west of the Mississippi River was the Saint James (Colored) Baptist Church, established in November 1812 in the Bayou Chicot community, located northwest of Ville Platte, La., under the leadership of Rev. Joseph Willis, who was a missionary and church-planter from South Carolina. Rev. Willis, who was half-Cherokee Indian and well-known for his swarthy (dark) skin color, is also credited with establishing Calvary Baptist (Caucasian) Church of Bayou Chicot in 1812. The Saint James Baptist Church is the oldest black Baptist church west of the Mississippi River and is still active. The Saint James Baptist Church celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2012 and Pastor Darwan Lazard, accompanied by the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church, was one of the special guest speakers.

Several other African-American Missionary Baptist Churches were established in Saint Landry Parish after the Saint James Baptist Church and before the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church. The churches were:

2. Mount Pleasant Baptist Church of Elba Community (near Melville, LA) (Estd. Between 1814-1817)

3. Zion Travelers Baptist Church of Sunset, La (1840)

4. True Vine Missionary Baptist Church in the Grand Prairie community, Washington, La., under the leadership of Rev. Vernerve Redeau (1860)

5. Saint Joseph Baptist Church, Dubission community, Washington, La (1860s)

6. Opelousas African (Little Zion Missionary) Baptist Church of Opelousas, La, Rev. J. P. Davenport (June 29, 1867)

7. Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Washington, La., under the leadership of Rev. A.G. Jackson (1871)

8. Mount Zion Baptist Church, Whiteville community, Washington, La (1872)

March 1, 1873, marked the founding of Ninth Missionary Baptist Church, situated in its genesis on the corner of East Lincoln Road and North Latour Street, Ville Platte, LA. Rev. James Stephens, a native of Mamou, LA, and a preacher with no formal education, was the founder of the church. Along with Rev. Stephens, there were a few men who possessed vital Christian virtues of unceasing faith, love, and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, who are to be credited with this religious milestone. These men were known as the first deacons of the church: Louis Joseph, Emile Arvie, Peter Mitchell, John Joseph, Batiste Tezeno, Lastie Skinner, Francis Fontenot, Zeno Ardoin, and Octave Joseph.

Rev. James Stephens served as Pastor of the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church for fifteen (15) years, 1873-1885. He will always be remembered as having a vision of the future and the love of God in his heart. Rev. Stephens fought for public education and, because of his sincere devotion toward God and love for his fellow man, James Stephens High school was named in honor of this great religious leader. (The school is now known as James Stephen Montessori School).

Rev. Napoleon Thomas, a native of the Tate Cove community located northeast of Ville Platte, La., succeeded Rev. James Stephens. There was steady growth in the membership of the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Napoleon Thomas, even though the economic status of the African-Americans was very low, and the ways and means of transportation created hardships for the Negroes during that particular era. Similar church programs and activities under the leadership of Rev. Napoleon Thomas were carried over from his predecessor.

Rev. Napoleon Thomas served as Pastor for about 12 years from 1888-1900. He too, left with his followers a monumental symbol of love, hope, and faith in the almighty God.

After the passing of Rev. Napoleon Thomas, Rev. Edgar Hudson became Pastor of the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Hudson, a local minister with advanced informal education, was a dynamic preacher. Under his leadership, the organizational pattern of the church was changed to promote greater participation by the members, both old and young. A church choir was organized, the Sunday School Department became a part of the District of Churches, and the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church became affiliated with other activities on the District and State levels. Rev. Hudson served as Pastor from 1900-1930.

After the passing of Rev. Edgar Hudson in December 1929, Rev. Willie C. Frank, a little giant of his own time, a hero in the master's army, was called to minister to this great Christian flock in 1930. Rev. Willie C. Frank, also a native of the Ville Platte community and a self-developed man, invested his life, his love, his money, his service, and influence for his community and the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church. The congregation continued to grow and develop under Rev. Frank’s administration. During September of 1963, after a fruitful 33-year ministry, Rev. Willie C. Frank was called to eternal rest.

In the Autumn of 1963, another son of Ville Platte, Rev. Melvin Leon Thomas, at the age of 40, was called to the pastorate of the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Melvin Leon Thomas, was an educator, leader, and builder. His philosophy was that every member in the church should be active.

One of the great visions of Rev. M. L. Thomas was to build a house of worship huge enough to hold a growing membership. With a motivated, determined, and a hard-working congregation, he was able to fulfill that dream on July 1, 1971, when ground-breaking ceremonies began the construction of the new colossal structure. The construction of this building was done under the leadership of Mr. Russell Deshotel (a member of the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church) of Ville Platte, Head Carpenter, Mr. Paul Arvie (a deacon of the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church) of Ville Platte, and Mr. Edward Johnson of Oakdale, La, Assistant Carpenter.

The newly constructed Ninth Missionary Baptist Church, located at the intersection of North Latour and East Long Street, Ville Platte, LA., became a reality in January 1972, as a tribute to the dedicated Pastor and a courageous congregation that worked untiringly for its completion.

In 1972, the church was appraised for a quarter of a million dollars ($250,000.00) with a seating capacity of about 1,300 members and over 10,000 square feet of space. The Education Department, uniquely built around the sanctuary, was designed for religious instruction with the intent of conducting activities in the Sanctuary and the Educational Department simultaneously without interfering with the other.

In 1980, a note burning ceremony was held in recognition of the church being debt free. Also in 1980, the church gave birth to Gabriel Villa, Inc. which was designed to provide quality affordable housing to low income families and individuals. Gabriel Villa was created by Rev. M.L. Thomas and Deacon Chairman Olenes “Pop” Vidrine.

In 2006, the church acquired another new van and embarked upon a new ministry. The Technology Ministry was established to further spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A sacrificial investment of over $40,000.00 was made by the congregation to purchase the van, a state-of-the-art public address system, a LCD projector, and an automated theater-size projection screen. Bro. Rogers Thomas, Sr., led the committee which researched the public address system aspect of the project. Bro. Alfred Thomas and Bro. Joseph D. Thomas gave leadership to the committee charged with acquiring a new van. A new computer was needed to fully utilize the new projector and screen. Bro. Joseph D. Thomas led the effort to obtain funds to purchase a high-powered desktop computer. Rev. Darwan Lazard provided leadership to the technology committee.

During the tenue of Pastor Thomas, the church was blessed with leadership and vision supporting people. The church continued to grow spiritually, numerically, and financially.

The year 2007 was marked by continued growth and development. In December 2007, Pastor Thomas shocked and surprised many when he announced that he planned to retire after more than four (4) decades of successful pastoring. Pastor Thomas appointed a transition committee that was charged primarily with recommending to the membership, a successor for Pastor Thomas.

After prayerful consideration, the transition committee nominated Reverend Darwan Travenski Lazard, a native of the church, to succeed Rev. Thomas as Pastor of the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church. The transition committee members were: Bro. Alfred Thomas, Sis. Jane E. Smith, Bro. Joseph D. Thomas, Sis. Annie Lee Vidrine Thomas, Bro. Yolen Lemalle, Sr., and Bro. Yves Wilson. Under the watchful eye of Pastor M.L. Thomas, on Sunday, June 1, 2008, Rev. Lazard, by unanimous vote of the church membership, was named the sixth Pastor in the history of the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church. Certainly, Pastor Lazard was no stranger to this church, since he was born, dedicated as a baby, baptized, married, preached his first sermon, ordained, and installed as Pastor, all at the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Lazard declared that he was humbled, honored, and happy to be chosen by God and the membership to succeed the legendary Pastor, Rev. M.L. Thomas. Pastor Lazard expressed that Rev. Thomas was the only Pastor he had in his lifetime. Rev. Thomas announced that even though he had been Rev. Lazard’s Pastor for many years, now Rev. Lazard would become his Pastor. On Sunday, August 17, 2008, Rev. Thomas preached his last sermon as Pastor of the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church.

On Saturday, November 1, 2008, after months of smooth transitioning, Rev. Darwan Lazard was installed as Pastor in an historic ceremony deemed as “The Changing of the Guards.” The ceremony also served as a retirement celebration for Rev. M.L. Thomas, who served as Pastor of the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church for 45 years and the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church for 62 years. Rev. Mekell Vondress Toussaint was also installed as Pastor of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church during the ceremony. Both Rev. Lazard and Rev. Toussaint were installed as Pastors by the outgoing Pastor, Rev. M.L. Thomas.

The President of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., The Rev. Stephen John Thurston of Chicago, Illinois preached the installation sermon. The President of the Louisiana Home and Foreign Missions Baptist State Convention, Inc., The Rev. Samuel C. Tolbert, Jr., of Lake Charles presided over the program. The Moderator of the Eastern Seventh District Missionary Baptist Association of Churches, The Rev. Eradly Ben, Sr., of Ville Platte, offered the Installation prayer as Pastors from across the State of Louisiana and beyond, joined Rev. M.L. Thomas to lay hands and encircle both new Pastors.

During the administration of Pastor Lazard, the church has continued to advance and make progress. The church has undergone $500 thousand renovation and upgrades since 2009. The following ministries/entities were established: Sunshine Choir, Greeters, Prayer and Praise Ministry, Sisters with Anointed Goals (S.W.A.G.), Young Adult Ministry (YAM), Young at Heart Ministry (YAH), Disciples Reaching Every Aspiring Member (D.R.E.A.M. Millennials), Inspirational Choir, Unspoken Worship, Food Bank, Revelation Outreach (501c3), and Grind Time Academy.

Despite the worldwide pandemic’s negative impact on the faith community, the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church has continued to move onward, upward and forward. The church invested in technology needed to establish a virtual church component of Ninth Missionary Baptist Church.

The church also constructed a new facility to have its administrative operations, which can serve as a shelter for hurricane evacuees. The new facility has a kitchen, bathrooms with showers and space for cots/sleeping bags, etc.

The Ninth Missionary Baptist Church and Pastor Lazard maintain active memberships accordingly:

National Baptist Convention of America, International, Inc., where Pastor Lazard serves as Parliamentarian.
Louisiana Home & Foreign Missions Baptist Convention, Inc., where Pastor Lazard serves as First Vice President.
Eastern Seventh District Baptist Association, where Pastor Lazard serves as Congress President.
Southwest Missionary Baptist Association, where Pastor Lazard serves as Congress Dean and Vice President-elect.

Not only is Ninth Missionary Baptist Church active in the community, but Pastor Lazard has served as Superintendent of Schools for Evangeline Parish School District since January 1, 2017.

The Ninth Missionary Baptist Church continues to write new history every day and, by the Power of God, she will continue to impact the kingdom for generations to come. May God continue blessing the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church always!