Henning Memorial United Methodist  Church

1885 marks the construction of the first house of worship in the area of Sulphur.  John T. Henning and two other men constructed the Methodist Episcopal Church South in Kleinpeter’s Square, or Block A.  Its approximate location today would be behind the City of Sulphur’s Utilities department, across the street from the new city hall. 

This property was sold in 1892, and the church was rebuilt in Block T, the location that Henning Memorial United Methodist Church still occupies today.  This original church building came to be known as the “Little Black Church,” due to its weather-beaten appearance.  The new church seated approximately 50, and cost around $600 to build.  Construction was completed with J.T. Henning and J.B. Parsons doing all the carpenter work themselves. 

In the 1918 hurricane, the “Little Black Church” was destroyed, leaving only the church bell.  The church was rebuilt in 1919, and has continued to grow and expand in the same location throughout the years.

First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church of Sulphur organized in 1906, with Rev. Busch as pastor.  The congregation met for Sunday School in a two-room wooden building for a few weeks and then moved a room in the Hardy Vincent building until the building was destroyed in a major fire in 1918.

The first sanctuary was constructed in 1907, and was located on the northwest corner of Frasch Elementary School’s modern campus.  The sanctuary was destroyed by the 1918 hurricane, but lumber from the destroyed building was used to construct a temporary tabernacle.  A brick building was constructed in 1920 at the northwest corner of the church’s existing property.  Since that time, may expansions to the property have occurred, including educational annexes, a fellowship hall, a prayer room, and a new sanctuary.   At the time of this writing (2014), the church occupies the Perkins House, built by D.S. Perkins, which currently serves as its administration building.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor

Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church constructed its first building in 1907.  The original building was destroyed in the hurricane of 1918.  The church was rebuilt in 1922, on the corner of Cypress and Huntington Streets.  The church operated at that location until 1985, when the congregation moved to its present location on Cypress Street.  The old church building now serves as the city courthouse, as of the city’s Centennial in 2014.

Pleasant Green Baptist Church

Pleasant Green Baptist Church was established in 1903, thanks to the efforts of Rev. Eugene Esclovon, Sr., and his daughter, Mrs. Minnie E. Morrow.  The Reverend and his daughter constructed a brush arbor (a type of gazebo) for church meeting across from his home.  Deacons from Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Mossville assisted with the first services.  The first three members were former members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church:  Eugene Esclovon (who later became a minister), Bud Johnson, and Ellen Simmons.

In 1905, the first church building was moved onto land donated to the “Fourth Colored Baptist Church” by Mrs. Ellen Pujo, mother-in-law to Rev. Eugene Esclovon.  The land was east of Hwy 27 on the north side of the Southern Pacific Railroad.  An old house was moved onto the property and renovated so that it could serve as the church’s first sanctuary.

In 1907, the church was initially planning to be named “Evergreen Baptist Church,” but church officials discovered that a church in Lake Charles already held that name.  The church in Sulphur then organized and was formally named “Pleasant Green Baptist Church.”  Like many other buildings in town, the church was destroyed in the storm of 1918, and was rebuilt by Rev. Moffat.  A few years later, land was donated at the Elm St. location by Mrs. Letitia Lock Paret, and the building was moved.

A new sanctuary was constructed in 1950 under the direction of Rev. William Miller.  The new building was remodeled in 1972 with a brick exterior and paneled interior.  Using funds from the sale of the original land donated by Mrs. Pujo, tile was also added to the new annex.  The sanctuary was completely outfitted with new furnishings in 1977.  Through several relocations and expansions, the church was still active as of the city’s Centennial Celebration in 2014.