Help us save Wesley United!

New Orleans – Hurricane Katrina was a catastrophic event that forced many people in New Orleans to start over.  Since then, more hurricanes, such as Ivan and Gustav, continued to damage some of the oldest and most significant historical sites in the United States.  One of the sites in jeopardy is the Wesley United Methodist Church, which is the second oldest African American church in New Orleans and the eighth oldest African American Church in the U.S.

During the 1830s, slaves built Wesley United Methodist Church brick by brick.  Not only did they work on the church every evening after working tirelessly in the fields, but they also worked all day on Sundays, which was their only “day off.”  Slaves built the church in order to accommodate events that were held during their free time. They used the bottom level of the church for entertainment, gatherings, and other meetings, while the second floor consisted of a sanctuary filled with hand crafted pews.

Wesley United was also a part of the slave abolitionist movement.  In addition, it functioned as a stopping point and hiding place for slaves who were trying to escape to freedom.  By walking through the church, one is filled with a feeling of being close to the slaves who worked so hard in order to have something they could call their own.  The founders would be heartbroken if they saw the current state of the church.

Strong winds and flood waters from several recent hurricanes left the church in bad shape.  The foundation is still intact but there are several problems because of water and wind damage.  The neighborhood is extremely optimistic that volunteer measures have been taken to preserve the history that rests in this church.

However, the church’s 400 members were recently devastated when they heard the news that their church could be demolished if not upgraded.  For more than three years these members have been unable to pray or have service in their church.  Wesley United is the only place where many members found a sense of peace and happiness.  These members lost everything they had in Hurricane Katrina and are now worried that they may lose their only place of peace and happiness during trying times.

George Francis, a lifelong member of Wesley, is deeply saddened by this situation.  “My mother and father grew up in this church and were married here.  I have been a member since I was a baby.  My heart is here, at Wesley church,” said Francis.  Ashley Gibson has been a member of Wesley for the past 9 years.  “I lost so much during the storm and the only thing that kept me going was my faith in God and my church family.  Finding out that our church may not be coming back has only reopened the wounds that we’ve been trying to heal since Katrina,” said Gibson.

Even though major work has to be done in the building, the history and importance of the church are still there.  Common Ground Relief, a local grassroots community organization, originally initiated efforts to raise funds, recruit skilled volunteers, and obtain supplies needed to make the necessary repairs to the church.  The cost of repairs, renovation and restoration is estimated at well over 1.5 million dollars due to structural issues. The good news is that the church has been gutted out and the pews have been taken apart and sanded down.  However, that’s only the beginning of what needs to be done and savewesleyunited.org, 1st Street United Methodist Church, and Rebuild Green, need your help.

A major part of US history will be lost if the church is unable to acquire adequate resources because it stands be demolished and the property sold for construction of a parking lot.  Future generations need to witness and experience this important part of history. The people of New Orleans need this structure as a reminder that after the storm, they can always hold on to their heritage, legacy and their faith.

United Saints supports the efforts of Wesley United and dedicates many volunteer hours to the restoration. Currently, the second floor is being restored; the mortar has been removed to reveal the original brick work, and the hardwood floors have been exposed. United Saints will continue to help Wesley United by restoring the brick walls and floor, repairing windows, etching donation bricks, installing pews, developing the theater area, and working on the exterior.

Call Save Wesley United’s  Sakura Kone’ at 504.906.0644/504.861.5017 for more information about how you can help this effort, or, to make any financial contributions, log on to  WWW.SAVEWESLEYUNITED.ORG