Little Coweta Indian Baptist Church was established in the late 1800's by a group of pioneer Christian laymen. The name Coweta originated back in Georgia before the removal. The fathers of those who established the church originally settled east of what is now Tulsa. They named the settlement Coweta for the original township in Georgia. Part of the settlers then moved south to this area which lays between the North Canadian River and the South Canadian River. They called their settlement Little Coweta. This is how the church received the name Little Coweta.
The early permanent records were destroyed by fire; therefore, we have only the memory of our elders to draw from.
The original building was located some distance to the north of the present site, nearer to the North Canadian River. The church was moved near the present location in 1898 and then moved again in 1908 to this present location which is three quarters of a mile due east of the town of Lenna.
Rev. Louis Collins was pastor of the church from 1902 until 1913. He lived just east of the church. He died March 20, 1913. The church then had the following pastors: Billy Barnett, 1914 until his death in 1915; Barney Riley, 1915 - 1916; Limber Carr, 1916 - 1918.
Whenever the church was without a pastor, the leadership was carried by the deacons. Some of the deacons were: Doc Willingham, Barney Rallie; Sam Lonie, George Turk, Albert Moore, John Morrison, Johnny Morrison; Sam Harjo, Johnson Wacogee, George Jones, Martin Daniel, Major Morrison, Yancy McFarlin, Jeremiah "Chief" Hill, Hence Morrison, Bud Moore, Jim Derrisaw. The Big Arbor Church furnished the church with supply pastors from the late 1920's until 1935.
There is one lady who stands out in the memory of our elders. She was Woman's leader, Katie Conard, she was the mother of Bro. Jim Derrisaw. She was always in attendance from early Friday until Monday. Through her guidance, the first Sunday School Convention was held at our church in 1926.
Rev. Jim Derrisaw was ordained to the ministry Jun 20, 1935. He served as pastor until 1937. Rev. Maxie Jones was pastor from 1937 until his death in 1941. The church went from 1941 to 1951 under the leadership of the deacons and Rev. Tom McIntosh, from the Big Arbor Church. He was always there to help when the church needed a minister.
On November 11, 1951, Rev. Adam Jones was ordained and elected pastor. The church increased in baptisms and attendance. The W M U became active and Sunday School and Church Training was once more restored. Br. Jones led the church in the first Vacation Bible School in 1960. Rev. Jones died November 14, 1961, ten years after becoming pastor.
A young man named Daniel Phillips Jr. moved into the community. He was married to Mina Harjo, the niece of Bro. Adam Jones. Bro. Phillips worked in the church for many years - first as Director of Training Union and teacher in Sunday School. After the death of Bro. Adam Jones, he became pastor of the church. He promoted R. A. 's and G. A. 's and the church moved forward under Bro. Dan's leadership. In the latter part of 1963 he left the pastorate to work in the Convention and the Association. He is now missionary of the Indian Association.
Rev. Jim Derrisaw was restored to the pastorate in 1963. He served until 1967. Bro. Hammer Barnett was pastor for 2 years. He resigned because of failing health. Bro. Derrisaw was then pastor until 1973.
A young minister from Tulsa came to our church in February 1973. He was ordained May 26, 1973, by the church and now serves as pastor. Because of his leadership and devotion to the people of the church, it is once more increasing in baptisms and attendance.
There have always been Moores, Morrisons, Joneses, and Derrisaws in the church. . . and God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. Our present pastor, Rev. Ernest Best, of Tulsa, is the great, grandson of the first Morrison deacon.
The history of the church will never be complete until the LORD returns. The faith of the Christians of the church will always go foreword.