Our History
It was during the reconstruction period the Ninth Missionary Baptist Church was founded. The south had been broken by war. Land was devastated. Proud plantations were now mere wrecks. Billions of economic value in slaves had been wiped away by emancipation measures. Difficult social problems presented themselves in the sudden elevation of servile race to the status of free laborers and enfranchised citizens.
March 1, 1873, marked the founding of Ninth Missionary Baptist Church, situated in its genesis on the corner of Lincoln Road and 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 virtures of uncleasing 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
NBC History Poem penned in 2020 and presented at the 147th year church anniversary.
God saw a need to plant a seed in the community of Ville Platte,
Most time when we travel, Folks ask us where that’s at
But James Stephens answered the call,
A call that has me gathered today with you all
They called the place the Ninth Home Mission Baptist Church you see
A place that we now call home for you and me
These Negros were poor and yet they still grew God’s church through the storm
They created a place in the community where worship became the norm
During that time Negros were viewed as less than, property and even dirt
Yet they showed up and showed out anyway and endured a lot of hurt.
Napoleon Thomas took over after James Stephens in sharing God’s glory
And then later passed to torch to Edgar Hudson to continue to tell the story
The story that gives us all redemption, freedom and access to eternal life
A life that is endless once we finish dealing with this earthly strife
Edgar Hudson handed the torch to Willie C Frank
They said that little giant gave God all he had in his tank
In the midst of the civil rights movement another giant stepped to the plate
Melvin Leon Thomas took the reins and it wasn’t a second too late
The spiritual body of our church needed a new home
So this Giant made sure to build an edifice to honor the King on the throne
After 45 years of building God’s church M.L Thomas followed the call to pass on the torch,
And fortunately for us God didn’t make us look past the front porch
A quiet giant stepped into position to lead
And God’s plan for us didn’t take long to gather speed
We are 11 years into this ride with Darwan T. Lazard you see,
A ride that continues to grow on the shoulders of the giants before us indeed
Our Giant leads in both the church and the community and he’s forever humble
He’s always there no matter what , even we when all stumble.
So today we celebrate the journey thus far and what’s to come
We rejoice because even though we don’t know the future, we know the ONE
The One that has carried us for a 147 years,
Through many blood, sweat, heartache and tears
Happy Birthday Ninth Baptist Church and as you celebrate today,
May all the praises be to God for showing us the way!