A Methodist Episcopal Church
(northern branch) was established in Hammond in 1879, though it was later
abandoned. By 1889, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South organized
a congregation of 12 members. Early services were held in the old
City Hall, and later in a small building at the corner of West Thomas and
North Oak Streets. The minister from Ponchatoula would drive to Hammond
to conduct services. The first real church building was constructed
in 1899 at the corner of North Cypress and East Robert Streets. In
1937, the church was moved to North Holly and Charles Streets.
The first parsonage, located
at 402 East Hanson Street, was purchased by the church's Ladies Aid Society.
The payments were $11 a month. In 1950, a new parsonage was built
on 701 East Thomas. At a later date, the church purchased the present
parsonage at 205 College Dr.
A Sunday school building was
build in 1913. A tower and chimes, erected in 1939, were donated
by Mrs. C. T. Scarbrough in the name of the Faithful Workers Ladies Bible
Class.
By the late 1970's it became apparent that a new
church was needed. The old church property was sold to the city for
$350,000 in 1984. The new church was built on property donated by
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Durham, Sr.
Source: History of First Methodist Church, W.L. Jennings
and Bill Clark |
