HISTORY

 

 


215 South Liberty Street, Original Mission, 1882-1926

The Chinese Presbyterian Church has a history of over one hundred years of service in the greater New Orleans area. It began in Febuary, 1882, as a class for five Chinese men to learn English and to hear the Gospel. It soon became a Presbyterian mission to the Chinese who came through New Orleans, and who settled here.

Four dedicated Christian ladies pioneered and were the directors of the Chinese mission: Miss Lena Saunders, Mrs. E.P. Radford, Miss Anna Creevy and Miss Lois Garrison. The mission was initially located on South Liberty Street and later, on South Roman Street.


Miss Lois Garrison
Mission Director 1928-1952
Miss Garrison was the last director of the mission before it was organized into the Chinese Presbyterian Church in 1957. The church was located at 2525 Bienville Avenue in New Orleans with the Rev. Dayton B. Castleman as its first pastor. He served for thirty years with the church.

During the late 1980's, the church began a period of transition. Recognizing that most of its members moved into the suburbs of Metairie and Kenner, the church began the process of relocation. In that long process, three other pastors came through the church's doors: Rev Richard Hom, Rev. Vincent Mok, and Rev Luke Tse.

In August of 1997, the church moved into its fourth home in the city of Kenner, where it begins a new chapter of life and ministry in the greater New Orleans area.