ABOUT US
Gulfside is a faith-based organization. We have been in mission since 1923 serving Hancock County, Mississippi and beyond. We have a covenant relationship with the United Methodist Church, however we are ecumenical and provide programming and services to all regardless of religion or race. In keeping with our mission, we focus on the underserved, especially children and families with a focus on faith, education, culture, and recreation.
Our History
Providing Refuge Since 1923
In 1920, Robert Elijah Jones was ordained as the first African American Bishop in the segregated states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. This area contained over 390,000 African American congregants.
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In 1922 Bishop Robert Elijah Jones was invited to the Lakeside Assembly in Lakeside Ohio as a guest speaker. This mile-square facility was a Chautauqua resort that opened during the summer offering religious instruction, education, cultural and art events, and recreation. While there, he got the idea for a similar facility for his conference which included Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. He raised $4,000.00 with the help of individuals and churches to purchase land. With this he bought 300 acres and leased another 316 acres along the beach in Waveland, Mississippi. Gulfside officially opened April 16, 1923. There was one building on the entire 616 acres called the Jackson House. The Jackson House was once owned by the adopted son of Andrew Jackson and had 22 bedrooms. Bishop Jones marshaled the forces of 14 preachers and local craftsmen and repaired the dilapidated structure. They made their own cinder blocks on the property, added a chapel, a screened-in pavilion, cottages, and other structures. They also added a tennis court and other recreational areas.
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Gulfside was renamed Gulfside Assembly in 1924 and for the first two decades under the leadership of Bishop Jones, Gulfside served as a pivotal point of the New Orleans area, along with active involvement of the states of Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama. The school for poor boys served as its’ core ministry, education year around. This was the only year- round program on the grounds. The school provided education and skills beyond early elementary grades. Under Bishop Jones, Gulfside continued to be the focal point for training, youth retreats, jurisdictional meetings and leadership training. Gulfside became the first religiously based educational and retreat facility on the entire Gulf Coast open to any person of color.
In 1935 the Jackson House was destroyed by fire under mysterious circumstances.
In 1944 the Gulfside mantle was passed on to Bishop Robert N. Brooks. Under his leadership, and over a period of eight years, Brooks Chapel, Longmore Inn (100 rooms), Harry Hoosier Auditorium (1000 seats), and the bishop’s house were built.
In 1947 a Category 4 hurricane struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast destroying the rebuilt Jackson House and other buildings.
During the 1950s, Bishop Brooks was able to build summer cottages, campground cottages, campgrounds, and purchase 20 acres owned by Bishop Jones. Under his leadership, jurisdictional meetings, youth retreats, leadership training and other programs occurred. Bishop Brooks died on august 2, 1953 and is buried on the grounds of Gulfside.
Bishop Jones died in 1960 in New Orleans and is buried on the grounds of Gulfside next to bishop Brooks. The year of Bishop Jones’ death, Gulfside assembly had paid off its debts and had more than $200,000.00 in assets.
Gulfside went on to serve for many years not only as a place for retreats and vacations but also as a staging area for opposition to racism and segregation. Gulfside served as a meeting place for the Civil Rights Movement.
Attorney Constance Baker Motley, (later becoming Judge Baker Motley) had her headquarters at Gulfside as she waged a legal battle against segregation at the University of Mississippi Law School in 1962. She won in the James Meredith case.
During the mid-sixties, Gulfside was a haven and a refuge for civil rights leaders and organizations such as the NAACP. SNCC, CORE and others. In 1968, the all-Black Central Jurisdiction was disbanded, and the Black membership was interspersed among the existing white conferences. Gulfside continued to be used for racially integrated study conferences, youth retreats, and mission conferences.
In August of 1969, Hurricane Camille struck the Gulf Coast. 26 buildings were destroyed. Four buildings remained, Jones Hall, Longmore Inn, Harry Hoosier Hall, and the bishop’s house. Gulfside struggled to preserve the resort during the 70s and 80s. Funds were raised to help pay for repairs and add new buildings, including Mays Center, the director’s cottage, and the caretaker’s cottage.
Gulfside Booster Clubs and Friends of Gulfside organizations were established throughout the south to rebuild and support the ministries of Gulfside. Gulfside ministries continued to serve the Bay-Waveland area and outlying areas sponsoring conferences, providing summer camps, youth activities, weddings, retreats, area meetings, family reunions and other activities. Students, religious and other organizations of all races utilized Gulfside for retreats and workshops.
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Under the leadership of Deaconess Marion Martin, Gulfside provided many programs for children and youth. Programming included the Mission Education and Travel Study Seminar (METSS), HBCU College Tours and Career Fairs, after school tutoring, and others.
Gulfside also sponsored the Men in Black Bow Ties and Women in White events as annual fund raisers.
Bishop Norris Hall hotel and conference center was built and dedicated in August three weeks before Hurricane Katrina. On August 29th of 2005, Gulfside was destroyed by hurricane Katrina, Including the three-million-dollar Norris Hall facility.
Following the hurricane, Gulfside housed UMCOR volunteers for several years who assisted in recovery of the area.
Mollie Stewart followed in Marion Martin’s leadership, continuing the work of ministries and partnerships across the United Methodist connection, and Hancock County. Mollie led a campaign for rebuilding on the campus which was halted due to the British Petroleum (BP) Oil Spill in April of 2010 which impacted the ecosystem of the Gulf Coast region.
The Bishop Leontine T. C. Kelly Open Air Prayer Chapel was dedicated on the property in 2016. The chapel has served for religious occasions, community activities, meetings, and weddings.
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Today, the open-air prayer chapel, dedicated in 2016 and named in honor of the late Bishop Leontine Kelly, the first African-American female Bishop of The United Methodist Church, stands as a symbol of Gulfside Assembly’s enduring spirit. It’s a reminder of the Assembly’s rich legacy and unwavering commitment to unity, empowerment, and change. As the sun sets over the Gulf Coast, casting a golden hue over the waters, Gulfside Assembly continues to shine as a beacon of hope and unity for all.
In 2016, Gulfside was designated as a historical site by the United Methodist Church. Historical site designation had also previously been issued by the state of Mississippi.
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In 2021, Cheryl Webster Thompson was named Interim Director and in 2022, Executive Director of Gulfside Assembly. Under her leadership, Gulfside continued its ministry for youth and the underserved through the annual College Tours and SEJ Harambee event. During the COVID Quarantine, we provided an online webinar series focused on youth leadership development and college prep.
In 2022, Gulfside was assigned Althea Belton, a full-time missionary from the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries to coordinate outreach ministries.
