Hello,

Can anyone tell me the names of some of the older churches in Union Parish, La? Particularly any that would be near to Point, La.

An ancestor, Samuel Gathright Strozier joined Mars Hill Methodist Episcopal Church by "Letter" in 1867. He had lived in that area at least since 1861. So, he had to have belonged to a church before Mars Hill, but I have not been able to find out which one.

I am not geographically savvy with where things are in Union Parish, La. I did find a map online and printed it off. But, it does not list a lot of the place names that I have found associated with different churches and cemeteries. And much of what I have found does not state the date the church or cemetery was started.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you

A Guide to Church Records in Louisiana 1720-1975
Rev Donald Hebert [1975]

I didn't see Mars Hill Church listed, did you try to google for more info and location?
There are a few Methodist Churchs in Union Parish from 1848 to -----[name of church may have changed?].
most say Farmersvile, Marion, Bernice, Downsville, Lillie
alot of the church registers [births/marriags/deaths] are in private hands
Don't know if any of them are published in genea. society publications or online.
Good luck in your search

came across this on google:

CHURCH RECORD PROJECT not complete
http://www.usgwarchives.net/church/la.html

Cemeteris and Churches ETC Union Parish
http://files.usgwarchives.org/la/union/history/uplaplacename...


http://www.censusfinder.com/louisiana-census-records-7.htm

Thank you so much for the reply.

I will look at those sites. Ward 5, which is where they lived according to the census data, has Downsville for the P. O.

Some of the family I have been able to trace through legal land descriptions and excellent maps on the Union Parish genweb site. But, Samuel G Strozier's land according to the BLM/GLO site falls in Lincoln Parish. Says he got the patent in May 1861, and was living in Union Parish when he got it. Now, I know that he would still show in Union for the 1860 and 1870 census, but after that Lincoln Parish was formed and he should show in Lincoln if he was living on that land. But, he still shows in Union in 1880 and 1900, and it appears if not in the same place, at least in the same area as he is always in Ward 5, Downsville P. O. So, with him I do not have a platte to look at to determine his exact whereabouts.

I know he was the postmaster at Mars Hill from 1874-1877, when the Mars Hill Post Office was permanently closed. And I know the Mars Hill Methodist Episcopal Church is near to Point, La. as I have been there several years ago. So, have had to use those as my guide on where to look for a church pre 1867 that he might have belonged to.

My problem has been that I am not familiar with where some of the towns are. Using a map is the only way I know to tell if a town is close. Most of the churches I have found either don't tell the year they were constituted, or they don't tell enough about where they are for me to be able to find them on a map.There are numerous cemeteries listed on the Union Parish Genweb site. But, with my limited knowledge of Union Parish, I have not been able to find where they are. The directions to the cemeteries and churches is just not user friendly for someone not familiar with the roads in the area.

For me, finding that church is important due to the fact that there should be a cemetery nearby or affiliated with it, and possibly there is something in the church minutes that will help to find out where 8 people in the family that died from 1861-1866 are buried. 7 of those were children, and they all died in 1866 before Samuel G. became a member at Mars Hill.

Between Feb 13,1866 and March 17,1866. Samuel G. Strozier and his second wife, Martha A. Wells had 7 children die of some illness that I have not been able to track down. The children ranged in age from 7 months to 12 years. And, Samuel G's first wife died in 1861, and should be buried at the same cemetery. Since I am almost positive that none of them have markers, tracking down the church and the cemetery is the only way to find out where they are buried. And something as catastrophic as 7 children dying in a little over a month should cause something to be recorded in the Church Minutes.

Again, thank you for your reply. I will definitely look into those sites.

Point Assembly of God is one. Seems there is one right there in point (dont remember the name.) send me your info. name and address. Next time I go I will look. Not, much to Point.

Thank you so much.

The ancestors that lived in Point, La. were:

Samuel G. Strozier 1822-1902
Louisa (Lou) Strozier 1819-1861
Martha Wells Strozier 1829-1871
John Anthony ???-1870
Mary Wells Anthony 1831-1903
Abner Fletcher Wells ???-1868
Martha A. " Fannie" Horton Wells ???-1865
Benjamin Impson ???- abt 1860

The 7 children that died were:
William F. Impson 1854-1866
Martha M Impson 1855-1866
Sarah E. Impson 1857-1866
Benjamin W. Impson 1859-1866
Emma Louise Strozier 1862-1866
Theofalas Strozier 1865-1866
Theodore Strozier 1865-1866
They all died between Feb 13 and March 17, 1866. Theodore and Theofalas were twins. They were all the children of Martha Wells Impson Strozier. The Strozier children belonged to S.G. Strozier.

The adult that died was Louisa Woodson Strozier and she died about Jan 1861.

A lot of the data I have for Samuel G.(S.G.)Strozier uses only his initials and the same for Abner Fletcher (A.F.)Wells.

I would rather not post my mailing address on this forum. but, will send it to you in an email. My email address is:
sulkie2@msn.com

Please put genealogy or something in the subject so I will know it is not junk mail.

Again, I thank you. If there is anything else you need please let me know. I know absolutely nothing about that area. I live over three hours from there, so is difficult to get up there to search for records. My eyes are not as good as they used to be, so don't like risking having a 6 hr drive in one day.

I appreciate your help.