St. Landry Catholic Church
Encyclopedia
St. Landry Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic church
in Opelousas, Louisiana
, dedicated to Saint Landry of Paris
(Bishop c. AD 650). The current church building, in Romanesque Revival style, was completed in 1909.
The church and cemetery were placed on the National Register of Historic Places
in the United States, on May 5, 1982. In 1798, the church had been renamed from the original title, "Parish of Immaculate Conception
of the Post of Opelousas".
and had no established parish in which to worship. Although there was no official church yet, there was a baptism
al ritual which was recorded on May 6, 1756, by Father Pierre Didier, at the home of Jacque Courtableau (now located in Washington, Louisiana
).
The early records of the church, which were saved by Fr. Joseph de Arazena, the fourth pastor of the church of Opelousas from 1785 to 1789, mentions a Capuchin
, Fr. Valentin, as the first resident priest in 1765. By 1767, a wooden, cypress church had been built near Bayou Courtableau, and it became the parish church in 1770. It was rebuilt in 1774. The records also show that the present church site was officially established in 1776 as the "Parish of Immaculate Conception
of the Post of Opelousas".
Worship at the present site was not begun until the year 1798, when the construction of a wood-frame building was completed, and the parish name was changed to "The Church of St Landry". There is no actual record of the original location of the church, but it is believed, according to Fr. Michael Bernard Barriere, pastor from 1813 to 1817, that the church was located a short distance from the present site and being on the Bayou Tesson.
He noted that: "During the year 1798, the present church was moved from the bayou (he spells it "Baillou") in the locality called 'Ponte a M. Tesson' ".
Michel Prudhomme donated a section of land of 120 arpent, 3x40 arpents in width/length, and M. Tesson donated a section of 1 arpent. The land donated by Mrs. Tesson was located between the present site of the church and Bayou Tesson, also known as the Gully, to the west. The donation of land was made on October 16, 1796. Later the land donated by Tesson was sold to the Marguilliers and was known as the "Church Addition". A Marguillier is a churchwarden: churchwardens were a group of layman who were in charge of the church property and money. They governed the church and even controlled the salary of the priests in many cases. Michel Prudhomme is buried in the nave
of the present church. Michel Prudhomme's French Colonial home, built around 1770, still stands near the church, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
By the early 19th century, the old wooden structure that was built on Bayou Tesson and moved in 1798 to the present site, was in a very dilapidated condition. It had lasted about fifty years. On an official visit by the Rt. Rev. William Louis Dubourg, a recommendation was made that a new church be built. If possible, a brick structure was to be erected. Finally, on March 4, 1828, the new brick church was consecrated by Bishop Rosati, of St. Louis, Administrator of Louisiana. The church measured 60 xx, and was later expanded to 100 feet (30.5 m) wide by Fr. Gilbert Raymond. Fr. Gilbert Raymond and his brother Fr. J. Francois Raymond were in charge of the parish for thirty-five years. They started a school for boys which was known as St. Mary's Academy for Boys. His next step was affording the girls the same opportunity of acquiring a solid, Christian education. After purchasing a piece of land, the Academy of the Immaculate Conception was started.
During the year of 1870, Fr. Raymond purchased another piece of land for the creation of a school for the black children of the parish. This school was known under the name of St. Joseph's School.
Of Fr. Raymond's greatest works, was the starting of the college for young men, which had an important part in the development of the entire state of Louisiana
. Many men, leaders in business, professional and political life of the section, leaders of their people in general, of great intellectual ability and deep practical faith received their education in the parochial school
and finished at the college. Much of the glory of Southwest Louisiana may be attributed to the training which the citizens received from the college, and moral precepts which were made an important factor in the course of instruction.
In 1895, the Very Reverend
John Engberink Rector and Dean, was given the task of erecting a new church and presbytery. At the same time, he was promoted from the parish in Cameron to St. Landry. This was a great undertaking and would prove to be a great asset to the worshipers of the parish of St. Landry. The work of removing and clearing away of the old church was started in 1902. A temporary church, which had been completed and occupied in 1900, was used until the new church was erected. The new rectory was occupied at the same time. The old bricks of the previous structure were preserved and used in the foundation of the present church.
The actual work on the new church was started in September, 1903. The foundation resting on a bed of concrete 6 by 1 ft (1.8 by 0.3048 m), starting 7 feet (2.1 m) below the surface of the ground, was built four feet above the surface and given considerable time to harden, before the walls were started. The construction of the walls began in the winter of 1908-09 and was completed and occupied, the first Mass being said on the first Friday of April 1909. The cornerstone had been laid August 8, 1908. The size of the church was very large, being 189 by 94 ft (57.6 by 28.7 m) wide in the transept
s, and 74 ft (22.6 m) in the body of the church. The seating capacity
was about 2000. The church has been the second-largest church in the South and the second-oldest parish in the diocese
. The interior of the church was not completed until later, because of lack of funds.
When in 1919 Fr. Albeit Benedict Colliard was made pastor, after the death of Fr. Engberink, he took on the task of completing the church. Fr. Colliard paid off the large debt incurred in building the church and added stained-glass windows
. The steeple was added also. When the church was first built there was only a flat roof on the tower. The steeple was added on later.
Fr. Colliard died on May 7, 1950, at the age of 69 and is buried in the St. Landry Cemetery. Monsignor Broussard was the next pastor of the parish. Arriving in 1950, he remained until 1972. While here, Fr. Broussard reestablished a boy's school. As a builder he moved the academy, which is now Opelousas Catholic, from south of the church to due east of the church, had a new two-story rectory constructed north of the church, and then in 1963 had the interior of the church redecorated and air conditioned
.
The church and the church cemetery were placed on the National Register of Historic Places
in the United States on May 5, 1982.
To this date there have been 24 pastors, countless assistants, and 3 deacons who served the people of this parish. Father James Brady is the current pastor, with John W. Miller and Sammy Diesi as his Permanent Deacons
.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in Opelousas, Louisiana
Opelousas, Louisiana
Opelousas is a city in and the parish seat of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies at the junction of Interstate 49 and U.S. Route 190. The population was 22,860 at the 2000 census. Although the 2006 population estimate was 23,222, a 2004 annexation should put the city's...
, dedicated to Saint Landry of Paris
Landry of Paris
Saint Landry of Paris was a bishop of Paris and saint. Consecrated bishop of Paris in 650, he built the first major hospital in the city, dedicating it to Saint Christopher, which is now the Hôtel-Dieu...
(Bishop c. AD 650). The current church building, in Romanesque Revival style, was completed in 1909.
The church and cemetery were placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in the United States, on May 5, 1982. In 1798, the church had been renamed from the original title, "Parish of Immaculate Conception
Immaculate Conception
The Immaculate Conception of Mary is a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church, according to which the Virgin Mary was conceived without any stain of original sin. It is one of the four dogmata in Roman Catholic Mariology...
of the Post of Opelousas".
History
In the days of the early 18th century, the area of what is now known as Opelousas was settled by a number of Catholics, many of whom were from Nova ScotiaNova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
and had no established parish in which to worship. Although there was no official church yet, there was a baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
al ritual which was recorded on May 6, 1756, by Father Pierre Didier, at the home of Jacque Courtableau (now located in Washington, Louisiana
Washington, Louisiana
Washington is a small town in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,082 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Opelousas–Eunice Micropolitan Statistical Area....
).
The early records of the church, which were saved by Fr. Joseph de Arazena, the fourth pastor of the church of Opelousas from 1785 to 1789, mentions a Capuchin
Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans. The worldwide head of the Order, called the Minister General, is currently Father Mauro Jöhri.-Origins :...
, Fr. Valentin, as the first resident priest in 1765. By 1767, a wooden, cypress church had been built near Bayou Courtableau, and it became the parish church in 1770. It was rebuilt in 1774. The records also show that the present church site was officially established in 1776 as the "Parish of Immaculate Conception
Immaculate Conception
The Immaculate Conception of Mary is a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church, according to which the Virgin Mary was conceived without any stain of original sin. It is one of the four dogmata in Roman Catholic Mariology...
of the Post of Opelousas".
Worship at the present site was not begun until the year 1798, when the construction of a wood-frame building was completed, and the parish name was changed to "The Church of St Landry". There is no actual record of the original location of the church, but it is believed, according to Fr. Michael Bernard Barriere, pastor from 1813 to 1817, that the church was located a short distance from the present site and being on the Bayou Tesson.
He noted that: "During the year 1798, the present church was moved from the bayou (he spells it "Baillou") in the locality called 'Ponte a M. Tesson' ".
Michel Prudhomme donated a section of land of 120 arpent, 3x40 arpents in width/length, and M. Tesson donated a section of 1 arpent. The land donated by Mrs. Tesson was located between the present site of the church and Bayou Tesson, also known as the Gully, to the west. The donation of land was made on October 16, 1796. Later the land donated by Tesson was sold to the Marguilliers and was known as the "Church Addition". A Marguillier is a churchwarden: churchwardens were a group of layman who were in charge of the church property and money. They governed the church and even controlled the salary of the priests in many cases. Michel Prudhomme is buried in the nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
of the present church. Michel Prudhomme's French Colonial home, built around 1770, still stands near the church, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
By the early 19th century, the old wooden structure that was built on Bayou Tesson and moved in 1798 to the present site, was in a very dilapidated condition. It had lasted about fifty years. On an official visit by the Rt. Rev. William Louis Dubourg, a recommendation was made that a new church be built. If possible, a brick structure was to be erected. Finally, on March 4, 1828, the new brick church was consecrated by Bishop Rosati, of St. Louis, Administrator of Louisiana. The church measured 60 xx, and was later expanded to 100 feet (30.5 m) wide by Fr. Gilbert Raymond. Fr. Gilbert Raymond and his brother Fr. J. Francois Raymond were in charge of the parish for thirty-five years. They started a school for boys which was known as St. Mary's Academy for Boys. His next step was affording the girls the same opportunity of acquiring a solid, Christian education. After purchasing a piece of land, the Academy of the Immaculate Conception was started.
During the year of 1870, Fr. Raymond purchased another piece of land for the creation of a school for the black children of the parish. This school was known under the name of St. Joseph's School.
Of Fr. Raymond's greatest works, was the starting of the college for young men, which had an important part in the development of the entire state of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. Many men, leaders in business, professional and political life of the section, leaders of their people in general, of great intellectual ability and deep practical faith received their education in the parochial school
Parochial school
A parochial school is a school that provides religious education in addition to conventional education. In a narrower sense, a parochial school is a Christian grammar school or high school which is part of, and run by, a parish.-United Kingdom:...
and finished at the college. Much of the glory of Southwest Louisiana may be attributed to the training which the citizens received from the college, and moral precepts which were made an important factor in the course of instruction.
In 1895, the Very Reverend
Very Reverend
The Very Reverend is a style given to certain religious figures.*In the Roman Catholic Church, by custom, priests who hold positions of particular note: e.g...
John Engberink Rector and Dean, was given the task of erecting a new church and presbytery. At the same time, he was promoted from the parish in Cameron to St. Landry. This was a great undertaking and would prove to be a great asset to the worshipers of the parish of St. Landry. The work of removing and clearing away of the old church was started in 1902. A temporary church, which had been completed and occupied in 1900, was used until the new church was erected. The new rectory was occupied at the same time. The old bricks of the previous structure were preserved and used in the foundation of the present church.
The actual work on the new church was started in September, 1903. The foundation resting on a bed of concrete 6 by 1 ft (1.8 by 0.3048 m), starting 7 feet (2.1 m) below the surface of the ground, was built four feet above the surface and given considerable time to harden, before the walls were started. The construction of the walls began in the winter of 1908-09 and was completed and occupied, the first Mass being said on the first Friday of April 1909. The cornerstone had been laid August 8, 1908. The size of the church was very large, being 189 by 94 ft (57.6 by 28.7 m) wide in the transept
Transept
For the periodical go to The Transept.A transept is a transverse section, of any building, which lies across the main body of the building. In Christian churches, a transept is an area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform building in Romanesque and Gothic Christian church architecture...
s, and 74 ft (22.6 m) in the body of the church. The seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
was about 2000. The church has been the second-largest church in the South and the second-oldest parish in the diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
. The interior of the church was not completed until later, because of lack of funds.
When in 1919 Fr. Albeit Benedict Colliard was made pastor, after the death of Fr. Engberink, he took on the task of completing the church. Fr. Colliard paid off the large debt incurred in building the church and added stained-glass windows
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
. The steeple was added also. When the church was first built there was only a flat roof on the tower. The steeple was added on later.
Fr. Colliard died on May 7, 1950, at the age of 69 and is buried in the St. Landry Cemetery. Monsignor Broussard was the next pastor of the parish. Arriving in 1950, he remained until 1972. While here, Fr. Broussard reestablished a boy's school. As a builder he moved the academy, which is now Opelousas Catholic, from south of the church to due east of the church, had a new two-story rectory constructed north of the church, and then in 1963 had the interior of the church redecorated and air conditioned
Air conditioning
An air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...
.
The church and the church cemetery were placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in the United States on May 5, 1982.
To this date there have been 24 pastors, countless assistants, and 3 deacons who served the people of this parish. Father James Brady is the current pastor, with John W. Miller and Sammy Diesi as his Permanent Deacons
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
.