St. Landry Catholic Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Landry Catholic Church
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 Location in Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1020 N. Union St., Opelousas, Louisiana |
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| Area | 1.4 acres (0.57 ha) |
| Built | Completed April 1909 |
| Architect | T. G. Chachere; Owen & Diboll |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004675 |
| Added to NRHP | May 3, 1982 |
St. Landry Catholic Church is a very old and important church in Opelousas, Louisiana. It's a Roman Catholic church named after Saint Landry of Paris, who was a bishop a long, long time ago. The beautiful building you see today was finished in 1909. It mixes Gothic and Romanesque Revival styles.
This church and its cemetery are so special that they were added to the National Register of Historic Places in the United States on May 5, 1982. This means they are protected because of their history. The church's name changed over time. By 1792, it was called "The Church of St Landry."
Contents
A Journey Through Time: St. Landry Catholic Church History
Early Days and First Churches
In the early 1700s, many Catholic families settled in the area now known as Opelousas. Many of them came from Nova Scotia. They didn't have a church building yet. But people still practiced their faith. The first recorded baptism happened on May 16, 1756. It took place at the home of Jacques Courtableau. This home is now in Washington, Louisiana.
The church's early records were saved by Father José de Arazena. He was a pastor from 1785 to 1789. These records mention Friar Valentin, a Capuchin priest. He was the first priest to live there in 1764. By 1766, a church made of cypress wood was built. It was located along the Opelousas River, now called Bayou Courtableau. This became the main church between 1766 and 1770. It was rebuilt in 1774. This new church was just north of today's Bayou Carron. The first name for the church was "Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Post of Opelousas."
Moving to the Current Location
People started worshipping at the church's current spot in 1798. That's when a new wooden building was finished. The church's name also changed to "The Church of St Landry." We don't have exact records of the very first church's location. But Father Michael Bernard Barriere, a pastor from 1813 to 1817, believed it was south of Washington, Louisiana. He said it was on the "Bayou."
Michel Prudhomme gave a large piece of land for the church. It was about 120 acres. Another person, M. Tesson, also gave some land. This land was between the church's current spot and Bayou Tesson. This gift of land happened on October 16, 1796. Later, the land from Tesson was sold to the Marguilliers. These were churchwardens. They were a group of regular church members. They managed the church's property and money. They even helped decide the priests' salaries. Michel Prudhomme is buried inside the main part of the current church. His old French Colonial home, built around 1790, is still standing nearby. It's also on the National Register of Historic Places.
A New Brick Church and Schools
By the mid-1800s, the old wooden church from 1797 was falling apart. It had lasted about 50 years. Bishop William Louis Dubourg visited and suggested building a new church. He hoped it could be made of brick. Finally, on March 4, 1828, a new brick church was blessed. Bishop Rosati from St. Louis led the ceremony. This church was about 60 feet by 40 feet. It was later made wider by Father Gilbert Raymond.
Father Gilbert and his brother, Father J. Francois Raymond, led the church for 35 years. They started a school for boys in 1855. It was called St. Mary's Academy for Boys. Father Gilbert also wanted girls to have a good education. So, he bought land and started the Academy of the Immaculate Conception in 1856.
In 1870, Father Gilbert Raymond bought more land. This was to create a school for Black children in the parish. This school was named St. Joseph's School. Later, in 1971, all these schools combined. They formed what is now known as Opelousas Catholic School.
Building the Grand Church of Today
In 1895, Father John Engberink became the pastor of St. Landry. He decided to build a brand new church. This was a huge project! It would be a great place for the people of St. Landry to worship. Work began in 1902 to remove the old church. A temporary church was used starting in 1900. The new rectory, where the priest lives, was also ready then. The old bricks from the previous church were saved. They were used in the foundation of the new church.
The actual building of the new church started in September 1903. The foundation was very strong. It was 6 feet wide and 1 foot deep. It started 7 feet below the ground. The builders let it harden for a long time before starting the walls. The walls were built in the winter of 1908-09. The first Mass was held in the new church in April 1909. The cornerstone had been placed on August 8, 1908.
The new church was very large. It was 189 feet long and 94 feet wide at the transepts (the arms of the cross shape). The main part of the church was 74 feet wide. It could seat about 2000 people! For many years, it was the second-largest church in the South. It is also the second-oldest parish in the diocese. The inside of the church wasn't fully finished until the early 1920s. This was because there wasn't enough money at first.
Completing the Vision
In 1919, Monsignor Albeit Benedict Colliard became the pastor. He took on the job of finishing the church. Monsignor Colliard paid off the big debt from building the church. He also added beautiful stained-glass windows. When the church was first built, its tower only had a flat roof. But Monsignor Colliard added the tall steeple in 1940.
In 1920, Black church members started their own parish. This was because they were limited to only two pews at the back of St. Landry Church. They created Holy Ghost Catholic Church about a block away.
Monsignor Colliard passed away on May 7, 1950. He was buried in the St. Landry Catholic Cemetery. Monsignor Broussard became the next pastor in 1950. He stayed until 1972. During his time, Monsignor Broussard reopened a boys' school. He also moved the academy, which is now Opelousas Catholic School. He built a new two-story rectory north of the church. In 1963, he had the inside of the church redecorated and air conditioned.
The church and its cemetery were officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 5, 1982.
Many priests have served the people of this church. There have been 33 pastors and many assistants. Monsignor Russell J. Harrington is the current pastor. He works with Permanent Deacons John W. Miller, Sammy Diesi, and Dwayne Joubert.
Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur was also a priest at this church. He is being considered for sainthood in the Catholic Church.
The church parish is dedicated to Saint Landry the Confessor and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
Images for kids
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St. Landry Catholic Church
