McGowen United Methodist Church

     In 1871, Rev. T.B. White, pastor at New Iberia, started holding services near Jeanerette at a school house on Dr. William Richardson's land. In 1875, services were moved to a warehouse in Jeanerette. Later that year, a plot of land was bought and work was begun on the first of four buildings that were to stand on the site. The original church was destroyed in 1880 by a hurricane. Using much of the original lumber, a second church was built that same year. In 1887, Dr. Charles McGowen donated a bell to be placed in the steeple. A large pulpit Bible was given in 1899 by Mrs. J.C. Akers, Sr.
     As the congregation grew, a larger facility was needed. So, in 1905, the church was sold to the Jerusalem Baptist congregation and a new church was built. Over the years, a heavy asbestos roof was added and a back room of the church was removed. This weakened the structure so that in 1951, it was declared unsafe and was closed. The fixtures were removed, and services were held in the Masonic Lodge on Main Street. By 1953, the congregation (under the leadership of Rev. A.M. Martin) completed a new church building. The church was named McGowen Memorial in memory of Charles and Florence McGowen. A round stained glass window, depicting Jesus praying at Gethsemane, was given in memory of the McGowens and was placed just under the steeple. The stained glass windows around the church memorialize members from the Richardson and Bussey families.
     As the membership increased, two Sunday School rooms and a Fellowship Hall were added in 1959.

SOURCE: Rev. Bill Rowell, Jr.

How to Get There: Exit Hwy 90 at the Jeanerette exit. If you take the exit on the east side of town(which turns into Canal), you can turn left directly onto Church St. (which is one block before Hwy 182). The church will be on the 1300 block on your left. If you take the exit into Jeanerette on the west side of town (Hubertville Rd.), you will turn right when you get to Hwy 182 and head into town. Turn right on Dominigues and go 2 blocks. Take a left on Church St. The church will be on the 1300 block on your right.