BERTELS, (Rev.) Frank, Belgium, then Caddo Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller
Date: 1999-2000



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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and
Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 485-486.  Edited by Alc‚e
Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

Bertels, Rev. Frank, Catholic priest, was born in Belgium, Sept. 25, 1857, and
was educated in his native land, whence he came to the United States when he
was 18 years of age.  After teaching for several years in various colleges,
especially in the Southern states, he joined the diocese of Natchitoches, now
Alexandria, in 1900, and 3 years later became rector of the Holy Trinity
Catholic church at Shreveport, where he has continued until the present.  This
church was established many years ago; Rev. Father John Pierre reached
Shreveport some time in 1856, built a chapel and the first baptism is recorded
Feb. 15, 1857.  Father Pierre was a true and noble priest of God.  He served
the Shreveport community until, after heroic services he was stricken by
yellow fever Sept. 16, 1873.  That same year saw the death of Father
Quemerais, Sept. 15; Father Billier, Sept. 26; Father Gergaud, Oct. 1, and
Father Le Vezoust, Oct. 8.  Rev. Father John Gentille reached Shreveport from 
Lake Providence, Dec. 10, 1873.   After 22 years of faithful service he died
in New Orleans, Oct. 15, 1895.  He was succeeded by Father S. B. Scharl, who
in Feb. 1903 resigned to retire into a Benedictine monastery in Pennsylvania. 
He was replaced by Rev. F. Van Haver until Jan. 25, 1904, when the present
rector took charge of Holy Trinity.