HISTORY OF MAIN STREET


One of the coast area's earliest churches, Main Street United Methodist Church in Bay St. Louis, was known as a "preaching place" as early as 1842.

This church was organized in 1852. Services were first held in a small building at the coroner of Main and Second Streets. The property was donated to the church by John V. Toulme. Records show that in 1859 the church was then know as St. John's Methodist Church.

The present church building was erected in 1895. It is considered to be an outstanding example of Carpenter Gothic Architecture. The glazing and installation of the origional windows is of very fine quality and workmanship.

The church building was not completed until near the turn of the century. In 1896, members were worshipping for the second year in an incomplete building which had no windows or doors. The building was dedicated by Bishop Charles B. Galloway in 1897, the same year a disastrous fire destroyed about half the town. Records also show that in 1900 the new building was wired for electricity at a cost of $36.00. The pastor in 1902 was awarded $375.00 as salary for his service.

In 1936, a six-classroom annex was constructed at the rear of the present sanctuary; and in 1944 Mr. A.C. Exnicious gave church a plot of land adjoining the existing church building. Five years later the church purchased from Mr. Exnicious a two- story building which was used for educational purposes. It will be of interest to some to learn that the front portion of the second floor of that building was constructed from the first house of worship for Methodists in Bay St. Louis, which had been located on the site of the present church building. This building was located adjacent to the land given earlier, and with these additions, the church grounds covered nearly all of a small city block in the downtown area next to the County Courthouse.

In the 1950's the annex building was renovated and enlarged to contain a pastor's study, kitchen, dining room, ||fellowship hall, and two dressing rooms.

Our parsonage, built in 1964 was dedicated on March 1, 1967 by Bishop Edward Pendergrass. The Rev. Lamar Martin and family were the first residents.

Sunday, May 2, 1971 the church celebrated a local Church Tradition Day under the leadership of Rev. Bernard Walton.

On September 18, 1977, the congregation celebrated their 125th anniversary with the dedication of the new Education Building. Dr. Gilbert Oliver was pastor at the time.

The Methodist Day Care Center opened on September 1, 1980 under the leadership of Rev. Willis Britt. Present enrollment is 70 students, with ages ranging from 3 months to 11 years. The Day Care Center now includes pre-kindergarten and summer camp programs for elementary school children.

Five beautiful stained glass memorial windows were installed in the sanctuary and dedicated in 1982. They were designed and made by Milton Pounds of the Pounds Studio of New Orleans. Two additional windows by the Milton Pounds have been added since.

In 1983 a much-needed pastor's study was built between

the Fellowship Hall and the Educational Building. Rev. Curtis Moffat was the first pastor to use the new study.

During the winter of 1990-91 the parking lot south of the Educational Building, across Court Street was paved and landscaped.

A multi-purpose building was completed in 1994. The second phase of this building project, which encompasses a music room and library, was completed in 1998 along with remodeling of the sanctuary.

Generations of local families have made Main Street United Methodist their church home. Children baptized, confirmed, reared in Sunday School, now see their children and grandchildren following in the tradition envisioned and established by Shieldsboro's early founding fathers. Come join us as we seek to glorify God and witness His love.