HISTORY OF LIFE CHURCH

Luling Assembly of God held it’s first service on March 28, 1954, in the American Legion Hall. Sunday school and church were held in the afternoon. Several months later the church moved into a tent on River Road. Mosquitoes were very bad that year so a light bulb was kept burning in the old upright piano to help keep the moisture out. That same year property was purchased on Highway 90 which had an old house on it. With the help of Reverend James Scroggins (1954-55), the house was converted into a church. Classes were taught in an old chicken house. Jettie May Tucker taught the primary class in the chicken house. Sometimes on a hot Sunday morning there would be a terrible stench in the church. Birds built their nest in the eves of the church and the babies died. Church still went on. The mosquitoes were terrible, and there was no air conditioning, so when rain came in through the windows they would have to be closed. Again, church still went on.

On August 16, 1955, Reverend H.E. Clark called a meeting to order, where membership cards were taken and the Constitution and By-Laws were adopted. The first deacons were: Jeffie Wilson and Joe McBlair ( 2 years) and Dan Tucker and Wallace Tucker (1 year). There were 18 original members.

On September 7, 1955, Reverend B.E. Kerr was elected as pastor and served until April 6, 1958.

On June 4, 1958, Reverend Carl Davis of Liberty, TX was elected pastor. In January 1959, under Reverend Davis’ pastorate, construction of the first parsonage began. The total loan amount for the building of the parsonage was $6,800.00. The men and women of the church put much hard work into this project. In April 1959, Reverend Davis and his family moved in.

In December 1959 Men’s Fellowship was organized and meetings were held on Sunday evenings before service.

In May 1962 after much growth both spiritually and physically, Reverend Davis moved on.

Reverend Tommy Wilborn was voted in June 3, 1962, He and his family moved into the parsonage on June 28, 1962. In February 1963, Brother Wilborn presented to the church the need for additional facilities. With approval, Walter Dufrene was the leading carpenter at a rate of $2.25 an hour. Malcolm Martin agreed to wire the church at cost of the wire. The work began. The men put in long hours every day at their regular jobs, and then went straight to the church to work. A lot of sacrifice was made physically and financially. Due to the long exhausting hours, two of the beams were put in the wrong place. It was raining and cold outside but the men continued to work to correct the error and finished around 2 a.m. that morning. On April 24, 1964, dedication services were held in the old auditorium. Brother Tee Loveless gave a report on the history of the church. Afterwards Brother & Sister Wilborn led the way to the new building. Sheriff Leon Vial cut the ribbon opening the way to the new auditorium. Mr. Vial spoke on the responsibilities of the church in the community. Brother Ashbrook preached a dedication message. Melvin Powell gave the dedication prayer. Renovations then began on the old church for Sunday school rooms, Children’s Church, and space for Vacation Bible School.

On May 27, 1964, Louise Tucker became the first C.A. (Youth) Leader. Since that time, the youth have grown under many leaders including Andy McCrory, Roland Kratz, Rodney Shipman, David Pitchford, Jim Janzen, Bill Benson, Tony Putman, Corey Hicks and Philip Babineaux.

Hurricane Betsy hit this area with a strong force in September 1964. Brother Wilborn didn’t want to leave, so he suggested for all to stay in the church. There were several families that stayed that night. What an experience!! Kids slept on the pews and floor and men and women stayed up all night. As the wind pushed the rain under the side doors, the women continually mopped it up. The wind would change direction and the rain would come in under the other side doors. The men put a large plate glass window in front of the building to keep the rain out. There was a sudden loud crash. Everyone had to wait for the eye of the storm to pass before they could go out and see what happened. To everyone’s amazement, the wind pulled the window outside. No glass or water in the foyer. There were many prayers that night, and God blessed and kept everyone safe. The church and the family’s homes only acquired minor damage. It truly was a night of miracles.



Reverend T.L. Wilborn resigned on May 14, 1967
On May 24, 1967, Reverend Paul Young was voted in.

The Missionettes program was introduced in 1969. Regina Broach and Judy Cornwell were the first two teachers.

One year later in 1970, the Royal Rangers program began.

On October 18, 1970 Reverend Paul Young resigned. Until another pastor was elected, Bro. Dan Flanagan ministered from the pulpit.

Reverend F.C. Chamberlain accepted the position as pastor on November 15, 1970.

On November 9, 1974, the Mortgage Burning Service was held, 10 years after the building of the church. Brother Waldon and Brother Allen were present for the service. This cleared the church of all indebtedness.
Brother Chamberlain and the board met with Mr. Prejean and Charles Leguard (lawyer), to sign papers on the purchase of the Prejean property. This is where the parking lot is now on the east side of the building. Mr. Prejean decided not to sell. Brother Chamberlain and members of the board went to see Mr. Prejean to ask why he had changed his mind. Mr. Prejean decided to sell the property only if the church allowed his mother to continue to live there until her death. The board agreed to his request. Mr. Prejean only wanted $5,000.00 a year until the land was paid for (which was $25,000.00). The church was in agreement and the papers were drawn up and signed by the board on May 7, 1975.

In June of 1975, Brother Chamberlain introduced plans for a new educational annex. He proposed to borrow $75,000.00 for the project and was approved by the board. On July 7, 1975 the church received the property from Mrs. Lionel Prejean and work began on the educational building. Under Brother Chamberlain’s leadership and with much effort and sacrifice from the church people, the Educational Annex was completed and dedicated on March 14, 1976. The old building was then torn down to make way for a much needed parking lot.

On June 3, 1977 Brother Chamberlain announced his plans for retirement. On August 14, 1977 he preached his farewell sermon. A reception was held that afternoon in his honor.

On June 19, 1977 Reverend David Reddout was voted in, but didn’t arrive until September.

On May 26, 1978, Becky Autore was put on staff as the first church secretary.

1981 was a big year for the church. The name of the church was officially changed from Luling Assembly of God to Boutte Assembly of God. Also, the house on the Prejean property was moved adding more parking area. Boutte Christian Academy started its first Kindergarten Class.

In the early 80’s, a house on Breaux Street was purchased and was used as rental property for a while. Then in the 90’s it was sold and moved off the property making way for trailer space for the school.

Reverend David Reddout resigned in October 1981 and Reverend David Edenfield was elected in January 1982, He pastored until May 26, 1985.

Reverend Bob Willis became pastor on July 7, 1985.
In 1986, Linda Davis became principal of the elementary school.
In 1987, the church purchased the house on 90 Bernice Drive for the parsonage.
On May 1, 1994, Rudy Wilborn’s house was purchased to use as the Youth Parsonage.

On October 16, 1994 Brother Willis resigned and in December 1994, Reverend Steve Marze was voted in as pastor. Much has been accomplished under Brother Marzes’ pastorate. In August 1995, all parking surrounding the church was paved. On July 31, 1996, “Lot C” at the end of Breaux Street was purchased. In August 1997 the platform was renovated. The foyer was also renovated in May 1998. In November 1999, the Student Life Center was purchased, which is currently used by Lifeline Student Ministries. In January of 2004, the Hackman building was purchased, which is currently used for Lifesavers Kids Church and Bible Studies. The most recent purchase was the lot behind the Iron Gate restaurant, which was purchased on March 18, 2009.

On May 28 2009, the church again changed its name from Boutte Assembly of God to Life Church. The change was made in order to reflect more accurately the purpose of the church in the community.

We have had several of our young people to go into the ministry:
Ronnie Tucker – Missouri
Bobby McCloud – Montana
Bo Nicholson – Louisiana
Pauletta McBlair Beaver – Texas
Sandy Cazabat – Minister of Music, Louisiana
Philip Babineaux - Louisiana
Ryan Post – Evangelist, Louisiana
Adam Babineaux – The Call, Missouri
Brianne Childress – Missionary, South Africa


Life Church has been a fruitful church for over 57 years. While there have been obstacles along the way, God has seen and will continue to see His church and His people through it all.