St. Mary Magdalen Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Mary Magdalen Church, Rectory, and Cemetery
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 Location in Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 300 Pere Megret St., Abbeville, Louisiana |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1911 |
| Built by | Eugene Guillot |
| Architectural style | Gothic, Romanesque Revival, American Foursquare |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000116 |
| Added to NRHP | February 11, 1988 |
St. Mary Magdalen Church is an old and important Roman Catholic church in Abbeville, Louisiana. In 1988, the church, its rectory (where the priest lives), and its cemetery were added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are special places worth protecting.
The cemetery started around 1844. The church building you see today was built in 1911. The rectory, which is built in the American Foursquare style, was finished in 1921.
The church is made of red bricks and has a Gothic style. It also has some Romanesque Revival details. You can see strong supports called buttresses on its outside walls.
Contents
The Church's Early Days
St. Mary Magdalen Parish began in 1842, thanks to Pere Antoine Desire Megret. The very first church was actually a remodeled home, opened in 1844. It was named after Saint Mary Magdalen, a favorite saint among the people from Acadia who settled in South Louisiana.
In 1851, the church became the main parish church for Vermilion Parish. Reverend Hubert Thirion was the first full-time pastor. He worked with Reverend Francis Mittlebronn, who was the first assistant priest.
Lost Records and New Beginnings
A fire at the rectory in February 1854 sadly destroyed many church records. The parish records we have today start from February 20, 1854. They tried to rewrite baptism records by asking families to report their children's baptisms. However, all marriage records from before that fire were lost forever.
Growth and Changes Over Time
Many priests helped the church grow over the years. Reverend Jean Arthur Poyet, who became pastor in 1856, was very active. He visited many parts of the parish, from Delcambre to the Gulf shore.
In 1868, Reverend Theodore Lamy welcomed a young priest named Alexandre Mehault. Father Mehault later became one of the most important pastors for St. Mary Magdalen Church.
Father Mehault's Impact
Father Mehault became pastor in May 1870. During his time, a new rectory was built, and a new bell was added to the church. He also made many other improvements. He brought back beautiful items from France, like special clothes for ceremonies, statues, and religious objects. The church became a very beautiful place for worship.
He also brought Catholic education to the area. He convinced the Sisters of Mount Carmel from New Orleans to open a school in Abbeville.
By 1884, the old church building was too small. Everyone agreed they needed a bigger one. On May 28, 1884, the new St. Mary Magdalen Church was officially blessed.
In 1896, St. Mary Magdalen's Parish became a legal organization. All the church property was officially given to this new church group.
Fires and Rebuilding
Father Fabian Laforest became pastor in 1899. He was a talented and smart priest. He added a new organ in 1904 and made the rectory bigger. In 1905, he helped create a new cemetery and put new pews in the church.
On March 22, 1907, a big fire completely destroyed the church and the rectory. This fire also destroyed some baptism records from 1901 to 1904. Out of 1541 lost records, only 274 were recovered. Father Laforest quickly set up a temporary church. The new St. Mary Magdalen Church, which is the one standing today, was finished and opened in 1911.
Leaders and Community Efforts
Father Laforest passed away in 1915 and was buried in the new cemetery he helped develop. Reverend Julien Ravier Bollard became the new pastor. He was a very devoted priest and served in Abbeville for 15 years. During his time, the Diocese of Lafayette was formed, and St. Mary Magdalen Parish became part of this new diocese.
Modern Improvements and Challenges
In 1930, Reverend Edmund Daull became pastor. He made many improvements to the church. During his time, youth programs really started to grow, thanks to a young assistant priest named Reverend Joseph Verbis Lafleur. Father Lafleur sadly died as a prisoner during World War II. He was last seen helping others to safety from a sinking ship.
Monsignor Paul Fusilier became pastor in 1950. He helped build a new Catholic school building in 1953. He also made many repairs and improvements to the church and rectory, even putting a new cross on top of the church spire himself. He also built a new chapel and a convent for French Dominican Sisters.
Bishop Robert E. Tracy served as pastor for six months in 1959. Even in that short time, he did many important things. He restored the rectory, built a six-room center for religious education, and improved the church's exterior. He also started a successful religious education program for adults.
Monsignor Ignatius A. Martin became pastor in 1960 and served until 1973. He brought new community groups to the parish. He also helped build a music room and an extra classroom at the school. Other projects included a new mausoleum, a new high school (Vermilion Catholic High), a football stadium, and bigger offices at the rectory.
Monsignor Richard von Phul Mouton became pastor in 1973. He also worked to make the church more beautiful. He focused on helping the elderly and those who couldn't leave their homes. He also greatly reduced the church's debt. In 1975, a part of the church was renovated into a small chapel for weekday Masses, named Holy Parents Chapel.
In August 1981, the sacristy (a room where priests prepare for services) and the chapel were badly damaged by fire. Repairs and renovations took place in 1981 and 1982. In 1984, the community center was given to the school to be used as classrooms. This made space for a new ministries building, which was finished in 1985. This new building holds the parish offices, meeting rooms, and a bookstore.
