(By Marilyn Stewart, The Times-Picayune, New Orleans). Four years after selling the property that had been the congregation’s home for 91 years, Carrollton Presbyterian Church had successfully given away the proceeds–totaling almost $900,000–and brought its 162-year history to a close.
Though an April 30 worship service marked a formal dissolution, the church’s story ends on a “cliffhanger,” the Rev. Lloyd Harsch, pastor, told congregants.
“When people ask, ‘What happened to the ministry of Carrollton Presbyterian Church?’ you can say, look at the lives that have been impacted by [members’] faithful service,” Harsch said. “That impact continues on.”
Beneficiaries of the church’s generosity–individuals, ministries and nonprofit organizations from around the world–were present to express their thanks to the last remaining 13 members. Some partnerships had spanned decades.
Recipients included Evergreen Life Services, Project Homecoming, New Orleans Mission, Covenant House, Bridge House/Grace House, Victory Youth Academy, Trinity Christian Community, Volunteers of America, the Angola Prison Ministry of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR), Baptist Friendship House, and others.
Some gifts totaled as high as $100,000 over the last four years. More than a dozen organizations received $30,000 or more.
African Bible College, with campuses in Liberia, Malawi, and Uganda, received the largest monetary gift, totaling $175,000. Paul Chinchen, president and son of the former church members who founded the school, was present to express thanks for the congregation’s decades-long support.
Whitney Alexander, a former member and now ordained minister, said the news of the church closing was devastating.
“This church made a deep impact on my life,” Alexander said. “I’m so grateful for what Carrollton has meant to the Alexander family, but also what it’s meant to thousands of people.”
Formerly located at 2032 S. Carrollton Ave., the church met at Canal Street Church in Mid-City after selling the property. Giving away the money was an easy decision, Harsch said. “It’s not our money,” Harsch said. “It’s God’s money.
Related articles:
August 2013: Presbyterians conspiring to act in ‘bad faith’
August 2013: Presbytery sanctioned by civil court in ‘scheme’ over church property
October 2012: Presbytery denied U.S. Supreme Court hearing in Carrollton property dispute
February 2012: Presbytery denied state Supreme Court hearing in Carrollton property dispute
September 2011: Court rules trust clause negated and state trust laws must be followed
April 2011: Carrollton case has bearing on all former southern PCUS congregations in PCUSA
January 2010: Presbytery appeals decision
December 2009: Carrollton church wins Declaratory Judgment and Permanent Injunction
December 2009: Presbytery forced to release documents
October 2009: Expenses mount
October 2009: Presbytery found in contempt of court
September 2009: Judge orders presbytery to back off
August 2009: Judge issues ‘written reasons’ favoring Carrollton
September 2008: Presbytery votes to aggressively pursue churches contemplating leaving
1 Comment. Leave new
Carrollton Presbyterian Church fought a long and difficult battle with the PCUSA, but it did not do so for its own benefit, knowing as it did that its days of institutional viability were numbered. It fought that battle to insure what has now happened, that when the time came to close its doors, the resources of the church (especially the value of its real estate) would be applied to the work of the Kingdom of God in New Orleans and all around the world, rather than fall into the hands of an apostate denomination. CPC served the Lord during the time that its doors were open, and it will continue to serve the Lord now that its doors are closed. Well done, Carrollton Presbyterian Church. Well done.