David Shamieh didn’t purchase the First Baptist Church Building at the corner of Pujo and Hodges in Lake Charles for $8 million because he considered it prime investment property.
“I hate to see history destroyed,” he said, especially a church. So many people have told me about their memories here, memories of weddings, baptisms and Sunday School lessons as youngsters.”
Shamieh is a Palestinian Christian and citizen of the U.S. Seventeen years ago he came to Lake Charles, attended McNeese and received a Master’s degree in business. After receiving his degree, he applied for citizenship.
“I didn’t have to become an American citizen,” he said. “I chose to. I pay taxes just like everyone else.”
It has occurred to him that if he looked different and had no accent, his vision for restoration of the Church’s sanctuary would be better received. He has spent millions on the project and it’s going to take millions more.
Nevertheless he has no regrets, just a plan, a vision. He would like to see the church on the national historical register, and he wants the sanctuary restored to its original lines and materials, right down to the huge and wildly ornate wood and stained glass design over the doors at the Pujo Street main entrance.
The acoustics of the church are unparalleled – no echo, Shemiah said. It was built especially to carry the sound of the speaker and emphasize the beauty of the choir’s voices and the pipe organ, one of the largest in the area.
Historical highlights
First Baptist Church of Lake Charles began its mission before there was a church, in 1880. A historic moment arrived for First Baptist Church on February 12, 1908. The cornerstone was laid at Hodges and Pujo, according to the church history compiled and written by the historical ministry team in 2005. The following information is from that book.
The building was brick, a modified Gothic style, with a seating capacity of 700. There were beautiful stained glass windows and a stained glass skylight.
Dr. William L. Stagg. Jr. came to FBC in 1941 and Brotherhood, a missionary organization for Baptist men, was organized in 1942 by Terrell Woosley as the first president. Forty men were enrolled.
During Stagg’s ministry, a building fund was begun and definite plans to enlarge the facilities. A building on Hodges Street was purchased as an annex in late 1943. A two-story educational building on the westside of the sanctuary was planned. Building was postponed because of World War II.
Dr. Paul E. Roberts was pastor from 1951 -1958. The area was experiencing rapid industrial growth. Membership went from 1620 to over 3,000.
In May 1952, First Baptist members attended a Loyalty Dinner, 900 strong to launch a building fund drive. L. M. George was Chair. Members were Carroll Hixson, J.G. Love, Terrell Woosley, Mount Talbot, J.B. Holloman, D. L. Widham, James O. Fogeman and George Grein. Elwood Reames, a church deacon, served as architect.
Formal dedication of the new building was held October 16-20, 1057 with a five-day program of services.
Uncertain no more
When Hurricane Laura devastated the region August 27, 2020, the First Baptist Church suffered extensive damage, leaving its future uncertain. Many saw demolition as the only viable option.
David Shamieh saw an opportunity to preserve and restore what he sees as not only an example of the community’s history and good example of post-WWII architecture, but also representative of how God shapes events and changes lives – then and now.
He purchased the Church November 2021 and quickly set about to roof and air condition the over 100,000 square foot structure.
“People told me I was crazy, to just tear it down and be done with it, but I just didn’t have the heart.”
Shamieh, like so many Southwest Louisiana residents and business owners, had to hire an attorney to get justice in securing a settlement on behalf of the First Baptist Church of Lake Charles.
“The damage was severe,” said Rudy R. Soileau, Jr., Lundy & Lundy, “and the underpayment by the insurance company was a significant hurdle.”
Shemiah has already renovated part of the building for an event center, The Royal. It has two separate venues, one 5,000 square feet and the other 10,000 square feet. It is luxurious. The flooring is marble from Spain, sparkling white with grains of gray that is not slippery like the marble mined in other regions. The bathroom wall tile is luxurious and the chandeliers, shimmering. He also purchased and renovated the old Delta School of Business and re-imagined and rebuilt the community counseling center on Hodges Street.
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