The herald., 1921-12-15
THE METHODIST
CHURCH IN
new ORLEANS

The Methodist Church made its
entry into New Orleans just after
the beginning of the past century.
In the year 1905 Bishop Ashury sent
a missionary to Louisiana with in
structions to begin in the city of
New Orleans. For this difficult work
he chose a young Kentuckian, who
has been described as consecrated,
courageous and we'll able to make
his way. He was Elisha Bowman.
Mr.. Bowman took the usual route
through the wilderness to Natchez
which was then an outpost OF Meth
odism Leaving Natchez, he pro-
ceeded down the left bank Of the
Mississippi, passing through Baton
Rouge, and thence on to New Or
leans. The country through which
he travelled after leaving Baton
Rouge, which is now a scene of vas.
cane fields, great sugar refineries
and busy towns, he thus described:
1.-The land is dry on each side about
forty and in some places about fifty
rods wide, and then a cypress swamp
extends each way to the lakes
Reaching New Orleans, Elisha
Bowman went to the Governor and
told him of his business in the city
The Governor promised his protec
ton, also the use of the capitol fol
preaching services. SO a service
for the following Sunday was pub
lished, but when the preacher came
for the service he found the door
of the building locked. He ther
preached TO a few sailors and other:
who stood outside. The Governor
and the Mayor, when informed of his
treatment, promised to issue al
order putting the capitol at his dis
posai; but when he, his landlord ant
some others reached the building tn
following Sunday the door was foun'
locked as before. 1t seemed that MI
Bowman was in the midst Of pee
pie who would politely promise
shrug their shoulders when he left
and refuse him in the end. Not t
be outdone, the faithful preache
| had a service in the streets tina
Sunday and the one following. The
the difficulties seeming too great TO
/ him. he decided to leave for othe
| fields. The nearest preacher to hiI
was three hundred miles away, an
| Mr.. Bowman was in the midst G
strangers. He could not find an
place in which to conduct services
Some offered to rent places to hin
but he had not sufficient money I
nav the rent. What money he ha
was going fast. He wrote that
cost him two dollars a day to pr
vide for himself and horse.
II seems that no further effort wa
made by the Methodists until ISL
when Miles Harper was appointe
to New Orleans. There is no recor
!. that he was able to accomplish vel
much. ean =. 49,. I'd
In 1913 william winans, nati'
J of Pennsylvania, and one of II
mightiest preachers Of the ear
days Of Methodism IN the South, WI
appointed to New Orleans. The co
ference treasury contained 1891
and of that amount $50 was voted
Mr.. Winans to enable him to beg
the work in the city. ''Of the We
few in that, ungodly city Of fifte'
thousand Inhabitants" a church b
torian writes, who were willing
! own themselves as Methodists W
5 a Dutchman, Jacob Knobb. and b
. wife" They received the YOU
|. preacher into their house and rel
ed him the ground floor at a We
i. moderate price. This he used as
/ school and a chapel. Here Villa
I wInans acted as schooiamster d.
!, ing the week and as a parson evt
ings and Sunday. This house sto
;. somewhere on Bienville street. +
+ CONGREGATIONS were small, but
conducted services regularly IN