In June of 1981, Rev. Fred Wideman
was assigned the task of forming a new church in the Shenandoah area of
Baton Rouge. A meeting was held at the home of Zula Braud on Jun
15, 1981, with nine people in attendance. Meetings were held each
Sunday in private homes. On July 8, Rev. Wideman announced that $10,000
and a piano were given to the fledgling church. On July 29, 1981,
a committee chose the name of St. Andrews for the new church.
The first official service was
held at the Shenandoah Elementary School on Sept. 13, 1981. There
were 155 people at that service, and 68 of them joined St. Andrews that
day. Services continued at the school for 20 months while property
was acquired and a church built. Sunday School was held at the home
of Judy and Glen McAlister. Dallas Fiandt taught the adult Sunday
School.
After the 1000 Club donated
$75,000, a tract of land (almost 8 acres) was purchased on Monitor Ave.
A site and construction plan was developed by Bobby Crump. The church
was soon built, with the first service being held there in May of 1983.
The church grew rapidly, and a second service was added in 1984.
An education building was constructed in 1986.
SOURCE: A Short History of St.
Andrews United Methodist Church |
