History

First UMC New Iberia's sanctuary

The sanctuary of First United Methodist Church

Our First United Methodist Church, of which we are so proud, has a long history in New Iberia.

The first time a Methodist service was held in New Town, as New Iberia was then called, was January 7, 1823.  Two itinerant Methodist preachers from Mississippi called “circuit riders” traveled into town on mule-back looking for a place to hold preaching services.  But they were frustrated in their attempts to locate a place to hold the worship services.  They were even denied the use of the town hall, as well as each residence they visited.  One pastor, Rev. Benjamin M. Drake (a descendant of Sir Francis Drake), said that they were turned away “not so much from opposition as from indifference.”

Disheartened, the pair was about to leave town when they spied a two-masted, squared-sailed vessel called a New England brig, lying in the Bayou Teche.  The ship had slowly kedged its way up the bayou from the gulf, trading in Yankee notions along the way.  The curious pastors made their way to the boat where they met the captain, a burly kind-faced gentleman from Providence, Rhode Island, named Gladding.  The circuit riders learned that Captain Gladding was “a whole-hearted Methodist” and that all of his crew were Methodists as well.  It was there on board the ship, in the captain’s cabin, that the captain himself began singing an old hymn: “Whither Thou Goest Pilgrim Stranger.”  The preachers and the ship’s crew soon chimed in, and by the time they reached the chorus, “I am bound for the kingdom; will you go to glory with me,” much of New Town’s astonished population was  lining the  shore!  After the hymn singing, prayers were prayed by the Methodist preachers and the captain himself.  Ten citizens of the town expressed a desire to become Methodists.

The first attempt at organizing and establishing a Methodist church here was in 1839.  Early meetings were held in a barrel factory located near the corner of French and Main Streets.  Later, the congregation used a building located at French and Washington Streets.  In 1858, a lot was purchased on the corner of Iberia and Washington Streets; in 1859 a frame building was erected on the site.  The church was dedicated in March, 1860.  In 1890, the church and the parsonage were completely destroyed by fire.  In 1891, the present sanctuary was built on the corner of Jefferson and St. Peter Streets.  While the church was being built, services were conducted in an opera house on Main Street.  In 1907, fire again struck the church; and services were held in the Jewish Temple until the rebuilding was completed.

In 1991, the church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as being recognized as a Methodist Historical Site.

In 1998, members celebrated the 175th Anniversary of Methodism in New Iberia.  In February of that year, members commemorated the first church service held by holding services aboard a sailing vessel named the “Nina” which was moored along the banks of Bayou Teche.

Church Chronology

  • 1823 – First Methodist church services in New Iberia (then New Town) were conducted aboard a sailing vessel in the Bayou Teche.  Ten citizens of the town expressed a desire to join the Methodist Church.
  • 1839 – The first organized Methodist Church and Sunday School were established.  Services  were conducted in a small building on the corner of French and Washington Streets.
  • 1858 – The first Methodist Episcopal Church South of New Iberia was incorporated.
  • 1860 – New Iberia’s first Methodist church building was dedicated.  The structure was located on the corner of Iberia and Washington Streets.
  • 1865 – The close of the Civil War brought many Methodist settlers to New Iberia.
  • 1868 – The 23rd Session of the Louisiana Methodist Annual Conference was held in New Iberia.
  • 1890 – The church, the parsonage and all furnishings of both buildings were completely destroyed by fire.
  • 1891 – The present church (made of handmade bricks) was built on the corner of Jefferson and St. Peter Streets.
  • 1907 – Fire again struck the church.  Services were held in the Jewish Temple until the rebuilding was completed.  After the 1907 fire, the exterior was covered with stucco.
  • 1913 – The church started the first Boy Scout Troop in the Acadiana area.
  • 1917 – A home on the adjoining property of the church was purchased for a parsonage.
  • 1920 – The first lending library in Iberia Parish was started at the church.  This later became the Iberia Parish Library system.
  • 1923 – A centennial celebration was held to celebrate 100 years of Methodism in New Iberia.
  • 1930 – The church initiated the Community Concert Series.
  • 1939 – Construction was begun on the church’s first educational building.
  • 1942 – The Educational Building was dedicated at a Sunday service.
  • 1948 – A new parsonage was constructed on the property adjoining the church.
  • 1952 – Renovations were done on the sanctuary and the church educational facilities were enlarged.
  • 1960 – Ground was broken for a new Educational Building on newly acquired property on Jefferson Street adjoining the church.  The building was dedicated in 1961.
  • 1971 – The church provided free space  for the start-up of the Mental Health Clinic.
  • 1973 – The Methodist Church of New Iberia celebrated its 150th Anniversary.
  • 1985 – Renovations were begun on the sanctuary and grounds.  The following year, a home was donated to the church for the church parsonage.
  • 1991 – The church celebrated the Church Sanctuary Centennial.  A service was held in October to honor this 100th Anniversary.
  • 1991 – First United Methodist Church of New Iberia was placed on the National Register of Historic Places; the church was also listed as a Methodist Historical Site.
  • 1997 – The church acquired the Taylor Drug Store property located on St. Peter Street, to expand its mission outreach.  The Drug Court Program is currently housed in this facility.
  • 1998 – The church celebrated 175 years of Methodism in New Iberia.
  • Today – First UMC New Iberia is an active and vibrant community of faith with close ties to the community.