By STACEY PLAISANCE / L’Observateur / October 7, 1998

LUTCHER – One hundred years ago this fall, William H. Curtis felt called toestablish a church in the town of Lutcher on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Curtis was not a member of the clergy, but he recognized the need for an established place of worship in the new town that was rapidly forming around the thriving Lutcher-Moore Cypress Mill.

Three years later, a beautiful Victorian style sanctuary was completed, having been built entirely of native heart cypress. It was the firstProtestant church to be established in the River Parishes. In 1992, thehistorical and architectural significance of the sanctuary was noted by its being placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

On Sunday at 9 a.m., members of the congregation and their guests willgather to worship and celebrate the anniversary of the church’s founding.

Bishop Dan E. Solomon, leader of the United Methodist Church in Louisiana,will be the guest preacher. Former pastors will be represented by the Rev.George Duerson, now at Rayne Memorial UMC in New Orleans, and the Rev.

Carol Susan Winn of Jefferson UMC in Baton Rouge. Special music will bepresented by Richard and Libby Shackelford of Gonzales and Dr. RobertSmith of Baton Rouge.

The Rev. Alice Wilkinson Story invites friends and former members toattend the worship service and the reception that will follow.

Lutcher United Methodist Church is located at 2347 Texas Street.

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