By Jessica Gorman
In October 1969, President Lyndon Baines Johnson made a visit to Minden. The occasion? The 125th anniversary of First Baptist Church.
First Baptist Church was founded in December 1844 as the Minden Baptist Church. Its first pastor was Rev. George Washington Baines. Rev. Baines was, at the time, already serving as pastor for at least two other churches, Rehoboth Baptist Church in Mt. Lebanon and Saline Baptist Church. He served a circuit of churches, rotating Sundays and had just recently helped establish the church at Saline in September 1844. Among the founding members of that church is my own ancestor, Isaac Rushing. It is through the records of the Old Saline Baptist Church that we are able to dispel a myth about George Washington Baines. It had been believed the he originally spelled his last name Bains and, only after leaving Louisiana, changed it to Baines. However, church records clearly spell his name Baines. In 1850, Rev. Baines moved to Texas where he later served as President of Baylor University from 1861-1863.
Rev. Baines was the great-grandfather of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Serving as the 36th President of the United States, he had recently completed his term in January 1969. As the church was planning its anniversary celebration, an invitation was extended to President and Mrs. Johnson which they accepted. A response was received in July. Addressed to Rev. Ronald Prince, it read:
“The First Baptist Church of Minden holds a special place in our hearts. Nothing would please Mrs. Johnson and me more than being with you for the 125th Anniversary Service. We are going to plan on it.
As things look now, Sunday, October twenty-sixth, would be the best time for us. We look forward to visiting the Church and to meeting you.
Thank you for asking us. We send our best wishes.”
The Johnsons impending visit drew much attention and it quickly became clear that measures would need to be in place to ensure that the church membership be guaranteed seating for the celebration service. The capacity of the sanctuary was 960. It is estimated that closer to 1000 attended the service that morning. When the Johnsons arrived, news crews, said to number anywhere from 50 to hundreds, were waiting outside the church along with those who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the former President.
The Shreveport Times reported on the immaculate appearance of Minden. This was not only indicative of Minden’s status as a “garden club town,” but also considered to honor Mrs. Johnson’s devotion to beautifying the country. “The lawns of residences on the oak shaded streets had been raked, mowed, and trimmed to almost perfect symmetry.”
The church did its best to honor President Johnson’s request that the service that morning be “just normal Sunday worship services.” He was presented a copy of the church history and, in turn, he expressed his gratitude to the church for honoring the contribution of his great-grandfather. After the morning’s service, the Johnson’s and other guests attended a luncheon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Walker.
Following the celebration, President Johnson wrote to Rev. Prince again.
“Mrs. Johnson and I can’t remember spending more pleasant hours. You did so much to make us feel welcome and to make our visit a wonderful success. Thank you for a beautiful, memorable day.
We feel richly blessed to have had the opportunity to worship with you and to have experienced your hospitality. We will always be grateful for your kindness and your friendship.”
(Jessica Gorman is Executive Director of the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Webster Parish Historian, and an avid genealogist.)