Pearl Memorial United Methodist Church facts for kids
Pearl Memorial United Methodist Church was a church in North Omaha, Nebraska. It was part of the United Methodist Church and served the Miller Park neighborhood for many years. The church building is located at 2319 Ogden Street in Omaha, Nebraska.
Contents
A Look at Pearl Memorial's History
How the Church Started
In the 1890s, a group of people started meeting to worship. They met in the "upper room of a drug store" at 24th and Ames Avenue. This group became a Methodist Episcopal church. The first pastor of Pearl Memorial was Reverend G. A. Luce.
Early Buildings and Growth
The church built its first regular building in 1905. This was at North 24th and Larimore Streets. In 1907, the church received a special gift. They were given land near 24th and Fort Streets. They built the first Methodist church in that community there in 1905. Later, another church called Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church moved. This made Pearl Memorial the only United Methodist church in North Omaha.
Community Activities and Sports
Pearl Memorial Church was a busy place for kids and teens. From the 1910s to the 1950s, the church had basketball and baseball teams. These teams played in church leagues all over the city. From the 1970s to the 1990s, the church continued to host many sports. These activities were for young people in the local community.
Helping the Neighborhood
The church offered many services to people living nearby. It had a food pantry to help families with groceries. There was also a youth community center for young people. The church provided social services to help low-income families.
The Church's Later Years
The Pearl Memorial congregation stopped meeting in the early 2000s.
The Church Building Over Time
Moving and Expanding
Pearl Memorial Church was first located at 2519 Ames Avenue. It moved to its current building in 1914. In the late 1920s, the church added new parts. They opened an educational and social wing next to the main church area. They also finished the basement. It had a large basketball court.
Kitchen for Training
In the 1980s, the church updated a kitchen in the basement. They made it into a commercial-style cooking area. This kitchen was used to teach cooking skills. It helped local people learn new skills for jobs.
See also
- History of Omaha
- List of churches in Omaha, Nebraska
External links
- Pearl Memorial United Methodist Church website
- Modern photo
- Historic postcard
