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SAMARITAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

We are Here, at the Star

4234 Washington Boulevard
Saint Louis, MO 63108

Ph: (314) 533-3916; Fax: (314) 531-4627

OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

(GASLIGHT SQUARE)

USA

THEME:

"Continuing the Legacy Of The Good Samaritan: LOVE"

Welcome

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Our Message, Our Ministries, and Our Mission

Samaritan's Computer Ministry

Welcome

On behalf of the pastor, officers and members of Samaritan United Methodist Church, we welcome you to our services. If you are a visitor from another church, we trust that you will convey our Christian greetings to your home church. However, if you are looking for a church home, we open our doors and our hearts to you and your family(s) in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

HISTORY

Founding/Charter Members *** Preachers/Theologians*** Ministers

HISTORY OF SAMARITAN UNITED METHODIST

Social tensions and conflicts experienced by Blacks in East Saint Louis, Illinois during the second decade of the twentieth century gave birth to a new Methodist congregation in Saint Louis, Missouri. During this period the Wesley Tabernacle Methodist Church, East Saint Louis, Illinois was a vital, growing Black congregation under the pastoral leadership of the Reverend Martin Luther Jackson. A nucleus of the members of the Wesley Tabernacle Methodist Church, seeking new economic and educational opportunities,"crossed the river" to become residents of Saint Louis, Missouri. The Reverend Jackson accompanied this group providing the force, which held them together, leading to the organizing of a new congregation. In June, nineteen seventeen (1917), this group of worshippers found a temporary location on Chouteau Avenue. This temporary location was made possible through the efforts of Dr. B.F. Abbott, Pastor of Union Memorial Methodist Church; District Superintendent W.R. Rivere, and Bishop Rt. Reverend Quayle, Bishop of the Saint Louis Episcopal Area.

The Good Samaritan Methodist Episcopal Church

In August, nineteen seventeen (1917), a site in the forty-one hundred (4100) block of West Belle Place was selected as a more permanent place of worship. The name accepted by the group, was "The Good Samaritan Methodist Episcopal Church". This name was symbolic of the protective benediction perceived by the group and expressive of the joy of finding "peace and shelter" in a new urban environment.

In October, nineteen seventeen (1917), a Black congregation on Papin Street (Saint James Methodist Church), lost the building in which it worshipped. Under the guidance of Superintendent W.R. Rivere, the Saint James congregation joined the Good Samaritan congregation and the two became one. This merged group functioned smoothly with the co-leadership of Reverend Martin Luther Jackson and the Reverend R.G. Williams, who had been the pastor of Saint James Church.

In the Spring, nineteen eighteen (1918), the Reverend W.H. Wheeler, noted as a great preacher, became the first pastor of the newly formed Good Samaritan Methodist Episcopal Church.

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Founding/Charter Members

Those persons recalled as founding/charter members of Good Samaritan Church are:

    Cora Brown *** Mary Jefferson *** Edna Jackson Simmons

    Carrie Cade *** Nancy Jobe *** Carrie Smith

    Dixie Hall French *** William McCullen *** Mrs.J.W.T. Smith

    Norvella Glaspie *** Mary Palmar *** Leona Jackson West

    James Gregory *** Robert Palmar *** Mary White

    Mary Jackson Hendricks *** Lovey Pinkney *** Lydia Woolridge

Following the pastorate of Reverend Wheeler was the Reverend A.L. Reynolds. During his tenure the first unit of what was proposed to become a major edifice was constructed at forty-one sixty-eight (4168) West Belle Place. The community was a thriving one, and the congregation and Church School grew. From that membership came a number of Methodist ministers, many of whom have distinguished themselves as preachers and theologians of The Church.

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Preachers/Theologians

    F.A. Blackwell *** Joseph D. Edwards,Sr. *** A.L. Reynolds

    W.H. Brewer *** Alphonse Maxwell *** C.C. Reynolds

    Dr. Charles B. Copher *** Henry C. Moore *** J.E. Tunstall

    R.M. Dale *** Robert C. Moore *** R.W. Ward

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Samaritan Methodist Episcopal Church

In nineteen forty-eight (1948) the opportunity came, to purchase the edifice at forty-two thirty-four (4234) Washington Avenue. under the dynamic leadership of Reverend J. Walt Moore, the congregation purchased the property. And the name of the church became Samaritan Methodist Episcopal Church.

The records of this congregation reveal significant periods of joy and trauma. In nineteen twenty-seven (1927) the building at forty-one sixty-eight (4168)West Belle Place suffered tornado damage. Once again in nineteen fifty-seven (1957) just thirty years later, another tornado damaged extensively the building where the new congregation now occupied at forty-two thirty-four (4234) Washington.

Samaritan United Methodist Church Burned & Gutted

In nineteen sixty-two (1962) then, a fire completely "gutted" the building, with a loss of over $200,000. The congregation voted to "rebuild" on the same site, two year project. During the next two years, we discovered again the reality of love as many church groups, and other groups invited us to worship in their facilities. It's noted that, during the rebuilding, Samaritan utilized the facilities of Temple Israel, Evangelical and Reformed Church at Shreve and Margaretta, the Baptist Building, at Grand and Martin Luther King Drive. The Samaritan staff shared the office facilities of the Area Bishop, Bishop M.W. Clair, Jr.

Samaritan United Methodist Church

Easter Sunday, March 20, 1964, Samaritan United Methodist Church's congregation marched triumphantly into its rebuilt edifice--with the Minister, Reverend H.M. White, District superintendent Reverend G.H. Hubbard and Resident Bishop M.W. Clair, Jr.. The congregation had again demonstrated its ability to deal constructively with crisis; and, within record period, the building debt was retired. The mortgage was burned in nineteen seventy-two (1972).

The years following nineteen sixty-four (1964), we have witnessed changes in the community and the congregation. No longer is Samaritan "community based" church for its members are disbursed throughout the Saint Louis metropolitan area. However, some efforts have been made to maintain contact with residents and memberships.

Such efforts have included:

    Headstart Center, in cooperation with H.D.C.

    Summer Youth Ministry in cooperation with Metro Ministry

    Crisis Center for food and clothing

    Camp Summerfest

    Wednesday After School Program

    Bicycle Giveaway

    Food Pantry

There is pride in our heritage. There is deep gratitude for those whose efforts and commitment in the past have made possible the present. There is, however, the challenge is ever before us to "press toward the mark of the high calling which is in Christ Jesus".

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MINISTERS

ROLE OF MINISTERS

SAMARITAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

    Reverend Martin Luther Jackson

    Reverend R.G. Williams

    Reverend W.H. Wheeler

    Reverend A. L. Reynolds

    Reverend B.R. Booker

    Reverend J.W. Golden

    Dr.W.D. Lester

    Reverend G. F. Tipton

    Reverend J. Walt Moore

    Reverend Lawrence C. Thomas

    Reverend Robert W. Kelley

    Reverend H.M. White

    Reverend Joseph W. Pilate

    Reverend F.C. Wharry

    Reverend C. Jarrett Gray

    Reverend R. Douglas Force

    Reverend R. Herman Moncure, Jr.

    Reverend Michele Sue Shumake-Keller

    Reverend Ronald Graham

    PASTOR'S HOME

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    Our Message

    I hope that you are looking for a special kind of place to worship and grow. Samaritan United Methodist Church is an exciting and caring fellowship of people gathered in the name of the Lord. In worship, we experience the power and presence of God's love. You will find acceptance and encouragement here, opportunities to explore and strengthen your knowledge and love of God. There is a place for you. I invite you to come and join us as we serve the Lord and make our spiritual journey together. It will be the best decision you will have ever made.

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    Our Ministries

    • Children's Ministry

    Provides an enjoyable atmosphere for communicating God's love to preschoolers and elementary children

  • Youth Ministry
  • Youth Fellowship Group encourages total development of young people.

  • Young Adult Ministry
  • The Trendsetters encourage personal and spiritual growth for young singles and married couples through fellowship, Bible study, and planned social events.

  • Adult Ministry
  • The Pacesetters promote the budget and spiritual growth of the church through varied activities. The Facilitators encourage and help to sustain the spiritual growth of the congregation through the development of innovative, fun activities to raise funds for the support of special ministries and programs.

  • Senior Adults Ministry
  • The Funseekers offer fellowship for high-spirited seniors who regularly enjoy a variety of planned activities.

  • Family Ministry
  • Enhance family growth and nurturing, Christian fellowship, and cultural enrichment.

    United Methodist Women

    United Methodist Men

    Specializes in providing leaders for discipleship, faith, and mission.

WORSHIP SERVICES:

  1. Church School.....9:30 A.M.
  2. Morning Worship.....11:00 A.M.

    Holy Communion and fellowship Hour each first sunday following service

MONTHLY CHURCH CALENDAR

Office Hours

Monday-Friday***** (9:00 - 1:00 PM)

SUNDAY

Each Week

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING CHURCH SERVICE

1st.***Birthday Fellowship

2nd.***United Methodist Women

3rd.***United Methodist Men/Evangelism Committee

4th.***Ushers

MONDAY

Each Week

Spirit of Samaritan Choir Rehearsal

TUESDAY

2nd *** 11:00 AM***Health and Welfare Committee

WEDNESDAY

Each Week

3:45 PM*** Wednesday Afterschool Enrichment Program

2nd *** 7:00 PM*** TBA Trendsetters

THURSDAY

Each WeeK

10:00-1:00 PM ***Food Pantry

Each Week

7:00 PM*** Tabernacle Choir Rehearsal

SATURDAY

TBA Finance Committee

2nd *** 12:30 ***Fun Seekers

3rd *** 10:00 ***Samaritan Church Council

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Our Mission

Our mission is the renewal of Samaritan United Methodist Church as a bold, spirited, and extroverted community of Christian people committed to obeying the two greatest Commandments as taught by our Lord Jesus Christ. We show our commitments to trusting, loving, and worshiping God by hearing, witnessing, and teaching the Good News/Gospel, sharing the Good News/Gospel of what God has done for us through Christ, caring, loving, and serving all people as one self, growing, in the image of Christ.

Community Outreach Ministry

  • Food Pantry * Bicycle Give Away * Afternoon Enrichment Program
  • Camp Summerfest Program * Annual Thanksgiving and Christmas Community Dinners

  • Christian Nurture
  • Prayer Service * Church Newsletter * Visitation Ministry * Bus Ministry * Bible Study
  • Samaritan's Bible Reading Program

  • Special Events
    • Men's Day * Women's Day * Anniversary/Homecoming
    • Laity Sunday * Walk-A-Thon * Youth Day
    • Choir Music

      • Tabernacle Choir * Spirit of Samaritan Choir * Youth Choir * Children Choir

    A COMMUNITY OF LOVE

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    Music Outreach

    UNISON

    Community Outreach

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    This page has been visited Since December 1, 1998 Thank You and Come Again......

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