The Lydia UMC began as the "Isle
aux Cannes" Methodist Church on September 16, 1894. Meetings were
held in Toussaint Duplantis' home until 1898. A small parcel of land
was purchased from Edmund Richards at that time for $50. The original
founding families were the Duplantises, the Broussards, the Charpentiers,
the Princes, the Henris, the Vaughns, and the Landrys. A church was
build shortly thereafter. It was painted white and had a very high
steeple. The inside was never finished and the congregation sat on
chairs. A parsonage was build in 1901. In 1909, a hurricane
destroyed the church. A smaller building was then built. The
interior of the second church wasn't finished until Rev. A.D. Martin's
pastorate in the 1920's. Eighteen 8 foot pews (costing $1.75 each)
were made for the church. An old chimney was donated, dismantled
and used to build the church steps.
When Rev. Martin was succeeded
by his cousin, Rev. A.M. Martin, the Lydia Church was on the same circuit
as the Weeks Island and Pecan Island Churches. At one point, services
were also held at Oaklawn Plantation, also. The average attendance
at Lydia in 1924 was 25 at worship and 20 at Sunday School. The pastor's
salary was $300 ($125 from Lydia, $125 from Weeks Island, $90 from Pecan
Island). A parsonage was used in the late 20's. But in 1933,
it was dismantled and used to build a parsonage in Jeanerette.
Membership rose in the 1940's
when Brother Pierson switched from French to English services and held
weekly services. On October 3, 1964, hurricane Hilda destroyed the
second church. It was rebuilt within a year under Rev. Cansler.
The roof sustained damage by a hurricane in 1992, but it was repaired.
The congregation still continued to increase and an adult Sunday School
program was added.
In 1969, the Weeks Island Church
merged with the Lydia Church. The actual Weeks Island church building
was moved behind the Lydia church in 1970 and was used as an educational
building. The building has since deteriorated and is not being
used. |
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