The Town of Kentwood Historical Museum Redevelopment Committee tour West Baton Rouge Museum

Kentwood Museum Historical Redevelopment Museum
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Kentwood Historical Museum Redevelopment recently visited West Baton Museum in Port Allen. The tour was attended by several members, including Irma T. Gordon, the Town of Kentwood, and others.  Our sincere thanks to Amanda Moak, Curator of Collections, and her staff for providing us with the tour and all the information about museum preservation. We were particularly impressed by the extensive collection of artifacts that showcased the rich region's history. The interactive exhibits provided an engaging experience, allowing us to explore West Baton's cultural heritage.

West Baton Parish was built on the sugarcane industry. The West Baton Rouge Museum is the only museum to preserve the history of sugar in Louisiana from the colonial period to the present day. We proceed to the plantation store and Juke Joint after watching a ten-minute documentary.  The site includes eight historic buildings. Although we didn't visit each building.

Monthly postcards containing all the monthly programs and events were equally impressive to me. You can find out more about the exhibitions during the Historical Happy Hour. The Historical Happy Hour is a monthly event that combines education with entertainment, offering visitors a chance to enjoy themed talks, live music, and refreshments while exploring the museum's exhibits. It's an excellent opportunity for history enthusiasts to engage with experts and learn more about specific topics related to the region's past. Attendees can socialize and network in a relaxed atmosphere, making it a popular gathering for both locals and tourists.

Ronald Harrell-President
Antoinette Harrell-Vice President
Kentwood Historical Museum Redevelopment Committee
Photo Credit: Connor Lacoste

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church
Photo Courtesy: Randy Konzelman

St. Elizabeth Church is no longer in Kentwood. I remember when they were moving the old beautiful structure. It was said that they took it to Amite, Louisiana. I'm not sure, that was said. It use to be located at 404 Avenue C, Kentwood, LA. According to churcheslist.com, it was the only Catholic Church in Kentwood. 

Orange Grove Church of God In Christ Church History

 

Orange Grove Church of God In Christ
Photo Courtesy of Mrs. Ellice Womack

In the years of Nineteen Hundred and Nineteen (1919), the first Church of God In Christ  in Kentwood was founded under he direction of the Holy Spirit by Evangelist and Sister Joshua Coleman and Elder Herbert Atkins. They conducted a revival and the Lord Move on the hearts of Sister Emma Carter, a past church mother and Emma Buckhalter, who once served as secretary, Emma Warren and Julia Fason who accepted Holiness at that time. 

Former pastors were Elder Soloman Baker, Seniors Lazard, who built and dedicated the fist Holy church here. Fred Cage and Dan Barnes. Others who served faithfully, Sister Malinda Bruce, Mattie Cook, Lula Carter, and Lela Hookfin, who served as deaconess and also church mother.  The oldest serving saints who served down through the years, Sisters Ellice Mae Buckhalter Womack, and Susie Marie Hookfin Gordon. Again, under the direction of the Holy Ghost, Elder Alonzo Richardson, Jr., and Sister Josephine Richardson were sent to be the humble servants here. 

The church has flourished under the dynamic leadership of Elder Richardson, and the leading of the Holy Ghost. In October 1970 this beautiful edifice was erected, and furnished with a piano and organ. This church at one time was called a she church. Since that time the membership has grown enormously. Five deacons were installed, Brother Charlie Womack, Brother Cain Wall, Brother Robert Ross, Brother Johnny McCray, Sr., and  Brother Sampson Dumans. Later Brother Theodore Dunn and Brother Jessie Brumfield were added to the board of deacons.

Three young men were called the ministry: Minister John Armstrong delivered his first sermon on March 12, 1978, Minister Jimmy Richardson, December 10, 1978, and Minister Robert Allen, January 14, 1979, and a missionary, Sister Barbara Jean Hookfin.

Two district meetings were held here, several auxiliary functions and vacation bible schools have been conducted. The first cornerstone in the history of the church was laid on April 26, 1981.  A bus was purchased September 21, 1981, which is used to transport person to Sunday School and church locally and to various meetings out of town.

An addition was made to the church on March of 1983. Other first time events were: purchasing and dedicating chores robes.  A back home worship service, recalling past services and records under the supervision of the Hookfin family. Last recording of this history, but by no means the least, a sacrificial feast for the saints, given by the pastor and his wife, Elder and Sister Richardson, with his family and friends assisting in the services.

Written and Submitted by Mrs. Ellice Womack

The History of Schilling Drug Company in Kentwood, LA

Schilling Drugs
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

In the small town of Osyka, Mississippi, three brothers were born and raised: Clyde Leroy, Frank Charles, and Henry Leonard Schilling.  It was in 1891 that Frank was born. In 1893, Clyde was born, and Leonard, affectionately called Eaph, in 1901.

Clyde worked in the Osyka Drug Store in 1908 as a soda clerk and a clean-up boy. He studied pharmacy at the Atlanta College of Pharmacy in Georgia for six grueling months and graduated in 1914. Frank, his brother, took the course and failed twice. Afterwards, he earned a degree in business administration. After attending college in Atlanta, Leonard received a degree from the college.

Clyde decided to expand his business into Kentwood. The two became business partners while Leonard served as their druggist.  There is no exact date, but many people recalled the early 1940s. In 1946, Leonard, Natalie, Bettye, and Fran moved to Kentwood and settled on Avenue H., a short distance from Main Street, where the drugstore is located.

The store was filled with beautiful cases which were originally built in the 1930s for a model drugstore. The wall shelving had inlaid wood carving with lots of glass. The high ceiling of the room was adorned with fans and lighting fixtures. Ice cream and cokes were served at marble top tables and wooden chairs. In the early days, Schilling Drug Co. had a soda fountain that the local shopper enjoyed.

Leonard carefully measured and weighed compounds and powder behind the prescription counter using an old manual typewriter and scales. He then mixed them in large mortar with a pestle. (You can still see the mortar and pestle at Schilling Drug today). After a family dispute, Clyde gave the store to Leonard in 1959. Leonard brought Natalie, Fran, and Bettye into the business.

Natalie sold the store in 1970 to her son-in-law and daughter, Harold and Betty Fussell. Schilling Drug Co. had operated on Main Street until 1977, when it moved to its new location on Avenue G. In an ironic twist of fate, all three brothers died within nine months of one another. Leonard passed away in June 1969.Frank died in March of 1970 and Clyde in January of 1970. In May of 1988, another member of their small family became a pharmacist.

Reprint from the "Schilling Drug Co." Kentwood Historical Cultural Museum

Town of Kentwood 2023 Inaugural Ceremony

Left to Right: Councilman Gary Callihan, Councilman Paul Stewart, 
Mayor Irma T. Gordon, Councilwoman Jakoiya Wilkerson, Councilman Xavier Diamond,
Councilman Micheal Hall
The Town of Kentwood
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

On December 31, 2022, the newly elected officials were sworn in. Irma T. Gordon has been elected mayor. In addition to her role as mayor, she served on the town council. Incumbent Rochell D. Bates pulled 49.4% of the votes, while she led by 50.6%. There was no doubt that the election was tight. 

Jakoiya Wikerson, Paul Stewart, and Michael Hall, newly elected town council members, were sworn in. Before the previous administration, both Michael Hall and Paul Stewart served on the town council. As members of the board, their experience of local government will be an asset. Council members Xavier Diamond and Gary Callihan were re-elected to serve another term. Michael Kazerooni, the current Chief of Police for the town, was unopposed in the election. 

Mayor Gordon seized the moment to speak about some of the issues she would address as mayor. She pointed out that she would be at City Hall on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 to start working. In addition, she stated that she would be available for all matters pertaining to town business affairs. She acknowledged her family, friends, and supporters.

The evening was moderated by former police chief James Rimes, followed by several local ministers and pastors. All elected officials pledged to uphold the laws, policies, and status that govern the town. Thursday, January 5, 2023 will be the first monthly meeting for this year and the new administration. 

As part of  her campaign promise, she promised to be very transparent and that city hall would be open to everyone. She said, "Yes, we should hold each other accountable." She promised to work with residents, businesses, and attract new businesses too Kentwood.