For years, the community of
Jefferson (located west of New Orleans along the river) had been served
by the Jefferson City Church (also known as the Cadiz Street Church).
In 1875, a new church was built on St. Charles Ave. by Robert Rayne.
Mr. Rayne was a local preacher and New Orleans merchant. He bought
the site and paid for much of the construction in memory of his son William.
When the Cadiz church was closed in 1876, the roll was transferred to the
new St. Charles Ave. M. E. Church, South. Other members came from
the Felicity and Carondelet churches. The first service was held
on January 2, 1876 with Dr. W.E. Munsey as the pastor.
When Mr. Rayne passed away in
1879, the church was transferred to the M.E. Church, South. In 1887,
the name of the church was changed to Rayne Memorial M. E. Church, South
to honor Mr. Rayne
The first Sunday School building
was constructed in 1885. It was remodeled 3 times over the next 40
years. In 1925, an new educational building was built behind the
sanctuary. A new children's educational building (the Bynum Building)
was constructed in 1962. A new organ was purchased that same year.
In 1968, the Hannah Chapel was built. The Chapel is being used today
as the sanctuary for the Korean United Methodist Church. The chapel
is named for the wife of Mr. Pendleton Lehde, who was responsible for building
the chapel.
In 1908, the church bought its
first parsonage at the corner of Pitt and Constantinople Streets.
It has been remodeled several times (1942, 1962, 1974) over the years.
The church itself was remodeled
after a storm in 1915. A pastor's study and modern church office
were built in 1972. The Fellowship Hall was remodeled in 1974.
Source: One Hundred Years of Rayne Memorial by Ms. Fannie
Rayne Ross & Ms. Ashley S. Ross |
