Highland Church of God in Christ, Mennonite (DeRidder, Louisiana, USA)
The Highland Church of God in Christ, Mennonite congregation south of DeRidder, Louisiana, USA was established in 1937. The congregation began when families from Texas sought cheap land away from the dust storms they were experiencing in those years. The available land they moved to in Louisiana was deforested and undeveloped. Noah Schmidt was the first to move in June 1937 to the area south of DeRidder that became known as the Mennonite Settlement. Six other families arrived that same year, including minister F. C. Fricke.
The first worship service, held on 29 August 1937, was in Albert Smith's home. Early in 1938, the congregation began to use the Broadland Community Building. The congregation built a church in 1948/49 with the first service held on 22 May 1949. Sunday school rooms were added in 1964. A new church building was completed in April 1974. The old building was removed and the former Sunday school rooms converted to a fellowship hall.
In 2000 because of increasing size, Highland launched a daughter congregation east of DeRidder known as the Southern Magnolia Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.
The congregation built the Whispering Pines Christian School in 1977. Classrooms were added in 1980 and 1999.
In 2020 the congregation was part of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. The ministers were Kevin Schmidt and Larry Schmidt.
Bibliography
Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. Yearbook (1996-2020).
Histories of the congregations. 3rd. ed. Moundridge, Kansas: Gospel Publishers, 1999: 350-352.
Additional Information
Address: 171 Mennonite Church Loop, DeRidder, Louisiana 70634
Phone: 337-463-9447
Website:
Denominational Affiliations:
Church of God in Christ, Mennonite
Ordained Pastors at the Highland Church of God in Christ, Mennonite Church
| Name | Years of Service |
|---|---|
| Frederick C. Fricke (1867-1947) | 1937-1942 |
| Peter W. Decker (1885-1972) | 1937-1960s? |
| Abraham T. Koehn (1893-1975) | 1951-1953 |
| Chester L. Johnson (1924-2019) | 1953-2000 |
| Orie Schmidt (1930-2013) | 1961-2007 |
| Chester L. Esau | 1975-1990 |
| Duane Smith | 1989-2000 |
| Larry Schmidt | 1996-present |
| Kevin Schmidt | 2011-present |
Membership at HIghland Church of God in Christ, Mennonite Church
| Year | Membership |
|---|---|
| 1949 | 60 |
| 1955 | 105 |
| 1995 | 221 |
| 2000 | 238 |
| 2010 | 140 |
| 2020 | 183 |
Original Mennonite Encyclopedia Article
By Albert Smith. Copied by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 2, p. 740. All rights reserved.
The Highland Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, Church, organized in 1937, is located eight miles south of DeRidder, Beauregard Parish, Louisiana. The church had a membership of 105 and a Sunday-school enrolment of 140 in 1955. Weekly Sunday-school and worship services are held. P. W. Decker was the minister in charge in 1955, assisted by Chester Johnson.
| Author(s) | Samuel J Steiner |
|---|---|
| Date Published | January 2021 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Steiner, Samuel J. "Highland Church of God in Christ, Mennonite (DeRidder, Louisiana, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. January 2021. Web. 23 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Highland_Church_of_God_in_Christ,_Mennonite_(DeRidder,_Louisiana,_USA)&oldid=170203.
APA style
Steiner, Samuel J. (January 2021). Highland Church of God in Christ, Mennonite (DeRidder, Louisiana, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 23 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Highland_Church_of_God_in_Christ,_Mennonite_(DeRidder,_Louisiana,_USA)&oldid=170203.
©1996-2024 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.