Church Beginnings

It all began 121 years ago when Col. and Mrs. Louis Fuller Marbury issued an invitation to Bishop Davis Sessums to preach at the Louisiana Chautauqua. The Louisiana Chautauqua, located a few miles north of Ruston on what was later known as Toma Lodge, was a corporation for literary, educational, and scientific purposes. Thus what was a simple sermon would result in an Episcopal Church in Ruston, Louisiana.

What is now the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer had its beginnings in the home of Mrs. W. M. Arnold on August 5, 1902, when fifteen women organized the St. Mary's Guild, the purpose of which was to forward an interest in the church. These fifteen women -- Mrs. Mary Ann Marbury Slaughter, Mrs. W. R. Lyman, Mrs. E. C. Moncure, Mrs. Lou Slaughter Flournoy, Mrs. L. F. Marbury, Mrs. W. M. Arnold, Mrs. Daisy Griswold, Mrs. Stephen E. Dillon, Miss Helen Colbert, Miss Helen Marbury, Mrs. J. L Perkins, Mrs. J. C. Place, Mrs. W. H. Quigg, Mrs. S. M. Burgess, and Mrs. Mattie Colbert -- immediately undertook a fund drive, which would enable them to build a church. A parcel of land on the corner of Bonner Street and Alabama Avenue was purchased in December 1904. In 1911, the cornerstone was laid for the first Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, just in time for the May wedding of Miss Helen Marbury to the Reverend Reginald Irving Raymond, one of several priests who served this early struggling mission.

The early church struggled, having only occasional services. In the 1920’s, cracks begin to appear in the walls and foundation. It was soon discovered that the building stood on quicksand. Attempts to save the building over the years failed and the lot and building were sold in 1942. All that remains are the four stained glass windows, which are in the library and hall of the current church offices. For the next six years, a small group of people met in private homes and on the Louisiana Tech campus. In 1948 the Reverend Robert E. Ratelle was appointed the Episcopal Chaplain to Louisiana Tech. By January 26, 1949, Redeemer was reorganized as a mission of the Diocese of Louisiana.

Tech Drive Location

In the 1940’s the Diocese of Louisiana undertook a project called the “Victory Fund Campaign” to raise money for the construction of college student centers and the Episcopal Youth Center at Camp Hardtner. With the help of these funds, in July 1949 ground was broken for a new all-purpose building at 504 Tech Drive. This new student center was officially dedicated on Sunday, May 12, 1950 under the direction of the Bishop Girault M. Jones. In January 1954 the Diocese granted mission status to the Church of the Redeemer, and the Fr. Ratelle became its first rector. The education building was built in 1958. Five years later, in 1963, the cornerstone for the new sanctuary was laid and it was dedicated on December 10, 1963. By April 28, 1974, the loan was paid in full. The church, looking to the future, purchased additional land in 1982. Extensive renovations to the Parish Hall and a wing for new offices was completed in 1984 and dedicated to the glory of God in 1985 with the naming of the parish hall Haskell Hall in honor of former member and church organist, Doris Burd Haskell, in recognition of the contribution from her estate.

Since 1949, the church has seen much growth, many changes, and met many challenges. On July 1, 1955, the Reverend Joseph N. Cathcart became the second rector for the church. Under his leadership, the church grew to 179 communicants in good standing with 230 Episcopal students at Louisiana Tech, giving a total, counting all baptized persons, of 475. In 1961, Redeemer held its first Men of the Church Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper—a tradition that has been carried yearly to date, except for the year 2020 when the church was in quarantine with the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Fr. Cathcart died August 26, 1966, at the age of 57. After his death, the Reverend William L. Worrell became the third rector on January 4, 1967. Fr. Worrell served the Redeemer for 19 years, 10-1/2 months. It was during his term as rector that a second Diocese was formed in the state and the Church of the Redemer became a part of the Diocese of Western Louisiana. This diocese comprised was then known as the telephone area code of 318. In May 1980 two stain glass windows were given to the church. The large window over the front doors represents the “Great Commission” donated by Sammie and Ellen Colvin and the other given by Fr. Worrell. During the week of June 10, 1984, stain glass windows representing the “Life of Christ” were installed in the nave and chapel. Fr. Worrell retired and in January 1987, the challenge of finding a new rector began.

On August 30, 1987, Reverend John S. David was installed as the fourth rector. Reverend David was the first priest in the history of the Church of the Redeemer to bring children to the parish with his 4 sons. In 1991 Fr. David resigned, and on September 13, 1992, the Reverend Richard D. Cloud was installed as the fifth rector. Shortly after his arrival, the church was presented with the gift of a 13-rank pipe organ by Fred and Shirley King. Under his leadership, plans were made for the creation of the Redeemer Prayer/Ash Garden. In April 1996, Fr. Cloud resigned as rector.

In August of 1996, the Reverend Edward M. Head accepted the call to be the rector of the Church of the Redeemer. His first Sunday was October 27, 1996. Fr. Head was officially installed as the sixth rector, on February 16, 1997 by Bishop Robert Hargrove. His tenure saw the building of the deck behind Haskell Hall, the renovation of the parish hall kitchen and the Sunday School building being completely renovated and renamed for the Reverend William L. Worrell. After serving 11 years as rector, Fr. Head retired November 30, 2007.

Year 2000 - Present

In January, 2008, the Reverend Paula Claire Hall was called as interim priest. Under the Bishop’s direction three committees were formed to guide the parish in the search for a new rector.

Later in 2008, the Reverend James G. Benbrook was called to be the seventh rector of the Church. He was installed on March 11, 2009, by the Right Reverend D. Bruce MacPherson, Third Bishop of the Western Diocese of Louisiana. Fr. Benbrook served until 2011.

In December 2011, the Reverend William R. “Bill” Easterling was called to be our interim priest, preaching his first sermon at the Redeemer on December 11th. Later in the year, he was called to be our rector and was installed on September 20, 2012, as the Eighth rector by the Right Rev. Jacob W. Owensby, Fourth Bishop of the Western Diocese of Louisiana.  Fr. Easterling retired in July of 2019.  In 2019, Redeemer completed a re-fresh of their website, with church member Kevin Hawkins designing the website as well as adding new photography.  The website can be found online at www.rustonredeemer.org.

In November of 2019, the Reverend R Christopher Heying was called as our Ninth rector. Fr. Heying’s first Sunday was November 3rd, and he was officially installed as our rector on January 30, 2020, by the Right Rev. Jacob W. Owensby. During Fr. Heying’s tenure as our rector the world was plagued by the Covid-19 virus. Services were shut down for several months. During this quarantine, services were streamed Live on Facebook and have continued since. A YouTube channel was established to offer online in-depth bible study videos on-line as well as Episcopal traditions. This on-line ministry has expanded our presence outside the walls of the church.

Fr. Heying resigned February 15, 2021. After his departure, the vestry called the Reverend Frank W. Hughes to be our Priest-in-Residence until such time as the church can call a full-time rector. Fr. Hughes has been instrumental in Redeemer expanding our YouTube channel (Search YouTube.com for Ruston Redeemer). He has posted videos on the following:  the Gospel According to Matthew, the Coming of Christ, Liturgical colors, Christianity 101 & 102, the Gospel According to Mark, and many other topics.

The Church of the Redeemer began keeping official records in 1949. As of August 2023, there have been 1093 communicants, 406 baptisms, 647 confirmations, 169 marriages, and 228 burials. These events in the life of the Episcopal Church in Ruston give promise to a bright future.

Thanks be to God.

Submitted by:  Fred Hamilton, Jr.  -  August 2023

Tech Drive Location 2023