The Lutcher United Methodist
Church began in 1898 and was the first Protestant church organized in the
area. William H. Curtis, a Methodist from New Orleans, moved to town
to work in a sawmill. Mr. Curtis "being exercised by the godlessness he
saw on all hands, in answer to prayer, God gave him to see some could be
converted." (from the original church records)
The first congregation included
about 40 people from various Protestant denominations. A Methodist
congregation was organized on December 30, 1898 at a meeting held by Rev.
Edward W. Osburn, Presiding Elder of the New Orleans Central District of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Curtis was appointed pastor
and trustees were elected.
The sanctuary was completed
and dedicated on May 5, 1901 under the leadership of Rev. J.W. Tinnin.
The Lutcher-Moore Lumber Company provided a home for a parsonage.
It was purchased from the company in 1934 for a nominal sum. Since
1960, that home has been used for various church functions.
In 1992, the building was added
to the National Register of Historic Places. |
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