Church History

Take A Tour

The Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church was built in 1875 on property which was donated by the Rev. Robert W. Rayne, a local merchant and lay preacher, in memory of his son, William, who was fatally wounded in a Civil War Battle at Chancellorsville. A stone tablet on the wall of the Sanctuary bears this inscription: “To Him who redeemed me and hath kept me all my life, and in memory of my son, William, who was fatally wounded at Chancellorsville.”

In the renovations following extensive hurricane damage in 1915, nine stained glass windows made in Germany were installed. In 1925, the Westerfield Building housing the Fellowship Hall, kitchen, parlor, offices, choir and youth rooms were completed and in 1952, the Bynum Children's building housing the Rayne Early Childhood Program and the children's Sunday school was built. In 1968, the Hannah Chapel was dedicated. For 133 years, within these historic and holy walls, a community of faith and love committed to the mission of Jesus Christ has worshiped, celebrated the sacraments, studied, prayed and reached out in service to the world.

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and once again our historic buildings were damaged. The tall and graceful spire was snapped and fell into the sanctuary roof creating a huge hole through which the sanctuary suffered water damage. Thankfully, none of the stained glass windows suffered any damage at all. On August 24, 2008, the restoration of the sanctuary and steeple was completed.

For many decades Rayne has been known as “The Church of the Lighted Steeple.” Every night, the steeple, illumined from the inside out, shines its soft light over the city of New Orleans, a beacon of hope and peace. You are invited to “tour” our buildings via our web-site and to plan a visit to our city and our worship in the near future!