St. Charles United Methodist Church

In 1898, a determined group of 26 individuals established the Carrollton Baptist Church. This was not St. Charles United Methodist Church yet, but the seed from which it would grow. Our present-day St. Charles United Methodist Church has a fascinating journey behind it. Initially located at the corner of Maple and Cherokee Streets, the church found its home in what was then the separate city of Carrollton. New Orleans annexed Carrollton three years later. The congregation purchased land at St. Charles Avenue and Hillary Street, becoming the St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church. The church continued to thrive, eventually moving up the avenue in 1924 to better serve the growing University neighborhood. The present sanctuary at St. Charles Avenue and Audubon Street was built in 1925, a testament to the church’s expanding influence. The architecture firm Favrot and Livaudais designed the sanctuary in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. The unique building boasts intricate bas reliefs, terra cotta roof tiles, and a prominent bell tower. St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church was deeply involved with the Southern Baptist Convention for over a century, contributing to institutions like the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Southern Baptist Hospital. However, at the dawn of the 21st century, the church separated due to evolving theological differences. Throughout its history, St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church championed progressive values. This included accepting baptisms from other denominations as early as 1901. The church also involved women in leadership roles from the 1920s, a rarity at the time. Under the leadership of Dr. G. Avery Lee, the church became a voice for Civil Rights in the 1950s and 60s. Continuing this tradition of inclusivity, St. Charles was the first Baptist church in Louisiana to ordain women as deacons in 1971 and to ordain a woman to the Gospel ministry in 1980. In 2013, the church called its first female pastor, again a pioneering move in Louisiana. In 2015, as marriage equality gained legal recognition, St. Charles affirmed its commitment to inclusion by opening its sacred space to all members wishing to exchange vows. Today, St. Charles United Methodist Church stands as a beacon of progressive thought and ecumenical partnership in New Orleans, continuing its journey of service and inclusion.