Tuesday, September 07, 2010
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FUMC Builds Youth Center FUMC began a series of campaigns in 1946 to raise money for a new Youth Building. Once the necessary funds were raised, architect A. Hays Town, who would later gain fame for his residential architecture, was hired to design the Youth Building. Construction began in 1950 and in two years the Methodist Youth Center was ready for use. Members of the Board of Stewards pose for a photograph before a meeting, October 30, 1949, in front of the "Temporary Youth Center."
FUMC Sanctuary 1949 Members pose for a photograph on the steps in front of the Sanctuary. This photo is dated October 30, 1949.
FUMC History First United Methodist Church stands at the heart of downtown Baton Rouge as an anchor of stability for many of the people of our great city.  Since 1834, First Church has been a place to worship God, to learn the story of God's love, to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, and to serve the larger community. The cornerstone for the present church was laid in 1925 and the first service was held in the present sanctuary one year later. First Church is a place with open hearts, open minds and open doors, where people at all stages of their faith journey can feel comfortable and grow in discipleship.
FUMC Junior Choir 1940 By 1940, membership at First Church had grown to 2,802 members and it was a time of prosperity in Baton Rouge, as well as First Church. Pictured here is the 1940 Junior Choir.

History: 175th Anniversary of FUMC

neon_cross_treesA large white neon cross sits on top of the bell tower of First United Methodist Church. White in the daylight and glowing white neon in the night, the cross is seen across the city and from several perspectives on the interstate system that traverses Baton Rouge.

The story of First United Methodist is the story of keeping that cross lit and sitting high above the sanctuary. It is the story of three centuries of people trained to be disciples who will faithfully follow Jesus. It is the story of a faith community offering the sanctuary of worship, the comfort of prayer, the kindness of care, and the prophetic witness of justice.

That cross silently tells the story of people reading the Bible, listening to sermons, and answering the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It measures the church's witness and corrects its steps.

This year we are celebrating our 175th Anniversary. Melvin L. "Kip" Holden, Mayor-President of the City of Baton Rouge, presented First United Methodist Church a key to the city on January 25, 2009, "in celebration of 175 years of assistance to our community and spiritual uplifting of the faithful."

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