The first recorded church services
in New Iberia occurred in 1823, when Rev. Benjamin Drake held services
from a sailing vessel in Bayou Teche. He later held services in private
homes. The church was organized in 1839 and a Sunday School was established.
The first meetings were held in a Barrel Factory. Later, services
were held in a small building on the corner of French and Washington Streets.
The New Iberia Methodist Church was officially incorporated and a church
was built in 1858. The membership at that time was 125. The
new church, on the corner of Washington and Iberia Streets, was dedicated
two years later. A parsonage (one of only eighteen in Louisiana)
was also provided.
On May 24, 1890, the congregations
was devastated when the church and parsonage were both destroyed by fire.
On August 8, 1890, a lot was purchased on the corner of Jefferson and West
St. Peter Streets. While funds were raised for a new church, services
were held in an opera house. Although the sanctuary was completed
in 1892, the church, which cost $14,000, was dedicated on February 5, 1893.
The new church was struck by fire in 1907, but it was soon repaired.
The congregation met at the Jewish Synagogue until the building was repaired.
The church membership at this time was 300.
In 1939, work was begun on the
educational building, which was completed in 1942. In 1948, work
was begun on a new parsonage, which was first occupied by Rev. Charles
McLean in 1950 and dedicated in 1952.
By 1950, the church membership
had grown to 800 and a second morning worship service was added.
The sanctuary was renovated and the educational space was added.
In 1954, additional property was purchased on Jefferson Street to accommodate
the growing Sunday School and another educational building was constructed
soon after. The sanctuary was renovated again in 1969. In 1978,
a lot was purchased across the street from the church for use as a parking
area. In 1986, Mr. & Mrs. B.E. Fox, Sr. bought a home and donated
it to the church to be used as the new parsonage.
In 1986, New Iberia celebrated
150 years of Methodism. In 1987, church facilities were renovated
and a new parking lot was added. Two years later, the church was
placed into the National Register of Historic places. And in 1991,
the Sanctuary Centennial Celebration was held.
Source: "Methodism in New Iberia", A Brief Summary by
Sam White |
