Biography

Evangeline United Methodist Church (Baton Rouge, La.) began in 1990 with the merger of three discontinued congregations in Baton Rouge: Istrouma United Methodist Church, North Baton Rouge United Methodist Church, and Winbourne United Methodist Church. Evangeline UMC was located at 4260 Evangeline Street, the former site of North Baton Rouge UMC. Evangeline UMC closed in 2001. In 2002, Hope Community United Methodist Church began using the facility originally occupied by Evangeline UMC.

Istrouma Methodist Episcopal Church South (Baton Rouge, La.) was founded in 1917 in the 2900 block of Scenic Highway under the sponsorship of the First Methodist Episcopal Church South (Baton Rouge, La.). Istrouma’s first building was destroyed by fire in 1924, after which the location was changed to 3100 Scenic Highway. Another frame building was erected during the pastorage of Rev. C. E. McLean. Under the leadership of Rev. W. H. Royal, this building was torn away and a block building erected in November 1938. In 1952, a brick sanctuary was begun by Rev. J. T. Harris and occupied in February 1953. In 1990, Istrouma United Methodist Church was discontinued. Source: Istrouma Methodist Church commemorative plate (World Wide Art Studios, Covington, Tennessee, circa 1955).

North Baton Rouge UMC formed in 1942 and began meeting at the North Highlands School. In 1944, the congregation converted a home into a church building at the corner of Evangeline and Wildwood Streets. In the late 1940s, the church moved nearby to 4260 Evangeline Street. In 1990, the church was discontinued.

Winbourne UMC began in 1946. Members initially met in a tent, then a mobile home. In the late 1940s, the congregation transferred a small chapel from Walker, Louisiana, to serve as their first church building. In the 1950s, a new sanctuary was constructed at 4643 Winbourne Avenue. In 1990, the church was discontinued.

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