It was June 1955. Dwight D. Eisenhower was President of the United States. A new house cost about $17,500, and the Dow-Jones average was 488. Minimum wage was $0.75 an hour, Tennessee Ernie Ford had a hit song with “Sixteen Tons”, and Mickey Mantle hit career homerun #100. The temperature in
Baton Rouge was approaching three digits in the tent with the rolled up sides, which was on Mollylea Drive. The sign facing the road announced, “The Future Home of Broadmoor Methodist Church”. Some eighteen months earlier, a visionary Board of Missions and Church Extension of the
Baton Rouge district bought four lots in Broadmoor Subdivision. On June 19, 1955, the district superintendent, Rev. Edward Harris, delivered the first sermon. The following Sunday, 54 charter members were received. On this second Sunday for the new church, June 26, 1955, Scharlie Lawson (now Mrs. James R. Neal) became the first person baptized. The charter roles were closed on July 31st. One hundred twenty-eight people had walked down the sawdust aisle to join the new church. “A fellowship which shall in very truth become the Body of our Lord”, said our first minister, Rev. J. Phillip Woodland.
Today, Broadmoor United Methodist Church is a thriving congregation with over 4,000 members, but still retains the best qualities of small church life. Looking for ways to get involved? Take a look around the website and see the different ways you can be a part of the tradition. From warm and inviting Sunday School classes to thought provoking Bible Studies and God-centered worship services to mission projects that make a difference, you'll find that Broadmoor may be exactly what you've been looking for. And if you don't find the information you're looking for, just let us know!
If you would like to learn more about the history of our church, please take a look at this Official History. You will need the free Adobe Reader to open it.
