As the area of New Orleans near
Lake Ponchartrain grew in the 1950's, the Methodist Church purchased 5
lots for future expansion. A pastor was appointed to lead in the
formation of the first expansion site. After conducting a religious
survey and a house-to-house visitation, an organizational meeting was held
at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alcee Chriss at 4918 Prentiss Avenue to form
the Pontchartrain Park Methodist Church. After the 23 charter members
met in private homes for a while, Dr. Albert Dent, president of Dillard
University, offered Coss Hall as a site of worship. The name was
changed at this time to Bethany, to reflect a more biblical name.
The congregation met there until the church was completed in June of 1958.
By 1962, the congregation had
grown to 125 members. It grew to 183 by the next year.
A new church was consecrated
on December 28, 1969 under the leadership of Rev. E.A. Kennedy, Jr.
The congregation had to make a series of changes and reduced the cost of
the building in order to pay for it. By 1975, the church returned
to normal operation with a budget of $64,000 with a membership of 289.
The UMW and UMM (organized in
1972) are still strong. The nursery developed into a Day Care Center
serving over 100 children.
Source: History of Bethany Methodist Church |
