Consider the commanding presence of St. Charles Avenue Christian Church. It stands tall with its bell tower. Its Spanish Colonial Revival-style ornamentation is unlike any other church in New Orleans.
St. Charles Avenue Christian Church has a rich history. Its story began in the 1880s. At that time, the Carrollton neighborhood was a small city. The Coliseum Baptist Church established a mission there. For 14 years, the mission thrived. Then, in 1898, 26 charter members formed the Carrollton Baptist Church. It was located at Maple and Cherokee Streets.
Three years later, New Orleans annexed Carrollton. The Carrollton Baptist Church purchased property. It was at the corner of St. Charles Avenue and Hillary Street. The church changed its name to St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church. In 1924, the church saw an opportunity. It could serve the University neighborhood. The church bought a lot at St. Charles Avenue and Audubon Street. Construction began in 1925. The congregation moved into the current sanctuary in 1926. Since then, the church has expanded. It now occupies the entire block of 7100 St. Charles.
St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church played a vital role in the Southern Baptist Convention. It supported the creation of important institutions. These included the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. It also supported the Southern Baptist Hospital. The church ended its affiliation with the Convention. This was due to doctrinal and theological differences.
St. Charles Avenue Christian Church has long been known for its progressive stances. It has also been known for its creative leadership. The church included women in committees and decision-making early on. The late Dr. G. Avery Lee was an outspoken preacher. He was also a Civil Rights advocate. In 1971, the church ordained women as deacons. In 1980, it ordained a woman to the Gospel ministry. In 2013, the church called its first female pastor. In 2015, the church included sacred vows for all members.
Today, St. Charles Avenue Christian Church enjoys ecumenical partnerships. It also has interfaith partnerships. The church strives to be a prophetic voice of faith. It maintains an attitude of openness. It also has a spirit of acceptance. The church is committed to living out Christ’s love.
The sanctuary sits on the second floor. It is above an educational space. Tall exterior staircases provide access. The sanctuary was designed to be larger than the congregation. This was to serve nearby universities.
Many original details remain inside. These include ornate plaster castings. You can also see light fixtures and tile floors. The church also has wood pews. A cantilevered balcony wraps around the room. Arched wooden sash windows bring in ample light.
The church received a grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places. This grant will help restore the historic building. The restoration will secure the building’s future. It will address water issues. The grant will also help restore historic windows and plaster walls. The church will also update the HVAC and electrical systems.
In the future, the church hopes to continue to be a welcoming place. It wants to host events and discussions. These will surround social justice and civic issues. The church also started the St. Charles Center for Faith + Action. It is an interfaith nonprofit. It works at the intersection of sacred story and social justice.
As you stand here, you can see the dedication. The St. Charles Avenue Christian Church ensures its legacy of faith and action. It is a beacon of progressive thought. The church is a welcoming space for all.