The Louisiana Memorial United Methodist Church in Opelousas, Louisiana is the oldest Methodist church congregation west of the Mississippi River. In fact, Opelousas is known as the “Cradle of Louisiana Methodism.” Missionary Elisha W. Bowman established the church in Opelousas in 1806. The present church, constructed in 1955, sits on the site where two earlier churches existed. Property for the church was purchased in 1857 from the Fonda Family. Today, you can visit the church to learn more about its architecture, design, and long history as a congregation.