Latta Cumberland Presbyterian Church

2031 West 32nd Street
Ada, OK 74820

(405) 332-0799

To the Presbytery of Chickasaw Presbytery:

The undersigned respectfully represent that on the thirty-first day of January, A.D. 1932, there was organized by Rev. J. E. Bell (of Cherokee Presbytery) at Latta, a new Church, adopting the principals of the Government of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with a membership of thirty-two members, and elected the undersigned as ruling elders.

Under and by authority of said Church, we do hereby apply to be received under your care, and we promise a cheerful compliance on its part, as our own, with all the duties and obligations enjoined upon particular Churches and their officers by the Government of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Signed:

Rev. J. E. Bell, Moderator

Ruling Elders: J. M. Goodpasture, J. G. Lovelace, Will Haines, Albert Medlock

March 9, 1932

[Source: Minutes of Chickasaw Presbytery, March 10, 1932, page 7]

Minutes of Chickasaw Presbytery, September 9-10, 1932

Roll Call

Congregations: Ada Memorial - Medlock

A resolution asking that the name of the Ada Memorial Church be changed to the Latta Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Said resolution was received and adopted.

[Source: Minutes of Chickasaw Presbytery, March 6, 1941, page 3]

Prior to 1932 there was no organized church in the Latta Community, but an active Sunday School was being maintained in the Latta School Building. In 1932, a revival was held in the school by an evangelist from the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination and from this the Latta Cumberland Presbyterian Church was founded with 32 charter members. The first elected elders of the church were: William Haines, J. G. Lovelace, Morgan Goodpasture, and Albert Medlock.

It was first known as the Ada Memorial Church. Although the members would have liked a church home, these were depression years and it did not seem feasible to build a church so the members continued to worship in the school.

In 1947 a site was selected west of the school and an acre of land was given by the Norris Estate. Later more land was purchased from the Estate.

The first church building was a two-story buff brick structure with a Sanctuary and Church Office on the main floor and a Fellowship Hall, Kitchen, Restroom and Sunday School rooms in the full basement. It was dedicated debt-free in 1950.

In 1953, a new modern buff brick Manse for the pastor and family was built just west of the church building and in 1960, a new church structure as built as an addition to the original building. The new structure included a Sanctuary, a Fellowship Hall, Restrooms, Nursery, and Church Office. The church structure became debt free in 1973.

The church is a strong advocate of tithing and has not only paid its way through the building programs, but supported the total programs of the denomination.

Of the 32 charter members, four are still members. They are: Sylvia Haines Brantley, Helen Lovelace Cooper, Mrs. Flora Lovelace, and Mr. Morgan Goodpasture.

The church has an active Sunday School for all ages, a growing children and youth program, a project-oriented women's group, the Cumberland Presbyterian Women, and a recently reorganized men's fellowship.

Rev. J. E. Bell [1932-1935]

Rev. L. A. Crabb [1935-1937

Rev. James Bridges [1939]

Rev. C. L. Bolding [1939-1946]

Rev. D. C. Murphree [1946-1947]

Rev. Willard Murrie [1947-1949]

Rev. F. H. LaFollette [1949-1954]

Rev. Ray Morris [1954-1957]

Rev. Thomas Ballard [1957]

Rev. R. C. Magness [1957-1958]

Rev. F. H. LaFollette [1958-1961]

Rev. Jack Freeman [1961-1964]

Rev. James Kelso [1964-1966]

Rev. Charles McCaskey [1966-1973]

Rev. LaRoyce Brown [1973-1978]

Rev. Fred Milligan [1978-1979]

Rev. Raymond Kinslow [1980-1981]

Rev. Claud Baltimore [1981-present]