Methodism in north Baton Rouge
began with the Istrouma church back in 1917, when members of First Church
decided to help start a congregation at Istrouma. The North Baton
Rouge church began in 1942, when Methodists in the community felt the need
for a Methodist Church. Winbourne began in 1946, with 10 charter
members holding services in a tent. When the membership of the three
churches declined in the 1980s, the congregations merged to form the Evangeline
United Methodist Church. That church was chartered on March 29, 1990
under pastor Rev. Carol Winn.
Evangeline closed in 2001, and
the Hope Community United Methodist Church began on June 16, 2002 in the
Evangeline church facilities. The mission of the church is To be
a source of light in the midst of hurts and hopelessness through enabling
ministries that offer the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The church
strives to be a church where caring hands heal hurting hearts.
The first pastor of Hope Community
was Rev. H. Louis Jones. To foster relationships with the community,
Breakfast and Bible Studies Ministries and Friday Night Fellowships were
begun. A Summer Celebration was soon held and membership began to
grow from the initial seven members.
A full slate of church activities
.. from Sunday School classes to choirs to liturgical dancers
were soon
initiated. The church became involved with community outreach through
Head Start, a Summer Enrichment program, a health fair, and tutoring and
mentoring programs.
A Chartered Membership Campaign
was begun on March 30, 2003. The churchs first baptisms were three
children on July 20, 2003. Rev. Brunetta Shamlin was added to the
staff as the Minister of Christian Education. |
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