The story of Gretna United Methodist
Church begins in Gouldsborough (also called McDonoghville). The early
services of the Gouldsborough Methodist Episcopal Church, South were held
in private homes. Margaret Engler O'Connell managed to get the Mary
Werlein Mission to send a "Gospel Wagon" with a preacher and organ to town
in 1896. A Sunday School was soon established at the McDonough No.
26 public school. Eventually, land was purchased on Jefferson St.
and a church was constructed in 1897. The name changed to McDonoughville
when the town's name changed in 1903.
When McDonoughville was incorporated
into Gretna in 1941, the church became the Gretna Methodist Church.
Though membership continued to grow, building a new church was financially
difficult. So the church was moved to a larger lot at Monroe and
Anson Streets in 1947. The church was rebuilt to add classrooms and
an upstairs social hall. The congregation again met at McDonough
No. 26 school while construction took place.
On March 31, 1955, the old church
burned down. The congregation returned to the school for services.
A new church was begun and was completed in March of 1956.
To the east, a Terrytown Methodist
Church was organized and land was purchased. The new congregation
met at Oakwood Mall, Westside Theater, and McDonoughville No. 26 school.
It soon became apparent that the property that had been purchased was too
small.
In 1969, the Terrytown and Gretna
churches merged. The Terrytown property was sold, and a 5 acre lot
purchased at 1309 Whitney Ave. The first service in the new church
was held on July 24, 1977 and was led by Rev. Harbuck.
In 1994, several members from
the St. James church in Marrero joined the congregation.
A new 450-seat, 17,000 square
foot facility is planned to be completed for Labor Day 2004. Besides
a pipe organ, it will have the latest audio-visual set-up to allow for
modern technology. |
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