Beauvoir’s Story

      In 1956 Rev. Harold Ryker, associate pastor of First Methodist Church in Biloxi, received permission to organize a Methodist Church in west Biloxi. The first worship service took place on February 19, 1956 in a four room house just west of Keesler Air Force Base. Attendance soon outgrew the space, and on April 8, 1956 services were moved to a large tent.

     Not long afterward, funds were raised to purchase property at the present location on Pass Road. The land had been previously owned by the Beauvoir Estate, a fact that gave rise to the church’s name. The congregation first met on the property in a Quonset hut on July 12, 1956 and broke ground for an educational building on October 28, 1956. This building was completed in 1957 and remains in use as the Fellowship Hall, Library, Nursery, and Sunday School rooms. The sanctuary was completed in the 1960s and the Family Life Center in late 1990’s.

     Beauvoir United Methodist Church facilities survived Hurricane Camille in 1969 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 with minimal damage. Following Katrina, Beauvoir played a vital role in hurricane relief and rebuilding efforts. Beauvoir hosted Hands of USA, Hands On Network, Points Of Light Foundation, Americorp, and other relief organizations. Beauvoir also hosted a number of other faith organizations whose facilities were damaged by the storm. These groups included; J.T. Leggett Memorial UM Church, Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Brazilian Assembly of God and Congregation Beth Israel.

     Today Beauvoir United Methodist Church continues to share God’s love and grace to the Biloxi community and beyond!

 

We invite you to come and be a part

of this wonderful faith community!

There is a place for you here at Beauvoir!