First Evangelical Church (New Orleans, LA)

First Evangelical Church

First Evangelical Church (New Orleans, LA) can trace its beginnings to 1819, but did not officially incorporate until 1826 as the “First German Protestant Church of New Orleans, Louisiana.” That being said, in 1899 the church council voted and declared June 3, 1825, as the official date of organization.

The first two pastors to serve the church were sent to the area by the Ohio Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States and served the church until 1840. On April 10, 1839, the property for the first church building was purchased on Clio Street near St. Charles Avenue. During the years between 1840-1858 the congregation was served by a number of pastors and on May 1, 1858, the first church building was partially destroyed by lightning and fire.

A second church building was dedicated on March 24, 1872, under the pastorate of Rev. Herman Perpeet.

On May 9, 1886, the church council voted to affiliate with the German Evangelical Synod of North America and the congregation was received on May 15, 1886. One day later, a fire totally destroyed the second church building on the corner of Clio Street and St. Charles Avenue. A third church building was dedicated on December 4, 1887. This building was also destroyed by fire on January 17, 1905. The only items salvaged from the wreckage included the altar, a picture of the Saviour, the eagle lectern, the pulpit Bibles and the church records.

The congregation decided to relocate and purchased a site on Carondelet Street at St. Mary Street with additional abutting property fronting St. Andrew Street. The cornerstone for this church building was laid on January 29, 1906, and the building later dedicated on January 13, 1907. A branch bible school was later opened in 1910, a gymnasium in 1919, and a parsonage was purchased in 1923 on Milan Street between Rampart and Saratoga Streets.

A new parsonage was purchased in 1927 and was located closer to the church where the congregational activities took place. In addition, a remodel of the original parsonage took place and this home became a place for Sunday School rooms and a janitor’s lodge. A large auditorium and gymnasium were also added.

In September 1936 it became evident that a new church would be needed and property was purchased on South Claiborne Avenue at Jefferson Avenue. On June 12, 1940, a decision was made to purchase the remainder of the property in a square bounded by South Claiborne, Jefferson, Soniat, and Story Streets. This building was not constructed until 1950 and dedicated on December 2, 1951. Two new units were also added and were dedicated on June 19, 1955.

In 1971, the congregation opted to withdraw from the United Church of Christ, but rejoined the UCC in 1983.

The congregation voted to merge with Trinity Evangelical Church (New Orleans, LA) in 1991 and became First Trinity United Church of Christ.

Trinity Evangelical Church

Trinity Evangelical Church (New Orleans, LA) was organized on August 2, 1926, by a group of members that broke away from Grace Lutheran Church (New Orleans, LA) over a clause in the Missouri Synod’s Constitution that restricted members of fraternal organizations holding office in the church or receiving communion.

In the beginning, the congregation met in the homes of the members. The first was located at 635 N. Pierce Street and that home was owned by Djalma R. Hanneman. Rev. Adam John Scherer (1900-1967) became the first pastor and began his duties at Trinity Evangelical Church on September 30, 1926. During this pastorate, the congregation grew and this first home became overcrowded. A house, owned by Mr. and Mrs. William P. Blank and located at 936 N. Carrollton Avenue was used.

A corner lot was later purchased at Canal and N. Murat Streets for $12,000. Construction began by the G.E. and E.E. Reiman Construction Company to build a church in the amount of $37,000. The cornerstone for this building was laid on December 4, 1927, and the first worship service was held on the ground floor on March 18, 1928. The building was later completed and dedicated on May 6, 1928.

A parsonage was purchased in 1950 and was located at 152 Hollywood Drive (Metairie, LA) and had become so costly that the Church Council decided to dispose of it in 1969.

In January 1958, real estate on N. Murat Street, opposite the rear of the church, was purchased for an office and Sunday School. Dr. J.C. Brown bequeathed a substantial amount of money to pay off this mortgage so that building was named for him.

Rev. Scherer retired in 1964 and was succeeded by Rev. Louis Frederick Suedmeyer (1908-1987). Rev. Suedmeyer preached his first sermon on April 15, 1964, and was installed September 20, 1964.

Rev. Paul Joseph Pic served from 1979-1983 and was succeeded by Paul Frederick Longstreth in 1984. Rev. Longstreth served until 1990.

Trinity Evangelical Church merged with First Evangelical Church (New Orleans, LA) in 1991 to form First Trinity United Church of Christ.