CHURCH HISTORY

First United Methodist Church - Thibodaux

City

Thibodaux, Louisiana

Address

 1255 Canal Blvd.

2004 Membership

 213

Date Founded

 1832; 1840s; 1948

    In 1832, Rev. Benjamin Coxe was appointed to the Lafourche Mission.  At that time, Thibodaux was the largest town in the Lafourche area; so it probably served as the headquarters for Rev. Coxe.  The church journal states that the sacraments were administered at the courthouse in Thibodaux.  The membership along the circuit consisted of 20 whites and 20 blacks.  Several preachers were appointed at different times over the next decade or so.  Services were held in the courthouse until the late 1840's, when construction began on a church building.  
     The Thibodaux church was the largest Methodist church in the area.  It had a 50' tall steeple that could be seen from far away.  The church had seating space for 300 people.  It was dedicated on September 24, 1851.  Although built on a back street, it was moved to Jackson Street in September.  Later that year, in December, the 6th session of the Louisiana Annual Conference was held in Thibodaux.   
     In 1852, Rev. Robert Harp arrived to find a charge consisting of 64 white and 62 black members.  He organized the first Sunday School at Thibodaux when he arrived.  It is Rev. Harp that started the only church journal of Methodism in the area for the 19th century.  That journal is now in the Conference Archives.  
     For the next 20-30 years, the church was usually served by a pastor.  Some years, no one could be found to serve the charge.  At times, the circuit extended from Berwick to Donaldsonville.  The last entry in the church journal comes in 1889.  Rev. James Matthew Henry was appointed to the Thibodaux circuit for that year.  He found a church and six remaining members.  After E.T. Denson was appointed in 1891, Thibodaux disappears from the records.  Finally, the church was sold.  The old church's location is now marked by a parking lot for an auto dealer.
     In 1948, a group of men set up to reestablish the church.  While funds were raised and construction occurred, they held services at the Episcopal Church.  The new church was completed under the leadership of Rev. John Redmond and dedicated in 1950.  A farm house was donated to the church and moved to the church property to be used as a parsonage.  In 1954, the educational building was built.  Two years later, in 1956, a two-story Fellowship Hall was build by members of the church.  In 1978, the old parsonage was turned into classroom space and a new parsonage was purchased.  Later, in 1991, the old parsonage was removed to make room for a new Fellowship Hall.
 
Source:  Methodism Along the Bayou, Timothy Hebert
How to Get There:
     Head into Thibodaux via Hwy 1.  In the middle of downtown, you will turn south on Canal Blvd.  The church is about 12 blocks down on your left.
 

 

A Short Church History

1948-present

Our church as it is today was formed in the Post WW II years of the late forties. There were several Methodist families in this area that had affiliated with other denominations, but longed for the familiar order of worship, the old favorite hymns and the caring, sharing, closeness that is cherished by Methodists. 


Casual conversations between these folks usually got around to someone asking if it was feasible to establish a church in Thibodaux. These conversations became more and more specific and soon the question of procedure came up. Dr. H. L. Johns, the District Superintendent of the New Orleans District, met with the group and outlined what steps had to be taken and in what order. 


Armed with hard facts, limited resources, and a powerful Faith in God, a church was formed, consecrated, and today you see the result of a dream that became a reality. We have been blessed by GOD and we pray that His blessings continue to be upon us. 


JHR

 

Below is an article which appeared in the publication of the Louisiana Annual Conference, Louisiana NOW, on April 13, 2001. We will be paying off the note on the mentioned property in January 2006. We are currently planning a new Worship Center and hope to begin construction in late 2008 or early 2009. These dates are not far from the projections made in the article. A design contract has been signed with Allen Contractors of Rayville, LA and plans should be available for viewing in April or May 2008.

 

This article appeared in the Louisiana Annual Conference publication “LA Now” on April 13, 2001.

 

 FIELD OF DREAMS

 

First UMC, Thibodaux finds fertile soil for new campus in cane field.

 

The famed movie quote, “If you build it, they will come,” seems prophetic for Rev. Wybra Price and the members of First United Methodist Church, Thibodaux.  His congregation’s “field of dreams” consists of 19.249 acres purchased on North Canal Boulevard, which are dedicated as the future home of First UMC's new facilities.

 

Although construction of a new complex is three to five years away, planning has already begun to ensure effective use of space, time and finances.

 

First UMC is an historic faith community, with baptismal records dating back to the 1800’s.  At the time, the church building was hailed as the “tallest building in town.”  Ironically, there are no written records reflecting the existence of the congregation around the turn of the century.  Immediately after World War II, First UMC experienced a rebirth with the founding of its modern day congregation.

 

Today’s members are faced with the challenge of having inadequate space to serve its membership and the community.  The charming, 53-year-old church sanctuary, situated on less than one acre of land, seats only 120 worshippers.  First UMC is home to 140 families, so both the early and late services are usually full.  “We realize that it may be necessary to introduce a third service before the move is actually made in order to accommodate everyone,” said Dr. Grace Monk, chair of the Administrative Council.

 

That same plot of land houses a multi-purpose office building and preschool, known as the “Little School.”  “The preschool is probably our most significant ministry to the community at large.  Little School has been in existence for 24 years, and is one of the most popular preschools serving the people of Thibodaux.  It says a lot when close to 70 percent of the students are not members of the church.  Our program really does provide an important outreach,” said Price.

 

Church leaders have recognized First UMC’s growing space problem for some time.  “Not only is our sanctuary too small, but the preschool cannot expand its facilities because we are essentially land-locked,” said Bill Cain, lay leader.  The sanctuary faces a busy boulevard with the office and preschool situated to the side and rear of the church.  The complex is tightly situated between an orthodontist’s office to one side, and a dry cleaner on the other.  “We actually have only 15 parking spaces in our small lot.  If it weren’t for the generosity of our neighbors, there would be no where for people to park on Sunday morning.” said Monk.

 

Bill Cain chaired the Vision Committee, which took a year-long look at the space situation.  The committee was charged with developing an effective solution to the problem after carefully weighing every option.  At all times during the process, the committee was dedicated to maintaining a vision for the future of the church’s ministry.

 

“We looked at the possibility of adding space by acquiring surrounding property.  At one point, the house situated behind our complex went on the market.  It sold for $125,000.  We realized that the cost of buying the property and demolishing the house sitting on it was too costly for the amount of land we would receive.  A similar concern existed with a building we considered buying across the street,” said Cain.

 

The committee looked at the possibility of the preschool “building up” by adding a second story.  “Again, this plan just didn’t solve all the problems, because it did not address the parking space issue,” said Cain.

 

By using Percept information, the Vision Committee was able to determine that the growth area of Thibodaux was in the northern part of the city.  They also determined that First UMC was already a regional church, not merely a neighborhood-centered church.  “No member lived within a mile of First UMC, so people were not walking to church.  Most members were driving in from distances up to 15 miles away.  This just reinforced the concern that the church did not have adequate parking.  Looking at the situation from every angle, we began to realize that a move was the most practical solution,” said Monk.

 

With District Superintendent Terry Willis present, the church voted to acquire the land on April 9.  On Jan. 3l, the close of sale was passed on the property which is located 1.8 miles away from the existing church.

 

There is much planning and work left to be done before First UMC’s building project is finished.  “We are looking into hiring a consultant who will make recommendations on what step to take next.  We may be advised to build a multi-purpose building initially, or we may move the preschool first.  It is not likely that a complete move will take place all at one time, so a plan must be developed to decide the steps that are necessary and when they should be taken.  The sale of our current facility won’t take place as long as we are still using facilities on this piece of property,” said Price.

 

An elderly member of First UMC made a comment to his pastor that continues to inspire Price.  “This gentleman told me, ‘Although I may not be around to see the finished product, I know that we build this new church facility not for ourselves, but for our children, our grandchildren and the community.’”