CHURCH HISTORIES Terrebonne Parish, LA CATHOLIC - ST. ANN CATHOLIC CHURCH Submitted by: Cynthia Daigle Source: The Houma Daily Courier and The Terrebonne Press, Houma, LA. Last modified: 10 MARCH 2008 ================================================== NOTE: Most histories were submitted by the church to the Houma Daily Courier and The Terrebonne Press as part of the newspapers Sesquicentennial Edition. Not all churches submitted histories. ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** ================================================== CATHOLIC - ST. ANN CATHOLIC CHURCH Location in 2007 - 4351 Hwy 24, Bourg, LA The Houma Daily Courier and The Terrebonne Press Houma, LA, Oct. 8, 1972, Sunday ST. ANN CALLED GRANDAUGHTER OF ST. FRANCIS Author: St. Ann, Bourg, Souvenir Program Book (for Dedication of new church), and Mrs. Dot Rogers. St. Ann Church at Bourg, once known as Canal Belanger, is what might be called a grand-daughter of St. Francis de Sales Church because it is originated from the lower Terrebonne area whose first pastor was good Pere Denece. Rev. Adrian van der Brook was appointed the first pastor in Dec. 1908 by Archbishop Blank. He immediately started work on a rectory, as a complement to what had been a chapel. Pleading ill health, he returned to Holland in 1922, and Fathers Vandebilt and Greco of St. Francis de Sales were in charge until October 1926. In November 1926 Archbishop Shaw appointed Rev. Etienne as second pastor. He established a mission at Bayou Blue, and flitted there and back in a Model T. Involved with the missionary spirit, he applied for admittance into a Mission Order in February 1929 and left. Rev. Raphael C. Labit was appointed the third pastor on Oct 1, 1929; he had been an assistant at St. Francis, Houma, since 1924. It was his lot to weather the depression days. By phenomenal means, he was able to get the church re-roofed. The altar was given by Rev. Clemens Schneider, 4th pastor from June 1938 to Sept. 1939. He made many rectory improvements. He is best remembered for having activated: "A Boy Scout Troop and the C.Y.O." Rev. Carl J. Shutten, 5th pastor, was appointed by Archbishop Rummel, in Sept 1939. He renovated the church and was a promoter of youth activities. In July, 1941 Rev. Paul Gaudin became the 6th pastor. He reorganized the Sodality, sponsored Scout troops, brought the parish CYO to a No. 1 spot, beautified the church, and built a Church Community Hall. The St. Ann Credit Union was founded by him. As Deanery Director of the CYO, he was "tops". Rev. James Callout was designated as administrator on March 18, 1949 and as pastor on Nov. 3, 1954. Church improvements were made. The CYO program continued to prosper. Carnival Balls, reflecting spiritual themes were inaugurated. A Study Club for youth was organized. "La Fete de Dieu" celebration was revived in May 1951. Annual fairs were given. Church organizations were strengthened. A Father's Club was founded in 1957. A tritium marked St. Ann's Golden Anniversary celebration in 1958, in which all former pastors participated. In September of 1962 Rev. Kasimir Chimelewski succeeded Father Callout as pastor. He immediately undertook the task of building a new church, using the pledge system. Another project of Father Kasimir was the building of a modern mausoleum in the cemetery. The new church which withstood the assault of Hurricane Betsy with some damage (soon repaired). It was solemnly dedicated by Archbishop Philip M. Hannan on Sunday, June 12, 1966. (Betsy completely demolished the old church, which had not as yet been torn down.) Rev. Emile Fossier assumed his pastorate in November 1969; Father Kasimir was transferred to St. Bridget, Schriever. His initial project was the renovation of the rectory, made possible by the funds raised by the Ladies Altar Society. Currently, another project is becoming a reality, i.e., the renovation of the parish gym and community center. Key organization, 200 members strong, in this project is the Ladies Altar Society. Its members and the parishioners at large sponsor an annual benefit fair in the month of June. Father Fossier is deeply grateful to all for their staunch loyalty and cooperation.