First United Methodist Church (New Iberia, La.)
Biography
First United Methodist Church was located at 119 Jefferson Street, New Iberia, Louisiana.
The first recorded church services in New Iberia occurred in 1823 when Rev. Benjamin Drake held services from a sailing vessel in Bayou Teche. He later held services in private homes. The church was organized in 1839 and a Sunday School was established. The first meetings were held in a barrel factory. Later, services were held in a small building on the corner of French and Washington Streets. The New Iberia Methodist Church was officially incorporated and a church was built in 1858. The membership at that time was 125. The new church, on the comer of Washington and Iberia Streets, was dedicated two years later. A parsonage (one of only eighteen in Louisiana) was also provided.
On May 24, 1890, the congregation was devastated when the church and parsonage were both destroyed by fire. On August 8, 1890, a lot was purchased on the corner of Jefferson and West Saint Peter Streets. While funds were raised for a new church, services were held in an opera house. Although the sanctuary was completed in 1892, the church, which cost $14,000, was dedicated on February 5, 1893. The new church was struck by fire in 1907, but it was soon repaired. The congregation met at the Jewish Synagogue until the building was repaired. The church membership at this time was 300.
In 1939, work began on the educational building, which was completed in 1942. In 1948, work was begun on a new parsonage, which was first occupied by Rev. Charles McLean in 1950 and dedicated in 1952.
By 1950, the church membership had grown to 800 and a second morning worship service was added. The sanctuary was renovated and the educational space was added. In 1954, additional property was purchased on Jefferson Street to accommodate the growing Sunday School. Another educational building was constructed soon after. The sanctuary was renovated again in 1969. In 1978, a lot was purchased across the street from the church for use as a parking area. In 1986, Mr. and Mrs. B. E. Fox, Sr. bought a home and donated it to the church to be used as the new parsonage.
In 1984, Saint Martinville United Methodist Church (Saint Martinville, La.) merged with the First United Methodist Church (New Iberia, La.).
In 1986, New Iberia celebrated 150 years of Methodism. In 1987, church facilities were renovated and a new parking lot was added. Two years later, the church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1991, the Sanctuary Centennial Celebration was held.
First United Methodist Church disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church in 2022.
Source: Timothy Hebert, “The Historical Register of the Louisiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church,” (Louisiana: Louisiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, 2004), pages AC-35.