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ARTICLE XII (Cont.)
GULFSIDE METHODIST ASSEMBLY
Early in the 1900's, readers of the 'Southwestern' knew that their editor, Robert E. Jones, was deeply concerned about the cultural deprivation of black people. Because they were denied access to the kind of recreational opportunities available to whites, blacks were forced to develop their own forms of social life and recreation. They were not always wholesome and uplifting.
Dr. Jones had been impressed by a Chatauqua, New York program, located on the shores of Lake Erie and at Lakeside, Ohio.
It included religious instruction, lectures on various subjects, notable guest speakers, concerts, organized sports and games, lake excursions and even correspondence courses.
He was determined to create a similar institution for blacks, as soon as he could find and acquire a suitable site.
With the election of Editor Jones to the episcopacy, he assumed responsibility for development of the religious life of 102,376 black members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the six conferences of the New Orleans area.
Bishop Jones was now free to a certain extent, to initiate his own program for racial development, although this was a qualified freedom, at best, based on his not seeking to alter the basic pattern of segregation.
The only realistic way to meet the pressing needs was to establish separate programs and institution for blacks which would help provide the recreational and educational opportunities blacks desperately needed in the deep South.
Bishop Jones saw the beginning of a dream come true, when in 1923, a sprawling 140 acre retreat center along the Gulf of Mexico was founded to meet the needs of black people in the southern regions of the church.
Valued in excess of $1 million, located at Waveland, 55 miles from New Orleans, La. the center has been a center for Christian education, culture and recreation for over six decades. In October 1980 it was dedicated as the 97th Historical Site of the United Methodist Churc h.
Gulfside's balmy weather, stately pines and large shady oaks for many years lured church groups, college students and civic clubs to its grounds.	*
One after another buildings were added and provided a chapel, administration building (named for Bishop Jones), hotel to accomodate