Rev. J. Henry Bowden, Sr., the
Baton Rouge District Superintendent, held an organizational meeting at
the Methodist Student Center at LSU on September 8, 1941. Rev. Benedict
Galloway was asked to serve as pastor until Annual Conference (in November),
and the first worship service was held on September 14, 1941.
Rev. William E. Trice was appointed
pastor that November. He went on to serve the church for 25 years.
On August 4, 1941, LSU sold
a section of property on Darymple Drive to the Methodists and Presbyterians.
The land was divided between the two denominations in 1947. The cornerstone
for University Methodist Church was laid on May 24, 1950. The church
was soon built, and the first service in the new sanctuary was held on
May 20, 1951. An early supporter of the church was Mr. J.W. Reily.
The church was later renamed the William B. Reily Memorial University Methodist
Church.
SOURCE: History of University
Methodist Church |
