History Brochure - First United Methodist Church/Shreveport

Auditorium windows:
The 39-rank Aeolian Skinner
organ was installed in 1950.
1987 a new organ rebuilt
from the Skinner organ was
dedicated. The new organ
was constructed and installed
by the Moller Organ
Company.
A five-manual
console and 55 ranks of new
pipes were added. In 1989 a gallery organ
with 16 ranks was added, bringing the organ
to 110 ranks of pipes.
The church has long been noted for its
exquisite stained glass windows—art works
from the Jacoby Studios in Saint Louis, MO. All
of these windows are Bible-centered, rich in
color, flowers, and other details.
The center medallion in each foyer window is
a “Cross Fleurie.” On each arm are 3 petals,
symbolizing the Trinity. The windows in the
narthex were given in tribute to Mr. and Mrs.
John E. Peyton, Sr., by their children, and to
Fred L. Dryer, given by his family.
Balcony windows, listed left to right.
The Nativity—tribute to Mrs. George S. (Lucille)
Sexton, Jr., teacher of the Lucille Sexton Class
for more than 50 years.
Jewish symbols recall Jesus, 12, at
synagogue—tribute to Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Jackson
Anderson, loyal members for more than 60
years.
Agony of Gethsemane—balcony memorial to
Sudie J. Lingle above door where she
entered and left the sanctuary, given by Mr.
and Mrs. J.R. Russell.
Symbols of the Crucifixion memorialize faithful
steward John S. Welsh.
The Phoenix represents the Resurrection—in
gratitude to her parents from Myrtle Beeler
Day.
‘And a little child shall lead them.’ Angel recalls
child Ida Chapman, who gave $1 for 1913 church
and died 2 weeks later.
Shreveport’s First Methodist Church stands
majestically in the heart of the city, serving God
and ministering to people at every stage of life.
It provides the atmosphere of worship, study,
and service for nearly 3,500 members as well as
a vast television audience, and has a program of
Christian concern that reaches around the world.
Our worshippers come from every age and station of life and from varied backgrounds with one
common purpose, to know and serve God better.
In much the same way that American Methodism
grew along with the City of Shreveport. The real
heartbeat of First Methodist is the spirit of the
people—their love, their warmth, their enthusiasm and their commitment to God.
‘Even as Abraham believed God.’ Abraham and
Isaac are features of window in tribute to the
church’s first pastor after station status,
Robert J. Harp.
“The central purpose of our church is to
introduce others to the love of Jesus Christ.”
- R. Pat Day, Sr. Pastor
Crusader, with the inscription ‘Thine, O Lord, is
the Victory,’ honors young men of the church lost
in WWI and WWII.
’I am the way, the truth and the Life.’ Welcoming
Christ honors Fullilove family, which had members
of building committees in 1884 and 1913.
‘He being dead, yet speaketh.’ Christ and his 2
companions on the road to Emmaus is a tribute to
‘Mr. Gus’ Palmer, beloved steward, by members
of the congregation.
‘Love is the Fulfilling of the Law.’ Moses—fitting
tribute to trustee William H. Wise, a member of
the 1884 building committee for first church at
head of Texas Street.
‘Be ye also ready.’ Virgin with lighted lamp memorializes Maude Lucille Atkins. Her last words:
“I see heaven; meet me there.”
The mission of the First United Methodist
Church is to glorify God by making
passionate disciples of Jesus Christ,
who join His redeeming work
in our community.
Brief History
of
First United
Methodist Church,
Shreveport
‘I go to prepare a place for you.’ Risen Christ
speaks with Mary—in memory of Frank T. Whited,
construction chairman in 1913, and Mrs. Whited.
‘The Lord is my Shepherd.’ Christ the Good
Shepherd, memorializes a family long active in
the church—the Hutchinsons, seven brothers and
two sisters.
‘Behold I stand at the door and knock.’ Reproduction of Holman Hunt’s Christ as heart’s door
honors T.C. Clanton and his son, Lloyd, given by
Mrs. T.C. Clanton.
The Dawson pulpit was crafted in
Germany by Alois Lang. It is
of oak carved with crosses,
roses, pomegranates, symbols of
promise, salvation, and
resurrection.
Email: fumc@fumcshreveport.org
Church Office: (318) 424-7771
Prayer Line: (318) 429-6898
Fax: (318) 429-6888
Music Office: (318) 429-6887
Performing Arts Center: (318) 429-6885
First Beginnings: (318) 429-6890
Dr. Pat Day, Senior Pastor
Rev. Jonathan Beck, Senior Associate Pastor
Rev. Derek Joyce, Associate Pastor
Dr. Carl Rhoads, Pastor of Senior Adult Ministry
Rev. Pam Crews, Pastor of Spiritual Formation
Dr. Will Andress, Minister of Music
1845-Present
1845—Shreveport Methodist
Church building—the first
church in Shreveport—was
completed in June on Market
St near Fannin. All denominations were free to use the building whenever
a preacher was available. The church was
known as the Shreveport Methodist Church
until designated “first” to distinguish it from
the city’s second Methodist church.
1845—The Methodist conferences of the
Southern states, organized a Methodist
Episcopal Church, South.
1848—the Shreveport Methodist Church is
removed from the Caddo Circuit and made a
“full-fledged” church with Robert James Harp
as its first pastor.
1849– Shreveport Methodist Church was host
to the Louisiana Annual Conference for the
first time.
1859—The Shreveport Methodists bought a
site on Edwards Street and got a charter as
the Edwards Street Methodist Church. The
Methodists never moved to that site, and
later sold the site to the Presbyterians.
1882—Two lots purchased in block 67 “way
out” on the western edge of downtown. The
new church address was designated as “head
of Texas St.” Congregation moved to this site
2 years later.
1889—Gothic
church
completed and dedicated.
With a seating capacity of
400, it wouldn’t be long
before the congregation
would need more space.
1913—present Sanctuary built. The building could
seat about 800 and was filled to overflowing at the
consecration, which made the front page of The
Shreveport Times. Headline: “Religion’s New
Temple to be Dedicated this Morning—A Milestone
in Methodism.”
The first four stained glass windows were installed,
and the focal point, then as now, was the Celtic
cross on the carved wood rear wall of the choir loft.
1940—Dawson building erected.
1972—Steeple and cross were
raised, becoming an impressive
addition to the Shreveport skyline.
Shreveport Magazine noted that
FUMC was one of the largest
Methodist congregations in the
nation, and said that “the spire
stands out as one of the most inspirational landmarks in the city. From sidewalk to apex of its 13and-1/2-foot cross the church is now 185 feet high,
about level with the top of the Slattery Building.”
1950—Sanctuary enlarged to its present capacity of
1100. Four more stained glass windows were added in the auditorium as well as the smaller windows behind the balcony and in the narthex.
Today, our steeple sits high above the city—a
symbol of the same simple hope that marked the
church’s founding: the desire to serve God and
reflect the abiding love of Jesus Christ.
1954—the Methodist Men’s
Club raised enough funds for
a lighted cross to be placed
on the church roof. This cross
enhanced the view of the
church, especially for those
traveling west from the Texas
Street bridge.
1976–The Eternal Flame, a
permanent endowment of FUMC
was established. The purpose is “to
provide permanent source of
revenues sufficient to insure the
physical and spiritual presence of
FUMC at its present location for
future generations.” The Eternal
Flame is visible from Common Street,
in the breezeway between the
Sanctuary and Couch Chapel.
1957—KTBS and KSLA begin broadcasting FUMC
Sunday morning services. Church-based day school
launched; known today as First Beginnings.
1960—FUMC decides to remain a downtown church
despite exit of businesses and the popularity of
churches moving to the suburbs. “I think every
city needs a heart, a heart of religion.
We chose to stay downtown and be that
heart.” - D.L. Dykes, Sr. Pastor, 1955-1985
1964—Hunter Building
and
Couch Chapel
completed. The chapel’s
historic floor plan is
evident in it’s two
speaker stands. The
Eagle Lectern on the
left, is used to read the
gospel lesson and to preach the sermon. The right
side generally holds a large Bible and is used for
Old Testament and epistle lessons.
1981—Project 2000. This plan called for the use of
the Lane building, south of Couch Chapel, for
Sunday School classes, remodeling of the current
Performing Arts Center to house the Alternate View
Network TV studio and a performing arts theater,
and opening of A.V.N. broadcasts by satellite.
2000—Steeple was damaged by a tornado on Easter afternoon and replaced with the current steeple
and cross.
2006—The Education and Administration building
consecrated. The church office, the Dilworth prayer chapel, and several adult Sunday school classes
are now housed in this building.
2009—Embark on 5-year Haiti Initiative.
Construction begins on two new buildings: the Early Childhood Ministry building and the Worship and
Arts Center.
1848
1849-1850
1851-1852
1853
1854
1855
1856
1857-1858
1859
1860-1861
1862
1863-1864
1865
1866
1867
1868-1869
1870-1873
1874-1876
1877-1880
1881-1882
1883-1886
1887-1890
1891-1894
1895-1898
1899-1902
1903-1906
1907-1908
1909-1910
1911-1913
1914-1916
1917
1918
1919-1921
1922-1923
1924-1930
1931-1934
1935-1948
1948-1955
1955-1985
1985-1992
1992
1993-present
R.J. Harp
Robert H. Read
Linus Parker
(elected bishop in 1882)
J.A. Ivy
Henderson K. Morse
E.M. Walker
Robert A. New
J.L. Chapman
R.R.R. Alexander
S.B. Surratt
Samuel J. Hawkins
supply pastors, war
E.M. Linfield
Thomas B. White
Levin Lewis
Reynolds Trippett
John Wilkinson
Alexander Goodwyn
Joel Daves
John T. Sawyer
C.F. Evans
J.H. Scruggs
J.L. Pierce
W.H. LaPrade
W.T. Bolling
W.E. Boggs
Felix R. Hill
H.M. Whaling
G.E. Cameron
George Sexton
S.A. Steele
A.G. Shankel
George Sexton
H.F. Brooks
Robert E. Goodrich
W. Angie Smith
(elected bishop in 1944)
Dana Dawson
(elected bishop in 1948)
Guy Hicks
D.L. Dykes, Jr.
John Fellers
Don Webb
R. Pat Day