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FROM THE PASTOR-Van Carpenter
Welcome to Main Street United Methodist Church! This historic church combines a great heritage with a warmth of fellowship that enhances our worship and service and calls us to follow Christ as His people.
As our history will show, our church has stood the tests we have known for more than one and a half centuries. Yet, our work and our worship together reflect the needs of the world of today.
We invite you to enjoy this beautiful sanctuary which will soon be one hundred years old, to feel the joy of our worship together, to know the warmth of fellowship in our activities, and to join with us as we follow Christ as Lord.
■ This booklet contains much of the information that will help you feel "at home" with us. We will gladly provide additional information that you might like to have. Thank you for being with us.
HISTORY MAIN STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
One of the coast area's earliest churches, Main St. United Methodist Church in Bay St. Louis has a long and colorful history. Shieldsboro, now Bay St. Louis, was known as a preaching place as early as 1842.
This church was organized in 1852 and services were held in a small building at the comer of Main and Second Streets on property given by John V. Toulme for a church. Records show that the church was known as St. John’s Methodist Church in 1859 rather than by the present name.
The present church building was erected in 1895, and is now 96 years old. It is considered to be an outstanding example of Carpenter Gothic Architecture. The glazing and installation of the original windows is of very fine quality and workmanship.
The church building was not completed until near the turn of the century. In 1896 the people were worshipping for the second year in an incomplete building which had no windows or doors. Although the building was dedicated by Bishop Charles B. Galloway in 1897, the 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 to the church a plot of land
adjoining the church building lot. 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 the first house of worship for Methodists in Bay St. Louis, and it had originally stood on the site of the present church building. This building was adjacent to the land given earlier, and with these additions, the church grounds cover 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, a kitchen, dining room, fellowship hall, and two dressing rooms.
On December 7, 1952 the Centennial Anniversary was observed with an allday celebration. Bishop Marvin Franklin came for the occasion as did some former pastors and members from out of town.
Our parsonage, built in 1964, was dedicated on March 1, 1967 by Bishop Edward Pendergrass. Rev. Lamar Martin and family were the first residents.
Sunday, May 2, 1971 the church celebrated 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 Educational Building. Dr. Gilbert Oliver was pastor then.