Wesley UMC celebrates 150 years of ministry
February 25, 2016
This year, Wesley United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge will celebrate 150 years of ministry as a congregation.
According to church history, Wesley’s first church building was constructed in 1866 when newly emancipated slaves “removed themselves from the balcony of First Methodist Church,” then located at Laurel and Fourth Streets. Church forefathers built the first Wesley church themselves, cutting down trees which they floated on the Mississippi River to the foot of Government Street. This modest wooden structure was destroyed by a storm in 1882. A second structure, which was ultimately destroyed by fire, actually housed the area’s first public school for African Americans. Blunden School and Orphanage for homeless children had its beginnings in the building.
Although another brick building served the church for many years, today’s structure was completed in 1966.
As part of this 150th anniversary celebration, Wesley’s United Methodist Men are sponsoring a fashion show on March 19. The event will be held at 4 p.m. in the Catholic Life Center, 1800 S. Acadian Thruway in Baton Rouge. Tickets are $20 until March 13 and $25 after March 13. The show will feature models wearing fashions representing the years from 1866-2016. For tickets, call the church at (225) 343-8421.
Pictured below are Wesley UMC's current building, left, and Wesley's old brick sanctuary.
