First United Methodist Church, Houma

     The first circuit riders made their way to Terrrebonne Parish in the late 1820's. In 1845, property was bought and a church built shortly after. In this domain of Catholicism, the Methodist church was the first church in the parish. Other Protestant denominations contributed to its construction and used the edifice when it was free. It was dedicated in 1850. For the first few decades, the congregation remained small. In 1888, with only 2 members on the roll, the church property was sold.
     In 1907, Rev. Martin Hebert of the French Mission expanded his circuit to include Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. Bolstered by Hebert's success, a pastor was assigned to Houma the following year. At first, services were held in a variety of rented rooms ... from a fire station to an opera house. In 1909, several lots were purchased; one of the homes on the property was used as the parsonage. In 1914, a house was bought and used as a church. The house was called the "Green Tabernacle. In 1921, the house was torn down and a larger brick church was built in 1922 under the guidance of Rev. F.J. McCoy. The "Red Brick Church" served the congregation well for 35 years.
     By the early 1950's, the membership needed more room. The Crescent Plantation property along Bayou Black was bought. The plantation home was torn down and the new church (called the "Cathedral on the Bayou") was built in 1956. Led by Rev. Sam Nader, it is one of the largest Protestant churches in the area. A home behind the church was purchased in 1952 and still serves as the parsonage.
     In 1978, the property between the church and the parsonage was purchased and an Activities Building was constructed. And in 1987, the western half of the block was purchased, so that the entire block is now the property of the church.

SOURCE: Methodism Along the Bayou, by Timothy Hebert

How to Get There: From Main St. (through the middle of town) turn south onto Barrow St. Travel for about a mile. Turn right at the 4th traffic light, onto Little Bayou Black Dr. The church will be one block down on your right.