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History of United Methodism

Welcome to the History of the Louisiana Annual Conference Archives of the United Methodist Church. This web site will present information on the history of United Methodism, especially in this Conference. 

 

1806-2006: 200 Years of Methodism in Louisiana

1861 Diary of  Rev. Robert T. Parish
• Retention Schedules: Annual Conference - Districts - Local Church
GCAH Recommendations for Records Retention
300th Anniversary of John Wesley's Birth
1847 Louisiana Conference Journal

    The transcription of the Journal from the first Louisiana Annual Conference held in January 1847.

19th Century Pastors Photo Gallery
LA UM Churches Closed in the last 3 decades
Historical Development Timeline

    The historical development of the branches of Methodism since 1784.

Dillard University Repository
    Here is an online inventory of the items at Dillard University in New Orleans.  The bulk of the collection deals with former Conference "B" churches that evolved out of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Excerpts on Louisiana Conference History
    Here are a couple of selections taken from Nathan Bangs' classic History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which is available in its entirety online at Christian Classics Etheral Library.

A Concise History of the Louisiana Conference
    This is a short version of the history of the conference. 

List of Louisiana UM Local Church Histories at the Archives
   At a couple of occasions (1976, 1984), Louisiana Conference churches have been urged to send in copy of their local church history.  This online list shows the local church histories on file at the archives as of summer 1997.

Methodism Along the Bayou
    An online version of the book about the history of Methodism in the Houma-Terrebonne area.  It includes information on surrounding ministries, such as the MacDonell Home and the Dulac Indian Mission.

Salem - memories of an early church



People in Louisiana United Methodist History

  • James Axley, followed Bowman and built the first Methodist church in Louisiana
  • Learner Blackman, first presiding elder over Louisiana
  • Elisha Bowman, the first minister assigned to Louisiana
  • Daniel DeVinne
  • Lorenzo Dow, the first minister (connected to the Methodist Church) to preach in Louisiana
  • Robert Harp , served the LA Conference from its inception for seven decades
  • Martin Hebert, pioneer of the French mission field of south Louisiana
  • Anatole Martin, pioneer local preacher of the French mission field of south Louisiana
  • Richmond Nolley, pioneer of Louisiana Methodism
  • Lewis Reed, early circuit rider of the 1800s 
  • Joshua Soule, bishop when the LA Conference began
  • William Winans, prominant minister of MS & LA for the first half of the 19th century



Gentleman's Magazine, Vol. 9, May 1739
   The mischievous Nature and Tendency of Methodism, p. 255, 256
   The bad Effects of Methodism on Civil Society, p.
Gentleman's Magazine, Vol. , November 1747

External UM History Websites

  • A Brief Timeline of The United Methodist Church and the American Heritage
  • Barratt's Chapel and Museum (Delaware)
  • Bibliography of United Methodist History
  • Biography of John Wesley
  • A Brief Timeline of The United Methodist Church and the American Heritage
  • A Complete History of Methodism (by Rev. John G. Jones, 1887)
      Summarized by Bren Cloud, 1997 
  • Camp Meeting and Revival Movements
  • Christian History of Stoke-on-Trent
        About Methodist Revivals
  • The Circuit - Riders in Early American Methodism
  • Complete List of United Methodist Bishops
  • A Chronology
        British Religion and Philosophy in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
  • Doctrinal Heritage
        From the book of Discipline
  • Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task
  • The History of the Methodist Episcopal Church
        Classic mid-19th century history of the first hundred years of Methodism by Nathan Bangs.
  • John Wesley's Notes on the Bible
  • Methodist History Research Links
  • Methodist Archives and History Center
  • Methodist Archives
        John Rylands University Library of Manchester
  • Ministerial Genealogical Research Request
        Genealogical search service by the GCAH for US UM ministers.
  • Missionary Research Request
        Genealogical search service by the GCAH for foreign UM missionaries.
  • Our History
        Excerpts from The United Methodist Story, Our History, Our Beliefs & Our Mission
  • Peter Cartwright
  • Peter Cartwright on Cane Ridge and the New Lights
 Photographs
        From 200 Years of United Methodism: An Illustrated History
  • Religious Denominations
 Shouting Methodists
  • 200 Years of United Methodism: An Illustrated History
  • Wesleys and Their Times

Resources at Centenary College's Archives Page

  • Main Archives Page
    • "Methodist Circuit Riders: Mississippi and Louisana: Early Times -- 1792-1847 AND
    "The Early Methodist Circuit Riders and Those Who Followed Them Into the "Washitaw" Area ... and to Monroe (pt.2) 
    • "Early Methodist Circuit Riders and Those Who Followed Them to the Washitaw Area and to Monroe, Louisiana" (pt.3)