Although the first Methodist
circuit rider arrived in New Orleans in 1805 (Elisha Bowman), a church
was not established for 2 decades. In 1824, when Benjamine Drake
was appointed pastor, Edward McGehee bought a lot for the church.
The first church, 48' by 38' by 18' high, was soon built and was dedicated
in June of that year. It had balconies on 3 sides for black members.
In 1835, property was purchased
at Carondelet and Poydras for a larger church. Edward McGehee again
helped out in a big way with financial contributions. This church
was burned in 1851, so that a new church was erected further down Carondelet
St. This 1851 church now serves as the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
The new church, completed in 1853, was known as the Carondelet Methodist
Church.
In 1903, property was purchased
at 1108 St. Charles Ave. A new church, called First Methodist Church,
was completed in 1907. When an approach to the Mississippi River
bridge had to be built, the 1907 church had to be vacated by the summer
of 1956. So the congregation merged with the Canal St. Methodist
Church at 4140 Canal St. The joint membership met for the last service
on St. Charles St. on August 24, 1956.
The merged congregations purchased
property at the corner of Canal St. and Jeff Davis and a new church was
constructed. The first service was held on October 30, 1960.
That same year, the Child Care Center was created.
In 1993, the parking lot was paved.
Source: A History of First United Methodist Church |
