Rev. W.C. Mason (of the Gordon
Avenue Methodist Church) and D.S. Rev. H.M. Johnson led a group of laypersons
that thought a church was needed in a growing area of Monroe. An
organizational meeting was held by the two ministers and seventeen laypersons
in March of 1945. Rev. Mason began holding services at the Sherrouse
elementary school. The name “Memorial” was proposed by Fred
Willis and it was approved.
By September 1, the new congregation
had 68 charter members. Three adjacent lots were purchased on Sherrouse
Avenue. In the summer of 1946, the church got its first full-time
pastor when Rev. George Pearce agreed to come over from Alexandria.
A parsonage was soon acquired at 215 Bell Street. Work began
on a two-story brick education building by November 1947 and the cornerstone
was laid on February 8, 1948. During Rev. Pearce’s three years at
Memorial, the membership rose to almost 500.
The original parsonage was sold
in 1951 and a home on the same block as the church was purchased.
After the purchase of two more lots and a donation from the real estate
company, the church owned the entire block.
In 1953, fundraising began towards
a new sanctuary. The new church was constructed in 1955-56 under
the leadership of Rev. Ralph Cain. It’s first service was held on
April 22, 1956. Since several items were excluded from the building
contract to keep it under budget, additional work and items (such as air
conditioning) were added afterwards. In 1970, the parking area was
paved.
Source: Out of the Past, Quadricentennial Anniversary |
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