In early 1966, Rev. Frank Robinson
was sent to organize a new Methodist Church in the eastern part of East
Baton Rouge Parish. He spent his first few months visiting with families
in the area. When the Louisiana Conference and District leaders
purchased 10.6 acres of land at 15447 Old Hammond Hwy, 3 acres were deeded
to the new church. In May, the first service was held in a tent (with
a sawdust floor) on the property. They decided to name the church
after the great Methodist, Francis Asbury.
The initial congregation of
60 people soon started on their first building ... now being used as the
education building ... in the summer of 1967. The Anna Gray Noe Memorial
Organ was donated to the church in 1971. In 1972, the Corbin United
Methodist Church was added to Asbury. And in 1973, the Joel Hedrick
family donated their equity in a home to be used as a parsonage.
A new parking lot was constructed.
As the church grew in membership,
a larger church was needed. The present sanctuary was completed in
May, 1977. Since then, the education building, sanctuary, and kitchen
have undergone renovations. A reconditioned building was constructed
in 1976-1977 to increase space. A plan, called "Realizing the Vision",
was undertaken in 1996 to renovate the sanctuary. Construction was
schedule to begin in the summer of 1997. |
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