Immaculate Conception Church, Jennings, 1964; Jefferson Davis, Louisiana Submitted by Kathy Tell Source; Truman Stacey of the Diocese of Lake Charles. Written for the Jubilee Year 2000. Submitted July 2004 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ LOCATION: 515 Bryan Street, Jennings LA, 70546 The church is located on La. 26 in Jennings. This is also called Lake Arthur Avenue. The actual complex is on the West side of the avenue, South of Bryan Street. JENNINGS -- A sense of continuity is a major characteristic of Immaculate Conception Parish in Jennings. Organizations which were launched in the infancy of the parish are still strong supporters. Many individual lay people have contributed time and energy over long years at the same special jobs. Jennings, a relatively young city, grew up along the Missouri Pacific Railway, and its rapid growth after World War II brought about the establishment of a second Catholic parish for the city. The new parish was officially established in 1956 by the Most Rev. Maurice Schexnayder, newly installed as the Bishop of Lafayette. The new parish was centered in South Jennings, from territory taken from the older parish, Our Lady Help of Christians, which had been established in 1891. Older parishioners say that the cooperative spirit of Immaculate Conception Parish may be traced to the wisdom and leadership of its founding pastor, the Rev. John Windt, an energetic and far-seeing priest from Holland. Father Windt conceived and carried out a plan for the new parish, based upon an acre of ground in the southern part of the city along the Lake Arthur Highway, which was to include a church, a school, a parish hall, and convent and a rectory. He lost no time in laying the groundwork for a church. He arranged for an artist from Holland to design, paint the Stations of the Cross, and install stained glass windows, along with special arches. The church, which seats 400, was dedicated in 1964. The other buildings were constructed according to plan, but Father Windt was a leader in other respects as well. He organized the South Jennings Credit Union for his parishioners. It is now the John Windt Credit Union. The parish hall is also John Windt Hall now. Father Windt was one of the first pastors in the Diocese of Lafayette to integrate his parish. A cherished member of the parish was Mrs. Donatile Myers, who was found to be the only 100 percent Acadian during the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Acadians. In 1967 Father Windt was succeeded by the Rev. Harry Tiel, who continued to build up the parish's physical plant. In 1976 the Rev. Nelson Waguespack became pastor, and he was followed by the Rev. Vincent Sedita for 10 months in 1979. In 1980, the Rev. T. L. Herlong became pastor, and was the Pastor until 1991, serving 11 years and three months. During his tenure Our Lady Immaculate School was consolidated in 1985, and the next year the school building was converted into a parish hall, being named "Immaculata Center." A number of creative ministries were developed: Hi God, an active youth group, a Scout troop, and Mothers Day Out. A parish inaugurated, along with Skill Days, Catholic Charities, a Clothes Room, and Adult Friendship days. The ministry to the homebound was expanded, and funeral meals were prepared. Father Oris A. Broussard became pastor on November 1, 1991, and has continued the varied activities developed under his predecessors. A metal roof has been placed over the Perpetual Adoration Chapel, the Family Room and Guest Room. A Ladies Altar Society Room and Maintenance Room have been added. Glass door enclosures and new carpeting have been added to the church. Father Broussard sums it up in the following words: "The different pastors came and went, but the parishioners remain. Their stories remain the rich history of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. The people built the building and breathed the spirit into parish life..." More than a dozen liturgical, devotional and outreach programs are carried on in the parish on a regular basis. The Parish Youth Mission team gives retreats, church missions, youth and children's conferences. The group also visits homes that need some physical repairs and do the repairs. The group also visits nursing homes and shelters. Immaculata Center has a number of outreach programs, including counseling for battered women, Narcotics and Alcohol Anonymous meeting places and Alanon. It provides offices for the Jeff Davis Council on Aging. The real history of the parish, as Father Broussard points out, it to be found in all of these activities carried out by volunteer parishioners. (This history was written by Truman Stacey of and for the Diocese of Lake Charles for the Jubilee Year 2000.) Additional: In February of 2001 Fr. V. Wayne LeBleu was appointed Pastor of Immaculate Conception and served until October of 2002. Fr. Jude Brunnert, M.S. came to us in October of 2002. Fr. Jude is s Missionary of LaSalette and is very interested in seeing that improvements are continued in our parish.