LOUISIANA, Mo. – Martha Sue Smith knew from the start that the Louisiana Mid-Town Church Walk would be a joyous holiday experience. As the first president of the sponsor, the Louisiana Area Historical Museum, Smith for years led crowds from sanctuary to sanctuary. And though she won’t take the lead this year, a part of her legacy will certainly be prominent.  The free event on Sunday, Dec. 10, is open to the public. It begins at 3 p.m. at Bethel AME Church at Sixth and Tennessee and then progresses on foot to First Christian, First Baptist, Centenary United Methodist, Calvary Episcopal and First Presbyterian.  Each church presents a 15-minute program. Refreshments will be available afterward at First Presbyterian. People may join or leave at any point. The first walk was Dec. 11, 1984 – two years after the museum was established. The late Jeanne Lovell, a museum board member, came up with the idea.

“What a wonderful afternoon,” Smith said at the time. “I’m going home filled with the most wonderful anticipation of the season. We were just thrilled with the overwhelming response.”

The euphoria has continued for three decades. Smith said last week that the walk continues to delight because “it’s so unique” and such “a fitting way the museum can help top off the Christmas season.”

The rich history and distinct beauty of each parish adds to the experience. Some of the structures date to the late 1800s, serving as ephemeral foundations of lasting faith. Bethel AME is on the National Register of Historic Places, while First Christian at 517 South Carolina has a modern sanctuary that makes it acoustically welcoming. Large pipe organs serve as a backdrop to the altars at First Baptist and Centenary United Methodist, which stand across from each other at Seventh and South Carolina. The breath-taking stained-glass windows in Calvary Episcopal at 704 Georgia are intricate, as are the larger, elaborate stained-glass offerings inside First Presbyterian at 121 S. Eighth. Louisiana has several other churches, but their distance from the downtown area makes visits by the Church Walk impractical.

Smith always signaled when it was time to move to the next stop by ringing an antique bell from Louisiana’s Eugene Field School. The late Dorothy Webb and museum board member Judy Schmidt have also led the walk.

In 2021, Smith turned the bell over to Brent Engel, who is the museum’s current president. While he’ll lead the event, Engel allows kids to ring the bell.

“As with so much in our rich Pike County history, I am honored and humbled to be on the same path as Church Walk leaders past,” he said. “Giving others a chance to participate just enhances that legacy and generates interest for the future.”

Of course, Engel said the bell serves another purpose. A church that goes over the 15-minute time limit faces the wrath of the ringer.

“I have no constraints about cutting off violators,” said Engel, who admits such self-righteousness may be pushing the boundaries of seasonal bliss. “I might allow a few seconds, but don’t bet on it.”

While there is no admission charge, donations are welcomed. All proceeds will go toward the museum at 304 Georgia Street. The facility is generally closed during the winter, but arranged tours are available. Regular hours will resume next spring.

 

CUTLINE FOR PHOTO:

Misty Noble and her children, Josiah and Jordanna, right, lead Louisiana Mid-Town Church Walk participants from Bethel AME to First Christian last year. The 2023 Church Walk starts at Bethel at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10.