• Historic Keachi Churches

Historic Keachi Churches

Although these structures are not open to the public at this time they are well worth driving by.

On LA Hwy 5, east of US Hwy 171 are three historic churches. The Keachi Methodist Church was organized around 1840. However that building burned. The one standing now was built in 1879 and is known as the Keachi United Methodist Church. The light fixtures and benches are original. The church was placed on the National register of Historic Places in June 1988.

Keachi Baptist Church was established in 1852 and was known as New Hope. It has had a long, illustrious history, having been home to Baptist Male and Baptist Female Colleges and following the Civil War was for a while a co-ed college. These later split with the male students going to another town. The college closed after state colleges became established, but the church building remains and is still active. They also have their bell, which tolls each Sunday.

The Keachi Presbyterian Church building was completed in 1858. It had an open porch, and there was a raised slave gallery in back of the sanctuary between the double entrance doors. Following the Civil War this area was used as a choir loft, but was removed around the turn of the century. The porch has also been closed in. The benches are hand-hewn. The church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Moses Rose "Survior of the Alamo" Gravesite
• Republic of Texas Boundary Marker

Moses Rose "Surviror of the Alamo" Gravesite

Moses Rose is described as the “survivor of the Alamo”. When Col. Travis drew the line in the sand Rose crossed it and left. He was from France and had fought under Napoleon there. He did not want to go to war again. He wandered about Texas for several years and finally came to Logansport where the Aaron Ferguson family took him in. At his death he was buried in the Ferguson cemetery northeast of Logansport on the Bethel Road. The site is handicap accessible as is the grave of Aaron Ferguson, a veteran of the War of 1812.

Republic of Texas Boundary Marker

The boundary between Louisiana and Texas was marked with posts made of crushed particles of marble or granite. There is one known to exist, and that is located on La. Highway 765 and Texas FM. Road 31. One side of the marker is carved with R. T. – Republic of Texas and another U.S.A. It is dated 1840 and was set on April 23, 1841. A historical marker is at the site.

• Christ Memorial Episcopal Church
• DeSoto Parish Courthouse
• Mansfield Cemetary
• Mansfield State Historical Site/Mansfield Battlepark
• Rock Chapel

Christ Memorial Episcopal Church

Christ Memorial Episcopal Church is on the corner of Washington Avenue and Gibbs Street in Mansfield. The present church building was built on land donated by Dr. Robert T. Gibbs, and it was consecrated on June 16, 1882, dedicated to the memory of the soldiers who died at the Battle of Mansfield April 8, 1864. Located behind the church is St. Anne’s Chapel. This was a building moved from Terrell Springs Plantation where T. B. Herndon, a young postulant had been holding services. However, on Spetember 2, 1950 he died in an accident just two days before leaving for seminary. Early services are now held in that building.

DeSoto Parish Courthouse

The first courthouse and a jail were built for $900.00. On August 4, 1843 the Police Jury accepted the log courthouse, and the first day of court was the following day. A new building was erected in 1850, and the log courthouse was lost. However as the General Ross Hewitt house was being demolished the log courthouse was found within its walls. The DeSoto Parish Historical Society immediately began raising funds to restore it and was successful. It was dismantled and rebuilt at its present site on the corner of Polk Street and Madison Street. On the grounds is the bell that summoned court into session is 1843.

The courthouse is open Mondays and Tuesdays 9:00 to 4:00 and Wednesdays 9:00 to 12:00. There are historical items on view. There is no fee; however, donations are welcome.

The current courthouse was erected in 1911. It has recently been renovated, and during this procedure stained skylights and other decorative details were rediscovered. The style is a mixture of Mediterranean and English, and is most impressive with arched windows and ionic columns. The structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places January 22, 1987. It sits in a square of Washington, Texas, Adams, and Franklin Streets.

Mansfield Cemetary

In the Mansfield Cemetery at the end of Van Buren Street, which runs north off Polk Street, there is an area of markers of Confederate veterans. One of the most unusual is that of Levy Carnine, a black veteran. He was a slave and went with his owner, a Dr. Hogan, and a member of the Pelican Rifles from DeSoto Parish. Dr. Hogan was killed in Virginia and Levy went with Col. Jesse Williams also from Mansfield. When he died Levy stayed with the Company becoming the cook. As more members were killed and began to take up arms and fight with them. He then volunteered to take communications to Confederates in other areas by deserting to the Federal troops and thus traveling freely to deliver the documents. When he died he was buried with full military honors in the Confederate section of the cemetery.

Mansfield State Historical Site/Mansfield Battlepark

Mansfield State Historical Site is in DeSoto Parish, four miles south of Mansfield on La 175. Exit I-49 to the city of Mansfield and follow 175 south to the 177-acre site. The museum exhibits Civil War items including weapons, uniforms, letters, diaries, and many other items related to the battle. There is an interpretive trail named in honor of General Mouton, which winds through the grounds. The site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. There are monthly programs and the date and type of events can be obtained by calling (318) 872-1474.

New England industrialists and politicians wanted Texas invaded to obtain cotton lands to supply the idle cotton mills there and another group wanted the Mississippi opened to trade thus the Red River campaign was undertaken. On April 8th, 1864 one of the last battles of the war was fought in DeSoto Parish. Although the Federal troops numbered 36,000 and the Confederate 16,000 the latter prevailed and won the battle.

Rock Chapel

Construction on the Rock Chapel began in 1891 by monks who lived in the nearby Carmelite monastery. Stones from the surrounding area were joined together with mud plaster. The walls were painted with frescoes and the ceiling with murals done by two monks from France. The Chapel was used as a retreat for the monks. It also was a site for weddings, Easter services, and other celebrations. Unfortunately a decline began due to the death of the monks, poverty, fire, and the closure of the Carmelite convent. It fell into disrepair until 1959 when the priest of Carmel-Rambin Churches advocated restoration of the Chapel. Renovation was completed with a dedication service Sunday, June 4, 1961.

The Chapel is located seven miles northeast of Mansfield near Carmel on the Smith Lake Road. There is a fence around the property with a locked gate. Call the Tourist Bureau at (318) 872-1177 to obtain information to go onto the property.