The Belle Chasse Community Methodist Church resulted from a merger of the Belle Chasse Community Church, which was organized in 1944.  The first service of the "new" church was on May 26, 1963.  It was led by Dr. Carl F. Lueg, the District Superintendent of the New Orleand District.  The church's first pastor was Dr. Adrian Serex.  There were 100 charter members in the congregation.  It officially became a Methodist Church on July 30, 1963.

SOURCE:     Belle Chasse Community Methodist Church
   
How to Get There:   Head south on Hwy 23 from the Westbank.
When you get to Belle Chasse, the Hwy reaches the Mississippi River
and makes a sharp bend to the right.  You'll see Belle Chasse
High School on your right.  The church is just past the curve to your
left.

 After a small group of people met for several months in the home of Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Anderson of Buras, the first service of Trinity Methodist Church was held in the Buras Community Church on River Road on February 11, 1951.  The congregation was chartered by Rev. H.L. Johns, the District Superintendent, on July 16, 1951.  For the first few years, the congregation met in the Community Church.  When Felix Elston donated a piece of land to the church, a building was soon constructed.  The first service in the new church was held on August 7, 1955.  The church was dedicated on February 18, 1956.
 In 1955, the Asbury Church was organized in Venice.  Until 1970, the churches were on the same circuit.  In 1965, hurricane Betsy destroyed the Asbury Church and severely damaged the Trinity Church.  Trinity repaired their church, while Asbury continued to meet in a trailer.  The 1000 Club and Rev. Fred Mead & the Louisiana Conference helped out with the financing.
 Disaster struck again when hurricane Camille hit on August 17, 1969.  Both the Asbury trailer and the Trinity Church were destroyed.  The congregations were able to hold services in the Riverview Baptist Church, which had survived the storm.  When Trinity was rebuilt, again with help from the Conference and the 1000 Club, the congregations decided to merge.  Today, Trinity is on a circuit with Hope Chapel, located across the river.

SOURCE:     History of Trinity United Methodist Church
   
How to Get There:     Head south on Hwy 23.  At Empire, you'll 
go over an overpass.  About 4.7 miles down the road, you'll take 
a left on Cazezu in Buras.  You should see a ball field to the left.  
It's less than a mile to Hwy 11 ... turn right.  You'll pass the Buras 
High School on your left after about 1/2 a mile.  The church is on 
the right, about 2 miles past the high school.

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Pt. a la Hache Hwy 39 South  14

 Hope Chapel United Methodist Church is the oldest Protestant church in Plaquemines Parish.  The church was moved to its present site from a settlement known as Bohemia.  Bohemia was located at "the end of the road" just south of East Point a la Hache.  Since the community lay beyond the levee system, it had to be abandoned due to high water.  Services were held at the home of Mrs. Annie Tabony for a while.  When Mrs. Tabony donated a piece of land next to her home to the church, a new building was constructed.
 The new church was dedicated on October 24, 1954.  Bishop Paul E. Martin, District Superintendent Virgil D. Morris, and Pastor Fred W. Campbell led the service.  Being so close to the Gulf, hurricanes (specifically Betsy and Camille) caused quite a bit of damage to the church.  With the assistance of Trinity UMC of Buras, the church was renovated in 1995.  The roof over the entrance, the Sunday School rooms, and the rest rooms in the rear were removed. 

SOURCE:     History of Hope Chapel United Methodist Church
   
How to Get There:     Head south from Chalmette on Hwy 39 ... or
take Hwy 23 south from Belle Chasse and cross over on the Pointe
a la Hache ferry.  The church is on the left, 1 mile past the ferry location.

 
St. Bernard United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Chalmette 115 E. D'Amour St.  258

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     Heading south on Judge Perez Dr. in 
Chalmette, you will turn right onto Paris Road.  D'Amour St. 
is one block down.  The church will be to your left.

 
Arabi United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Arabi 626 Mehle  50

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     Head east on either St. Claude Ave. or
Clairborne Ave. out of New Orleans into Arabi.  Turn right onto
Mehle.  You'll pass the Post Office on your left, then Royal St.,
and then the church will be on the right.

 
St. Charles United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Destrehan 1905 Ormond Blvd.  352  1987

 Starting in 1952, Joe and Thelma Sanders expressed the need for a Methodist church in the New Sarpy area.  Led by District Superintendent Dr. Virgil Morris, 17 charter members formed the St. John Methodist Church.  Though the membership grew to 72, it fell to 38 by 1981 after the Pan-Am refinery closed down.  As membership held steady for the next few years, nearby Destrehan was growing.  After several people, including the Bishop and the Board of Church Extension, were consulted, it was decided to establish a congregation in Destrehan.  The St. John congregation transferred their membership to the new church.   St. Charles, as the new church was called, was organized in January 1987 at the Day Nursery building on Store House Lane in Destrehan.  Including the St. John members, about 80 charter members were led by Rev. Dick Humphries.  After meeting in the Day Nursery for several months, they later met in the Ball Room of the Ormond Country Club and the Hill Heights Country Club.  They finally moved into the new church in the spring of 1989.

SOURCE:     "St. John UMC Evolves Into St. Charles UMC with the Birth of St. Charles UMC" by Caro Cunningham
   
How to Get There:     Travel on Hwy 61 west out of New Orleans
until you get to Destrehan.  You'll see a shopping center on your
left and there is a church sign at Ormond Blvd.  Take a left onto
Ormond.  Go down about 1.9 miles.  Just after you pass
Plantation Rd., the church will be on the right.

 
Golden Meadow United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Golden Meadow Hwy 308 @ E. 162nd St.  278
 
 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     Head south on Hwy 1 in Lafourche Parish.
In Golden Meadow, you will get to a St. Joseph Catholic Church
on the right.  Take the bridge just after the church and cross Bayou
Lafourche onto 308.  Turn right and go 2.1 miles ... the church will
be on the left, between E. 161st St. and E. 162nd St.

 
Grand Isle United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Grand Isle 100 Oak St.  22

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     Take Hwy 1 into Grand Isle.  About 1/4 mile
past the Post Office, turn left onto Oak Lane.  The church will be on 
the left.

 
Boynton United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Gretna 515 Fifth St.  104  1880

 The Boynton Church was established in 1880 in a building known as Caspars Hall.  The charter members raised $500 to purchase two lots at the present site of the church.  The church recieved its first pastor in 1883.  
 The original frame building, built in 1888, was destroyed by fire on May 26, 1894.  It was rebuilt in September of that year, but this building was destroyed by a 1915 hurricane.  The church was rebuilt about 1918.  It was renovated in 1954 under the leadership of Rev. W.T. Handy, Sr., the District Superintendent who  also served as pastor from 1952 to 1954.  
 A new church was built and completed on December 22, 1981.  The pastor at that time was Rev. O.W. Christopher..

SOURCE:     HIstorical Sketch: Boynton United Methodist Church
   
How to Get There:     Take the Westbank Expressway to Belle Chasse
Hwy.  The Hwy north of the Expressway is called Lafayette St.  Go north
on Lafayette till you get to 5th St.  The church is on the NW corner.

 
Gretna United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Gretna 1309 Whitney   510  1896

 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.  

SOURCE:     Rev. Lewis Olmsted, Gretna United Methodist Church
   
How to Get There:     Take Belle Chasse Hwy south from the
Westbank Expressway.  Turn left onto Whitney Ave.  Shortly after
you pass Carol Sue Ave., the church will be on the right.

 
St. James United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Hahnville Pine St.  26

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, take Hwy 310 south, cross the
Miss. River, and exit onto Hwy 18.  OR ... From Hwy 90, take Hwy 310 
north and take the exit just before the bridge onto Hwy 18.  Turn
left onto Hwy 18.  In Hahnville, turn left onto Shaw.  Then turn 
right onto Pine.  The volunteer fire Dept. will be on the right, and
the church will be on the left.

 
First United Methodist Church of Kenner
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Kenner 1001 Moisant Dr.  287  1950

 The Kenner began with an organization meeting held in the home of Mr. & Mrs. W.H. Lester.  The first worship service was held in a laundromat at the corner of Airline Hwy and Moisant Dr. on Easter Sunday, 1950, and was led by Rev. R.H. Jamieson.  A portable organ was borrowed from Tulane University.
 The church was organized on May 3, 1950 with 25 charter members.  The T.L. James company bought a piece of land for the church.  Mr. George Williams donated $1000 to complete the deal.  The first building was the Fellowship Hall.  The first service was held there on Thanksgiving Day in 1950.  The congregation sat on "carpenters horses".  Ground was broken for the sanctuary on October 21, 1956, under the leadership of Rev. Dan Felder.  The sanctuary was completed in April, 1957 at a cost of $74,000.  
 By 1957, the Sunday School had grown to 500 members.  But tragedy struck on March 3, 1959.  The sanctuary and part of the education building burned down.  The organ and most of the church records were also destroyed.  By June of that same year, the damage had been repaired and the new education building was in use.  In 1982, the Kenner Adult Day Health Care Center was opened ... the only one of its kind in Jefferson Parish.

SOURCE:     "A Brief History of the Kenner United Methodist Church" by Gertrude Burke
   
How to Get There:     Take Williams Blvd. south past Airline Hwy.
Turn left when you get to 10th St.  Go down a couple of blocks.
The church will be on the left at the corner of 10th St. and Moisant.

 
Messiah / El Mesias United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Kenner 420 W. Esplanade  19

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     Take West Esplanade past the Esplanade
Shopping Center.  About a mile after the mall, the church will be
on the right at the corner of W. Esplanade and E. Loyola Dr.

 
Thomas United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Kenner 420 Webster  139

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:      Take Williams Blvd. south past Airline Hwy.
Turn left when you get to Kenner Ave. (which is a few hundred yards
from the levee).  Turn right onto Webster.  Cross the RR tracks.  The 
church is on the left, a couple of hundred yards down.

 
First United Methodist Church of LaPlace
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 LaPlace 612 Main St.  374

 The LaPlace church building was built as Lasseigne Memorial Methodist Church in October 1938 under the leadership of Rev. H.M. Wolfe.   It was destroyed by hurricane Betsy in 1965 and rebuilt the next year.

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:    Take Hwy 61 west out of New Orleans.  In
LaPlace, turn left onto Hwy 44 (also called Main St.).  You'll see
a Woodlawn Plantation Marker at the intersection.  Head south
until you pass the RR tracks.  The church is just ahead to the right. 

 
Luling United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Luling 1001 Paul Maillard Rd.  337  1954

 On the second Sunday in September, 1953, Rev. John T. Redmon led 7 people in a service at the American Legion building in Luling.  When the Lion Oil Company opened in town, interest in forming a Methodist church increased.  The decision to start the church was made on May 6, 1954.  There were 25 charter members, led by Rev. Virgil D. Morris.
 The first pastor appointed to the church was Rev. Roland K. Frederich in 1954.  Though they continued to meet in the American Legion building, a parsonage was purchased.  On April 20, 1955, land was donated for $1500 through the generosity of Mr. William, Edmund, and Benjamin Talbots.  In September 1955, a groundbreaking ceremony for the Fellowship Hall was led by Bishop Paul E. Martin.  This would be the first Methodist church on the west bank of St. Charles Parish.  In 1960, an education annex was constructed.  The old parsonage was sold, and a new one built on the church property.  
 In September of 1965, services were temporarily held in the Monsanto Recreation Hall when hurricane Betsy damaged the church.  In 1968, a second education annex was completed.  The present sanctuary was constructed in 1980-1981 and was consecrated on October 14, 1990.

SOURCE:     "A Brief History of Luling United Methodist Church" by Joanne Naylor.
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, take Hwy 310 south, cross the
Miss. River, and exit onto Hwy 18.  OR ... From Hwy 90, take Hwy 310 
north and take the exit just before the bridge onto Hwy 18.  Turn
right onto Hwy 18.  In Luling, turn right onto Paul Maillard Rd. (also
called Hwy 52).  After about .7 miles, the church will be on the left, 
just before the St. Charles Hospital's Emergency Entrance.

 
Munholland United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Metairie 1201 Metairie Rd.  1906  1936

 A series of meetings at the Metairie High School auditorium led to the organization of the Metairied Methodist Church on October 22, 1936.  There were 33 charter members, led by Rev. Jolly B. Harper.  
 One of the charter members, Susie May Munholland, gave her home at 232 Elmeer Place to be used as a parsonage for 22 years.  She also gave sacrificially to the church.  In 1938, the church was renamed Munholland Methodist in memory of her husband, Rev. C.T. Munholland.  He served as a Methodist circuit rider in Louisiana from 1882 to 1907.
 Construction began on September 1, 1938 on a two story brick education building.  Rev. Karl Tooke was pastor, contractor, foreman, carpenter, and laborer for the church.  By 1940, a new sanctuary was under construction.  A used pipe organ was installed in 1942.  The church pews were added in early 1943.  In 1957, a new education building was completed under the leadership of Rev. Edward W. Harris.  The church had to be repaired after being damaged by hurricane Betsy in 1965.  

SOURCE:     "Golden Jubilee, Some Highlights of the Past"
   
How to Get There:     Take the Metairie Rd. exit from I-10.  Head 
west on Metairie Rd.  The church is on the NW corner of 
Metairie Rd. and Elmeer Ave.

 
St. Matthew's United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Metairie 6017 Camphor St.  112  1957

 The first service for St. Matthew's was held on June 23, 1957 in a classroom at the St. Martin's Episcopal School in Metairie.  Thirty-two People joined the church that day.  The church was formally organized on August 11, 1957 with 126 members.  The congregation moved to the Airline Park Elementary School in September.  On March 13, 1858, the Methodist Church purchased property and a parsonage on Airline Park.
 On September 15, 1958, the congregation moved into its new church at the corner of Sandra and Camphor Streets.  The membership had increased to 249.  The next year, two wings of classrooms and the patio were extended.  The Day School began that year (1959), with 42 students.  
 In 1962, a new Baldwin organ was obtained, a new educational building was constructed, and the sanctuary was enlarged.  Membership had soared to 1066.  A pre-school wing was added in 1963 and a youth building in 1964.
 By 1969, membership had risen to over 1600.  St. Matthew's was then the largest church in the New Orleans District.
 On January 24, 1982, a Service of Consecration was held for the new sanctuary, built next to the old one.
 In 1993-94, the board adopted a long range plan for the mission of the church.  At the end of 1994, an endowment fund was established to ensure the long-term financial stability of the church.

SOURCE:     "A Brief History of St. Matthew's United Methodist Church"
   
How to Get There:     Turn south onto David Dr. from Veterans 
Mem. Blvd.  Take a left onto Camphor St.  The church is on the 
left, in between Sandra Ave. and Auburn.

 
First United Methodist Church of Algiers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Algiers 637 Opelousas  301  1843

 A Sunday School was begun at Algiers Point in 1840 by a Mr. Smiley.  A church was organized in 1843 by Rev. E.H. Watkins, pastor of the Moreau Street Church.  Land was donated in 1844 by J.B. Olivier and his wife Alix.  Citizens of Algiers contributed towards the church, and the Good Hope Chapel was built in April 1844 by Mr. Tuttle of McDonoughville.   The site is located about 300 feet beyond the levee into the river at a depth of 60-80 feet.  The chapel was incorporated and renamed Algiers Methodist Episcopal Church, South later that year.
 When the levee began to erode in the 1850's, land was purchased at the corner of Delaronde and Lavergne Streets.  A new, larger church was completed in 1857.  The steeple had a large gilded hand pointing upward.  The church was remodeled in 1868 and in 1898.  The church was destroyed by a 1915 hurricane.  Though a temporary church was recontructed at the site, the congregation planned on a new church on Opelousas St.  They had purchased two lots there back in 1914.  After the war, a new church was constructed and was dedicated on March 26, 1922
 The Dr. A.C. King Educational building was completed in 1955 to accomodate the growing congregation.  The  sanctuary was renovated in 1979.
 The church is still sometimes referred to as Algiers United Methodist Church.

SOURCE:     Through Stained Glass Windows: A Brief History of Algiers United Methodist Church (dropping the "First").
   
How to Get There:     Take the Gen. DeGaulle exit just after you cross
the Crescent Connection bridge.  Go west till you get to Franklin St.
Turn right and go to Opelousas.  Turn right and you'll see the church 
on the right after a couple of blocks.

 
Asbury United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Algiers 2725 Ernest  207  1868

 The Asbury congregation was organized in 1868 and a church was constructed.  The church was rebuilt in 1972 under the leadership of Rev. H.J. Rhyan.

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     From the Westbank Expressway, head south
until you get to Woodland Dr. (you can see the bridge just ahead).
Turn left and go to Gen. Meyer.  Take a right.  After less than a mile,
turn left onto Ernest.  The church will be on the left.

 
St. Matthew United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Algiers 1100 Verret  112

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     Take the Gen. DeGaulle exit just after you cross
the Crescent Connection bridge.  Go west till you get to Hancock St.
Turn right.  After almost a mile, you'll get to a "fork" ... take Verrret.
The church is a couple of blocks further, at the SE corner of  Verret 
and Diana.

 
Aurora United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Terrytown 3300 Eton  1025  1959

 In 1959, a small group of families met at Sam & Marie Jones' home to discuss the idea of establishing a Methodist church.  On June 7, 1959, there were 32 people on hand for the first worship service of Aurora Methodist Church in a small church on Gen. Meyer Ave.  After groundbreaking on April 24, 1960, the Aurora church was constructed by 1961 at the corner of Eton and Berkley.  Membership had increased from 90 charter members to 273 in only 2 years.
 The children's building was constructed in 1964.  In 1967, the sanctuary was expanded.  As the church grew, more space was needed.  So a new sanctuary and a Youth Building were constructed and were dedicated on May 18, 1989.  The original church, which was serving as a Fellowship Hall, was destroyed by fire in 1987.  A new Family Life Center was completed in May 1989.  

SOURCE:     "A History of Caring"
   
How to Get There:     Take the Gen. DeGaulle exit just after you cross
the Crescent Connection bridge.  After about a mile, turn left onto
MacArthur Blvd.  After a little more than a mile, turn right onto Eton St.
The church will be on the left about 3 blocks down, in between Sutton Pl.
and Berkley Dr.

 
Bethany United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 4533 Mendez St.  790  1950's

 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
   
How to Get There:     Go past the N.O. Baptist Seminary on 
Gentilly Blvd.  Turn left onto Press Dr.  Turn right onto Mendez
St.  Turn left at Piety.  The church is on the left.
 

 
Brooks United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 4000 Buchanan St.  240  1942

 Brooks United Methodist Church began as an outgrowth of the City Mission Church School under the leadership of Mrs. Edith Henry Keelen and Rev. B.F. Smith.    
 Edith Henry was only 16 years old when she asked the manager of her housing project if services could be held on Sundays.  The first "service", held on March 22, 1942, included Edith, two children, and the pastor.  Edith promised the children gifts if they would bring new children.  By August 25, there were 111 children enrolled in the church school. 
 On March 24, 1949, Rev. C.O. Greene was appointed to City Mission.  It was reorganized with 4 adults.  Rev. Greene supervised the building of the church, as well as the Lafon Old Folks Home on the same site.  The church was dedicated on January 18, 1959.  

SOURCE:     History of Brooks United Methodist Church, 1959
   
How to Get There:     Take the St. Bernard exit off of Hwy 610 and 
head north.  Turn left on Caton.  The church is on the SW
corner of Caton and Buchanan.

 
Carrollton United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 921 S. Carrollton  132  1885

 In the early 1870's, Mr. A.H. Aften began a Sunday School for children and young people.  Mr. Ahten, one of the early settlers of Carrollton, was from Ost Freesland, Germany.  The school progressed as an Epworth Mission, and later as an Epworth Church.  The church congregation dates to 1885, which was organized under the leadership of Rev. George A. Mandeville.  
 When the Rayne Memorial Church bought them a lot, Rev. Christian Keener designed, financed, and built a church on the site.  It was dedicated on February 14, 1886 by Bishop John C. Keener.  
 The present sanctuary was opened in May of 1914 and dedicated on February 29, 1920.  The old church was given to a black congregation, who used it till it burned down in the 1970's.
 The first education building was dedicated on April 14, 1929.  An addition was constructed and dedicated in 1944.    Expansion led to the construction of a new education building in 1954.

SOURCE:     Brief History of Carrollton United Methodist Church
   
How to Get There:     From the I-10, go west on S. Claiborne Ave.
Turn left onto S. Carrollton.  After about a mile, you'll get to
Freret (Note: Freret is one-way ... left to right).  The church is on
the corner past Freret on the left.

 
Metairie United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Metairie 3741 Pontiac St.  181  1953

 The Severn Methodist Church began on March 29, 1953 with 36 members.  The service, led by Rev. Dana Dawson, Jr., was held in the auditorium of Ella Dolhonde Elementary School at 219 Severn Avenue.  When Rev. Dawson was reappointed a few months later, leadership of the congregation was taken by Rev. Robert Jamieson, pastor at Munholland.  The congregation was later put onto a circuit with Felicity and pastored by Rev. John Winn.
 A two story duplex was purchased at 612 Severn Avenue.  The rooms were used as classrooms, and the basement served as the sanctuary.  The basement also doubled as a fellowship hall.  By 1958, the congregation had outgrown its home.  
 A 1 1/2 acre site was purchased at 3741 Pontiac St. and the name was changed to Metairie Methodist Church.  
 The first parsonage was located on Clearview Drive.  When the road became a major thoroughfare, the site was thought to be unsafe and a new parsonage was purchased at 5613 Ruth St.
 The Metaire United Methodist Church, sandwiched between two larger churches, has been referred to as the "Little Church With a Big Heart."

SOURCE:     Lynn Foil, Metairie United Methodist Church
   
How to Get There:     From Veterans Mem. Blvd. (about 1/2 mile 
west of the Lakeside Mall at Causeway Blvd.), turn south onto 
Turnbull Dr.  After one block, turn left onto Pontiac St.  The 
church will be on the left, opposite Jodie Pl. on the right.  

 
Cornerstone United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 5276 Bullard Ave.  419  1989

 The Cornerstone United Methodist Church began as the New Orleans East United Methodist Church in 1985.  In 1987, the St. Andrew's Church merged with it and the name was changed to Cornerstone in 1989.

SOURCE:     Cornerstone United Methodist Church
   
How to Get There:     From I-10 in New Orleans East, turn south
onto Bullard Blvd.  Just past Fernley Dr. (and before Notaway Lane)
the church will be on the right.

 
Felicity United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 1816 Chestnut St.  27  1850

 The Felicity Church arose from the merger of Steele Chapel, Andrew Chapel, and St. Mary's in the 1840's.  The original church was built in 1850, but burned down in 1887.  It was rebuilt in 1888.

SOURCE:     Felicity United Methodist Church
   
How to Get There:     From 1-10, go west on S. Claiborne Ave.
and turn left onto Jackson Ave.  Go down to St. Charles Ave.
and take a left.  After 4 blocks, turn right onto Felicity.  The church
is about 3 blocks down on the right.

 
First United Methodist Church of New Orleans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 3401 Canal St.  369  1825

 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 
   
How to Get There:     Take the Canal Blvd. exit from I-10 and head
south.  The street will turn to the left at the cemeteries.  You'll see
the church on the left, just before Jeff Davis Pkwy.

 
First Street United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 2309 Dryades @ First St.  972  1833

 About 1833, the Soule family gave a plot of land to be used for worship by the slave servants.  The Mission grew, so that it was accepted into the Mississippi Mission Conference as the FIrst Street Methodist Episcopal Church in 1865.  The 1866 Annual Conference was held there.  The first two buildings from 1867 were later destroyed ... one was demolished and one was destroyed by fire.  
 The present church was constructed in 1894 and was modeled after the Christ Church Cathedral on St. Charles Avenue.  Led by Rev. R.M. Davis, a parsonage and educational building were constructed in 1936.  
 In 1946, Rev. W.T. Handy, Sr. was in charge when two lots were purchased across the street for future expansion.  Under Rev. T.R.W. Harris, the church was renovated in 1952.  Another lot, next to the church on Dryades, was purchased in 1965 under the leadership of Rev. George W. Carter.

SOURCE:     Elma W. Pullet, Church Historian
   
How to Get There:     From 1-10, go west on S. Claiborne Ave.
and turn left onto 1st St.  The church is on the NE corner of
1st and Dryades.

 
Grace United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 2001 Iberville  169  1917

 Grace United Methodist Church can be traced back to the merger of two churches.  The day came when the children of Union Chapel were turned away  from Sunday School because children were not allowed in the Red District (where the church was located on Bienville St.).  So the leaders of the church met and decided to merge with the Pleasant Plain Methodist Church.  
 The Union Chapel congregation still wanted its own church, so the members soon found themselves meeting in another building by permission of the New Orleans Board.  Later, a discarded horse stable was used for services.  This was located on Derbigny St., between Bienville and Conti and cost them $8 per month.  
 When the Pleasant Plain church was destroyed by a 1915 hurricane, the two congregations found themselves joined once again.  Under the leadership of Rev. B.T. McEwen, the congregations joined together to build a new church.  A Miss Sarah Jones suggested the name "Grace," and it was accepted. On the fourth Sunday in April, 1917, the members marched from the stable to the "Little Cathedral."
 The church and parsonage have been renovated several times over the years, starting way back in 1921.  For example, new carpet was added about 1930, an organ, carillons, rest rooms, and a new garage were added in the 1940's, and a sound system and flags were added in the 1950's.  The church property  was severe damage by hurricane Betsy in 1965.  It took a while to repair everything, with the cornerstone for the educational building being laid in 1971.
 Under the leadership of Rev. N.H. Baker (1955-1961), major renovations were made.  The Fifty Club was formed and aided in raising funds for the church.  A piece of adjacent property was acquired and is now occupied by the educational building.  

SOURCE:     The History of Grace United Methodist Church
   
How to Get There:     Take the Canal Blvd. exit from I-10 and head
south.  The street will turn to the left at the cemeteries.  A couple of 
blocks after crossing Galvez, turn left onto N. Prieur (one-way street
to the left).  You'll get to Iberville after one block (one-way street to
the right).  The church is on the left at the corner.

 
Hartzell United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 2014 Caffin Ave.  230  1927

 The Hartzell church was organized in 1927.  After being damaged by hurricane Betsy, it was rebuilt in 1966.  In 1989, additions and renovations were made on the church.

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, go east on N. Claiborne Ave. 
(Hwy 39).  About 1/2 mile after crossing the Intercoastal, turn
left onto Caffin Ave.  (You'll see the Martin Luther King
Elementary School on the left at the intersection.)  Head north
on Caffin past N. Johnson.  The church will be on the left.

 
Haven United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 1238 Joliet @ Plum  185  1883

 Haven Methodist Episcopal Church, South was purchased from the Carrollton German Methodist Episcopal Church, South for $1000..  It was founded in 1883 under pastor Madison C. B. Mason.  Haven is named after Bishop Gilbert Haven (1821-1880).  On March 24, 1897, it was incorporated as Haven Methodist Episcopal Church of Carrollton, LA.   The cornerstone was laid on October 16, 1898.  
 On March 30, 1897, a parsonage was purchased for $830 at the corner of Jefferson and Plum Streets.  The church was renovated in 1909 under the leadership of Rev. Pierre Landry..  After a dispute among the membership in 1911, the congregation split.  Part of the membership left to form the St. Paul A.M.E. Church.  
 After years of growth, the old church was torn down in 1927 and replaced with a stucco structure at a cost of $12,000.  Over the years, many improvements have been made by the hard work and donations of its members.  The current building was rededicated on February 13, 1983 under the leadership of Rev. R.L. Jones.
 Five ministers and one local preacher have come out of Haven.

SOURCE:     History of Haven United Methodist Church
   
How to Get There:     From the I-10, go west on S. Claiborne Ave.
Turn left onto S. Carrollton.  After about 10 blocks, turn right at
Willow.  Go 4 blocks and turn left on Joliet.  The church is on the
right at the corner of Plum and Joliet.

 
Jefferson United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Metairie 3828 Leila Place  158  1947

 In 1946, a group of concerned mothers organized a Sunday School that met at Deckbar School.  In December of 1947, a group of people began meeting in the home of Mrs. Emile Wagner.  The group was organized as the Deckbar Methodist Church and was pastored by Rev. Ed Barksdale.  The first quarterly conference listed 15 members.  The congregation moved to an Army barracks on Clairmont St.  in late 1948.  It was owned by Mr. George Hingle and was brought here from Mississippi.  At the first board meeting, the name of the church was changed to Jefferson.  
 That same month, in December 1948, the church's present property on Leila Place was purchased.  A church was soon constructed and the first service held there on April 2, 1950.  A two story Sunday School building was completed in February of 1952.  In 1953, the sanctuary was enlarged.  
 A parsonage was purchased in 1957 at 700 W. Jefferson Park.  The parsonage was renovated in 1958.  The sanctuary was remodeled in 1960.  In 1968, a new parsonage was purchased at 527 Jefferson Park Avenue.

SOURCE:     Jefferson United Methodist Church, A Brief History
   
How to Get There:     From Hwy 90 (Clearview), just north of the
Huey P. Long bridge, head east on Jefferson Hwy.  You'll see
Riverdale Middle School on the right and there will be a Julius Ave.
on the left.  Turn left onto Julius.  The church will be just ahead 
on the right.

 
John Wesley United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 3625 N. Galvez  34

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, go east on N. Claiborne Ave. 
(Hwy 39).  About 1/2 mile after crossing some RR tracks, turn
left onto Independence.  Head north to N. Galvez.  The church
will be at the NW corner of N. Galvez and Independence.

 
Korean United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 3900 St. Charles Ave.  38

 The Korean United Methodist Church currently meets in the Hannah Chapel at Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church.

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, head west on S. Claiborne Ave.
Turn left onto Gen. Taylor.  When you get to St. Charles, you'll see
the church on the right at the SW corner.

 
LaHarpe United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 1823 LaHarpe St.  167  1866

 Soon after the end of the Civil War, the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of New York purchased land from Joseph Chevalier for $570.  The land was made up of two lots bound by Roman, Prieur, LaHarpe, and Lapeyrouse Streets.  The church was led by W. Scott Chinn when it was founded in 1866.  He also pastored the church for two other tenures over the next decade.  Some even called it Scott Chinn's church.  The members of the new church even helped to clear the ground to hasten the construction of the church.  By 1867, there were 70 members on the roll.  The church had been built and was valued at $3700.  
 From 1874 to 1904, the church had its share of problems.  Not only was money scarce, but the church burned down twice.  After the 1904 fire, C.D. Crockett supervised the reconstruction, but finding the funds was difficult.
 Many new members were added in the early 20th century.  The church school had grown to 30 members.  Four of the students worked on a plan to increase attendance.  Soon, the enrollment grew to over 100 members.
 By the 1930's, the church was actively working on paying off its debt.  But the 1930's were lean years, and it went slowly.  Membership declines in the 30's and 40's; some feel this was because of the money situation.  In the 1940's, the Board of Missions stepped in to pay off the church's debts when creditors threatened to sell off the church.  The Board of Missions was repaid in 1947-48.  T.E. Elroy came up with the idea of selling blocks for $100 each.  Enough was raised to pay off the debt and put some on the parsonage building fund.  The mortgage was burned in 1948.
 The church finally built a parsonage in the 1950's.  They used the money they had saved and $1000 from the Board of Missions.
 Under the dircetion of Rev. Andrew Douglas, who arrived in 1968, a $10,000 renovation was done on the church.  Improvements included carpeting, new ceiling tiles, a carillion, air conditioning, and so on.  A lounge and pastor's study were built in the basement.  In 1975-76, the church purchased a piano and an organ.  
 
SOURCE:     History of LaHarpe United Methodist Church
   
How to Get There:     Take the St. Bernard Ave. exit from Hwy 610.  
Head south for a little over a mile.  Turn right on N. Roman (one-way
street to the right).  Turn right onto LaHarpe (one-way street to
the right).  The church is on the right.

 
Thompson United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 1023 St. Roch Ave.  177  1867

 The Greater Thompson Methodist Episcopal Church was organized on July 2, 1867 and incorporated on November 16, 1899.  The church was remodeled in 1928.

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     Take the Elysian Fields Ave. exit from I-10 and
head south.  Turn left onto St. Claude Ave.  Turn right onto St. Roch
Ave. (one-way street to the right).  The church is on the left.

 
Lake Vista United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 6645 Spanish Fort Blvd.  303

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     Take the Canal Blvd. exit off of Hwy 610 
and head north.  After almost 2 miles, turn right onto Robert E.
Lee Blvd.  After about a mile, you'll see City Park on the right.
Turn left when you get to Spanish Fort Blvd.  When the street 
comes to a fork, turn right.  The church will be just ahead.

 
Mount Zion United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 2700 Louisiana Ave.  1104  1870

 The Mount Zion church was organized in 1870.  The present church was built in 1952 under the leadership of Rev. Robert D. Hill.

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, take S. Claiborne Ave. west.
Turn left onto Louisiana Ave. After a couple of blocks, you'll
get to Magnolia. The church is at the NW corner of 
Louisiana Ave. and Magnolia.

 
Napoleon Avenue United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 2524 Napoleon Ave.  87

 The cornerstone is dated 1921.

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, take S. Claiborne Ave. west.
Turn left onto Napoleon Ave.  Head south about 4 blocks.
The church is on the SW corner of S. Robertson and
Napoleon Ave.

 
Parker Memorial United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 1130 Nashville Avenue  50

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, take S. Claiborne Ave. west.  Turn
left onto Jefferson Ave.  Go past St. Charles Ave.  Turn right on
Perrier.  After 4 blocks, the church will be on the SW corner of
Perrier and Nashville.

 
Peck United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 3631 Washington Ave.  261

 The present church was built in 1955.  Rev. William R. London, Jr. was pastor at that time.

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, take S. Claiborne Ave. west.
Turn right onto Washington Ave.  After about 7 blocks, the church
will be on the right, at the SE corner of Washington Ave. and
S. Tonti.

 
Peoples United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 2001 Simon Bolivar  96

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, take S. Claiborne Ave. west.  Turn
left onto Martin Luther King Dr.  Then turn right onto Simon Bolivar. 
After about 3 blocks, the church will be on the right, at the corner of
Simon Bolivar and St. Andrew.

 
Philips Memorial United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 3236 Burdette St.  182

 The present church was built in 1958.

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, take S. Claiborne Ave. west
to S. Carrollton Ave.  Turn right and go down about 1/2 a mile.
Turn right onto Forshey.  After about 3 blocks, the church will
be on the right, at the corner of Forshey and Burdette.

 
Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 3900 St. Charles Ave.  747  1875

 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.  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.
 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
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, head west on S. Claiborne Ave.
Turn left onto Gen. Taylor.  When you get to St. Charles, you'll see
the church on the right at the SW corner.

 
Ross United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Metairie 409 S. Causeway Blvd.  48

 The present church was remodeled in 1956 under the leadership of Rev. C.D. Small.

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, take the Causeway Blvd. exit 
and head south.  Just before the River, the road will exit onto
Jefferson Hwy.  Get back on Causeway and keep heading 
towards the River.  Two blocks south of Jefferson Hwy. is 
Arlington St.  The church is on the left between Arlington and
Sundorn.

 
Williams United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 7510 Pearl  75

 The E. Williams Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in 1870.  The cornerstone was laid in 1887, while Rev. B. Duncan was in charge.

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, take S. Claiborne Ave. west.  
Turn left onto Audubon Blvd.  Go to St. Charles Ave. and turn
right.  After about 6 blocks, turn left onto Cherokee St.  The first
street you get to is Pearl.  The church is on the SW corner of
Pearl and Cherokee St.

 
St. Luke's United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 5875 Canal Blvd.  248

 The present church was constructed in 1957 under the leadership of Rev. W. Spencer Wren.

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     From Hwy 610, take the Canal Blvd exit and
head north.  The first street above Hwy 610 is Kenilworth St.  The 
church is just past Kenilworth on the right.

 
St. Mark's United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 1130 N. Rampart St.  12  1909

 In 1909, the work of the Mary Werlein Mission moved to Esplanade Ave. and was called St. Marks Hall.  Out of this project, a "Church of Nations" emerged and was called St. Marks Methodist Church.  The property on N. Rampart was purchased in 1916 and the buildings dedicated in 1924.  The church and community center, though separate, shared the facilities.  The church was supported for many years by the Board of Missions.  Under Rev. Robert Jamieson, he church became self-supporting in 1946.  Rev. Jamieson's "parsonage" was a 5 room apartment on the 3rd floor of the community center.
 In 1954, St. Marks was incorporated and a Board of Trustees appointed.  After a bit of a search, a parsonage was finally purchased in 1955 on Alvar St.   The parsonage situation created controversy in 1960, when the pastor moved his family to a rented house elsewhere due to public school assignments.  A new parsonage was purchased at 4701 Stephen Girard. in Gentilly Woods.  
 Since the 1960's, membership has been on the decline.  Members were moving away from the inner city, some due to marriage, some due to retirement, and some for other reasons.  The situation got so bad, that the congregation passed a resolution in 1972 requesting that the congregation be dissolved.
 In 1972, the church's first black minister, Rev. Edward Kennedy, was appointed ... the first and only (at that time) black minister to be appointed to a white church in Louisiana.  St. Marks increased its emphasis in  reaching the community.  When David Billings, director of the Community Center, also became pastor of the church, membership grew as St. Marks began to respond to the needs of the community.  
 When membership declined in the 1980's, St. Marks was put into an alliance with two other churches.  This didn't work out, so they were "separated" in 1989.

SOURCE:     "The St. Mark's Family: A Story of Change"
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, take N. Claiborne Ave. east.  Turn
right onto Ursuline.  Take a left onto N. Rampart St.  The church will
be on the right at the corner of N. Rampart and Gen. Nicholls.

 
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Metairie 6500 Jefferson Hwy.  202  1941

 A group of Methodists met on October 24, 1941 to form a new church.  An organizational meeting was held at the Harahan City Hall.  The charter for the Harahan Methodist Church was validated on November 9, 1941.  Rev. Karl Tooke, pastor at Munholland, became the first pastor.  Due to the war, building materials were hard to come by.  The congregation met in the city hall for about 3 years.  Using materials from a building damaged by fire, the first church was build and was dedicated on November 10, 1945.  The first full-time pastor was Rev. Robert Jamieson.  
 A new sanctuary was build in 1952 and the old one was demolished.  The congregation of 50 persons met at the Harahan Recreation Center during construction.  An educational building was constructed in 1954.  The name was changed to St. Paul's Methodist Church that year.
 In 1956, the parsonage was moved from 663 Grove St. to 128 Magnolia Blvd.  In 1976, a new parsonage was acquired at 59 Donelon Dr. in Harahan.  
 A new sanctuary was completed in 1961.  The 1952 sanctuary is being used as the Fellowship Hall.

SOURCE:     A History of St. Paul's United Methodist Church
   
How to Get There:     From Hwy 90/Clearview, turn west onto 
Jefferson Hwy.  After about a mile, the Hwy makes a sharp right
turn, and then a sharp left turn.  At the left turn, there is a gas
station on the left.  Just past the gas station, on the left, is the church.
You can turn left at Chrislaur.
 

 
St. Philip United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 2536 Annette  59

 The present church was built in 1935, with Rev. C.B. Small as pastor and builder.  The church was remodeled in 1966.

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     From Hwy 610, exit at Elysian Fields and
head south.  After about 1/2 mile, turn right only Dorgenois.  Go 
5 blocks and turn right onto Annette.  The church is on the left.

 
Shaw Temple United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 8819 Marks St.  68

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:     Exit I-10 at Airline Hwy / Tulane Ave. and
head west on Airline.  Just a few hundred yards west of I-10 will
be Eagle.  Turn right onto Eagle.  After passing Judah P. Benjamin
Public School on the left, you'll get to Marks St.  Turn left onto
Marks St. and the church will be on the right.

 
Trinity United Methodist Church of Gentilly
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 Gentilly 2221 Filmore   151  1984

 Much as the United Methodist Church today is a combination of many groups, the Trinity United Methodist Church has came out of several organizations.  
 In 1840, a group of mission workers started services in half of a double house on Spain Street.  After 2 years, a church was built at the corner of Dauphine and Piety Streets.  A new church was built in 1854 at the corner of Chartres and Almonaster.  In 1899, the Spain Street and Second German Missions joined and became the Burgundy Street Methodist Church.  In 1906, the old German building was torn down.  Services were temporarily held at Spain and Rampart Streets.  A new church, the Second Methodist Church, was completed by the summer of 1907 and dedicated on February 2, 1913.  The pastor at this time was Rev. A.I. Townsley.
 After a planning meeting on November 1, the first service of Elysian Fields Methodist Church was held on November 12, 1948 at George Lambert's Plumbing Shop.  The sermon was delivered by Bill Matthews.  On April 4, 1949, the growing congregation moved to Pitt Theater.  Construction started on the sanctuary at 2221 Filmore Avenue in 1953 and was completed in the summer of 1957.   On June 17, 1984, the Elysian Fields Methodist Church merged with the Second United Methodist Church to become the Trinity Methodist Church.  The combined membership was 224 ... 192 from Elysian Fields and 32 from Second.  The pastor of Elysian Fields, Rev. Mickey D. Stringfield, became the first pastor of the merged congregations.
 The Gentilly Methodist Church began meeting in an apartment on Wisteria St. around 1930.  Rev. Ira Flowers was the first pastor.  A church was built.  In 1936, the church was dismantled and rebuilt at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Wisteria Street.  Rev. A.W. Townsend, pastor at that time, called it "The Little Chapel of the Golden Windows."
 On June 1, 1992, under the leadership of Dr. Richard Stiltner, the Gentilly and Trinity United Methodist Churches merged to become the Trinity United Methodist Church of Gentilly.

SOURCE:     Trinity United Methodist Church; Margaret R. Vest
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, take the Elysian Fields exit and
head north.  After about 1.5 miles, you will turn right at Filmore Ave.
After about a block, the church will be on the left, at the corner of
Filmore and Marigny.

 
Trinity United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 1028 Valence  96  1912

 Simpson Chapel was organized in 1869 on Camp St.  It was later moved to Coliseum St., and then to its present location on Valence St.  It served Dillard University.  By 1900, membership stood at 242 and there were 220 on the Sunday School rolls.  In 1913, the name of the church was changed to Trinity.

 HISTORY NOT SUBMITTED   
   
How to Get There:   From I-10, take S. Claiborne west.  Turn
left at Napolian Avenue and head south to St. Charles Ave.  
Turn right onto St. Charles Ave. and go down 3 blocks.  Turn
left onto Valence.  After 5 blocks, you will reach Chestnut.  
The church is on the SW corner of Valence and Chestnut.  

 
Wesley United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 New Orleans 2517 Jackson Ave.  57  1838

 The Wesley congregation dates back to 1838.  It has been called the Mother Church for Louisiana black congregations.
 The cornerstone on the church says Mt. Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, built in 1873.

SOURCE:     Wesley United Methodist Church
   
How to Get There:     From I-10, take S. Claiborne Ave. west.  Turn
left onto Jackson Ave.  After 3 blocks, you will get to Magnolia.  The
church is on the left, just past Magnolia.

 
United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 City Address 1996 Membership Founded
 

 The

SOURCE:     
   
How to Get There: