CHURCH HISTORIES Terrebonne Parish, LA CATHOLIC - St. FRANCIS DE SALES 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. FRANCIS DE SALES CATHOLIC CHURCH Location in 2007 - 500 Goode Street, Houma, LA The Houma Daily Courier and The Terrebonne Press Houma, LA, Oct. 8, 1972, Sunday ST. FRANCIS DE SALES: LANDMARK CATHOLIC CHURCH By Mary Tracy Duplantis EDITED Authors: St. Francis de Sales Church: History of St. Francis by Rev. Frederic J. Cooley (at time of Centennial Celebration), the Terrebonne Parish Library, the Marianites of Holy Cross, Miss Alida Wester and Miss Gertrude Henry. A quarter of a century ago, Lenox Hotard Post 31, paid this glowing tribute to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in the Parish Centennial Program Book. "For one hundred years to St. Francis de Sales Church has nourished and attended the spiritual life of many of the citizens of our community. In time of peace and prosperity, it has used its offices to guide our people along the path of righteousness. In time of war and distress, it has lent its force and strength to help them transcend the trials and tribulations which faced them. Its contribution to the moral and spiritual life of the inhabitants of this parish is immeasurable." To preface our 125th Anniversary Historical Sketch of the Catholic Mother Church of Terrebonne, we can ___ after much research, no more fitting tribute than that of the Post named for one who sacrificed his life for his country, and who is "at rest" in Arlington Cemetery. (It has been the privilege of this writer to visit his grave site). The designation of St. Francis de Sales as parish patron was apropos; he was a Frenchman and was often referred to as the "Gentleman Saint". Our original parishioners, residents of Terrebonne Parish, were predominately of French descent - most of them being Creoles or Cajuns. Pastors are usually thought of as Good Shepherds of their respective flocks, truly a Christian concept. In presenting the 125th Anniversary Chronicle of St. Francis de Sales, we shall do so not in terms of dates and stark statics, but in keeping with the labors, trials, tribulations, hardships, experiences, achievements, successes, failures, joys, sorrows, heartaches, etc. - the gamut of life for both pastors and parishioners, human beings all, in the Brotherhood of man, under the Fatherhood of God. REV. Z. LEVEQUE, FOUNDING PASTOR In the year 1887, June 14, one year prior to the incorporation of the City of Houma, Robert Ruffin Barrow presented to the Most Rev. Antoine Blanc, Bishop of New Orleans, a tract of land for the purpose of erecting a Catholic Church. This may well be considered the date of the parish. Rev. Z. Lefeque, first pastor, living under rather primitive conditions, administered to parishioners scattered throughout the civil parish of Terrebonne, mainly along the four principal bayous: Terrebonne, Little Caillou, Grand Caillou and Bayou Black. His presbytery (rectory) can best be described as a "shack". Exactly what the first church looked like we know not, due to a dearth of early record; in size it was ninety feet long and forty-seven feet wide, large enough to accommodate a parish of forty homes. Father Leveque did not see his work brought to completion; he was transferred in April, 1848. REV. E. BARTHE 1848 - 1852 Rev. E. Barthe, who referred to himself as "C. d'H" (Cure d'Houma), had the privilege of completing the first church, which was blessed and dedicated during the first year of his pastorate. (Prior to that time Mass had been celebrated in the Court House.) During his administration the first group "made their First Communion." The class numbered 34, ranging in age from 20 to 12 years of age. Father Barthe left Houma in October of 1852. However, he had the privilege of officiating at the first Baptism, the first Wedding and the first Funeral. The first person to be baptized was Valentin Amos Legrange, son of Lubin Lagrange and Eulalie Arcenault; born on Nov. 6, 1847 and baptized Feb. 14, 1848. The first marriage, a validation, on March 4, 1848, was that of Napoleon Babin and Marie Silvanise Babin, first cousins. Adolph Verret's wife (nee Marie Aglae Guenou), aged 27, was the first parishioner to died, on Feb. 27, 1948. She was buried in the Thibodaux cemetery. REV. J. ROGALLE, Shortest Pastorate Rev. J. Rogalle came to St. Francis in January, 1853, and departed in February of the same year. His was the shortest pastorate. REV. F. TASSET March, 1854 - May 12, 1865 A year elapsed before the arrival of the next pastor, Rev. F. Tasset, who served for eleven years, yet left meager records. He was the first to work in behalf of the Negroes, and during his administration many slaves who belonged to Catholic families were baptized. The first "Episcopal Visitation" to the parish of St. Francis de Sales was made, on May 27, 1958, by Archbishop Antoine Blanc, who found all in order. He administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 70 candidates - This marked the first time the sacrament was conferred in the parish. During the last year of Father Tasset's pastorate, the parish of St. Francis was divided for the first time. On Nov. 9, 1864, Bayou Terrebonne and Bayou Little Caillou below Presquille, and Bayou Grand Caillou were constituted into a new parish, Rev. M.J. Denece was the first pastor; he stayed with Father Tasset for a while, before taking up residence at Chauvin. REV. H. GONELLAZ March 13, 1965 - January 7, 1872 Although he served the Parish for several years, according to a historian, "His pastorate seems to have been entirely uneventful, and nothing is known about him except that possibly he possessed a dry sense of humor, which has served him well during Reconstruction Days." REV. J.A. POYET Feb, 1872 - April 1890 Rev. J. A. Poyet was renouned as a preacher. Further divisions of the Parish were made while he was pastor. The first was that of Bayou du Large. Land for the parish church and cemetery was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Michael Eloi Theriot; the church's patron, St. Eloi, was Mr. Theriot's patron saint. Gibson seems to have been detached from St. Francis during his pastorate. REV. JEAN MARIUS LAVAL April, 1890 - Jan. 1894 Rev. Jean Marius Laval, who later became Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans, built the original Old Rectory. He had the church cleaned and added a new sacristy. While pastor, (on Aug. 4, 1892) with great foresight, he purchased a part of Flora Plantation from Peter and John Berger. This act of sale permitted the construction of a mission chapel dedicated to St. Anthony. (Recently, it became a full-fledged parish.) REV. ROBERT MOISE January 1894 - September 1895 Father Moise's pastorate, though brief, was noted for two significant occurrences. First, Parish records which had been kept in French were now kept in English. Second, the parish of St. Francis de Sales was set up as a legal corporation. The charter was adopted for "The Congregation of St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church" of Houma. This corporation was to be administered by a board of five directors of whom the Archbishop of New Orleans, his Vicar General and the Pastor (and their successors) were to be permanent members, and were to hold the post of President, Vice president and Secretary-Treasury, respectively, The other members were to be appointed by the Archbishop from the people of the parish. Members of the first Board of Directors were: Archbishop Janssen, Rev. John B. Bogaerts, V.G., Rev. Robert V. Moise, Mr. Oscar B. Daspit and Mr. Joseph Emil e Naquin. REV. P.C. PAQUET September 1895 - March 1, 1914 To cope with the needs of the growing congregation, Father Paquet enlarged the church on both sides. (Thus most remember the Old Church). He also enlarged the rectory, which stood on the present site of St. Francis de Sales School. What was once known as "The Old Boys School", a two story wooden structure, near the church, was also built by Father Paquet. During his pastorate, one of his assistants, Rev. Father McGuire, spearheaded a drive for the purchase of a new church organ, which is still in use. REV. AUGUST W. VANDERBILT March 1, 1914 - April 7, 1938 Rev. August Wynand Vandebilt, a native of Holland, served, with dedication and devotion, longer than any other pastor, 24 years; he's the only priest who has died as pastor, and is buried in the hallowed ground of St. Francis de Sales cemetery, beneath the shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, patroness of the Archdiocese and of the state of Louisiana. Revitalization of the spiritual life of the parish was his primary objective. This, he sought to do through the organization of parish societies and through the parochial school, staffed by the Marianites of the Holy Cross - to whom he always referred as "the good Sisters". The education of boys was a matter of great concern to him. A giant step was taken "for the boys" when Father Vanderbilt turned over "The Old Boys School" to the Sisters Organization of the Junior Holy Name Society was also "for the boys sake". His first assistant, Rev. Charles P. Greco (later to become Bishop of Alexandria), worked wonders with organization in all phases of life - spiritual, cultural and in the field of play. Another assistant, Rev. Jerome Drolet, later organized the parish C.Y.O. in 1937. Many other important parish societies originated during "Father Vanderbilt's days". Among them are: The Altar Society, the Ushers' Society, the Holy Name Society, and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, the latter was introduced by Rev. Henry Newhig, assistant in 1936. When the devastating hurricane of 1926 struck Houma, one of its victims was St. Francis de Sales. During the night the church bell, a gift of Mrs. Emile Daigle began to toll, carrying the doleful message, as it were, that the bell tower was about to crash. As Father Frederick Pooley stated in his Centennial Story of St. Francis de Sales Church, "the bell had tolled the death of the old church". From that moment on, Father Vanderbilt dreamed of a new church while the damaged old church was being repaired. In 1936, the old church was razed, and the cornerstone for the new one was blessed and laid by Archbishop Joseph Francis Rummel of happy memory. The magnificent new church, predominately Gothic in architecture, was blessed and dedicated by Archbishop Rummel in 1938. Father Vanderbilt's dream had at last been realized, and he was shortly summoned to receive his Eternal Reward - on April 7, 1938. Inscribed on his tombstone are these words: "A good life hath its numbered days, but a good name shall continue forever". (Eccl.) The memory of Father Vanderbilt lives on in the hearts of all who knew, loved and revered him. St. Francis de Sales and Vanderbilt Catholic High School (named for him) are enduring monuments to his memory. Following his demise, Rev. Joseph Janssen, assistant pastor, was appointed temporary administrator. He left the parish on June 3, 1938, when the new pastor arrived. RT. REV. LUCIEN J. CALLOUT June 3, 1938 - May 16, 1946 During his eight-year administration Msgr. Callout coped successfully with many parochial problems, and achieved much in the field of education. First and foremost, the debt contracted for the building of the new church was paid off. He launched an ambitious building program to supplement the inadequate educational facilities of St. Francis de Sales Academy. To help finance the project he inaugurated the weekly envelope system. To provide additional burial space for parishioners, Monsignor purchased land in July, 1944, about three miles from Houma, in the Bayou Cane area. (Known as St. Francis Cemetery No. II) On July 25, 1943 Msgr. Caillouet celebrated his Silver Sacerdotal Jubilee. Later in the year, Pope Pious XII conferred on him the rank of Domestic Prelate, the first priest to serve here to be so honored. In early 1946 Msgr. Caillouet obtained permission for the raising of funds for the erection of a church and a school for the Negro Catholics of Houma. When completed the project was turned over to the Josephite Fathers by Archbishop Rummel. Father McShane was the first pastor of St. Lucy's named for the late Supt. H.L. Bourgeois' mother's patron saint. (Supt. Bourgeois had been one of the leaders in raising the funds.). St. Lucy was blessed and dedicated by Archbishop Rummel on June 8, 1947. (The writer of this sketch was chosen to cover the event for the Houma Courier.) In March of 1946 Msgr. Caillouet was appointed Vicar General of the Archdiocese; he left a rich spiritual legacy to the parishioners of St. Francis. RT. REV. MSGR. MAURICE SCHEXNAYDER May, 16, 1946 - February, 1951 Rev. Maurice Schexnayder came to St. Francis, his first pastorate, after having served as chaplain at LSU for seventeen years. He was made a Domestic Prelate after his assignment to St. Francis. During his pastorate, which was terminated when he was consecrated to serve as Auxiliary Bishop of Lafayette, he enlarged upon the original plans for the new St. Francis de Sales School by including a high school department. The new altars, ordered by his predecessor, were installed and consecrated. St. Francis de Sales became a parochial School during his administration. Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary parish was founded during his pastorate, with Rt. Rev. Anthony J. Wegmann as first pastor. Msgr. Schexnayder founded the St. Vincent de Paul Conference, locally. He inaugurated the Boys' Athletic Program at St. Francis, and selected "Buddy" Marcello as first coach. He presided over St. Francis de Sales Centennial Celebration. Rev. Philip Whitney, first graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School to become a priest, was our "Centennial Ordinand." When the Terrebonne-Lafourche Deanery came to the parting of the ways, Msgr. Schexnayder was appointed first Dean of the Terrebonne Deanery. (The writer was the first president of the Deanery Council of Catholic Women.) Of his stature as a priest in our midst, one parishioner summed it up with these words: "He's big as he's little". RT. REV. MSGR. JOSEPH A. WESTER March 8, 1951 - July, 1963 Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph A. Wester, V. F. served twelve years as pastor - "One for each of the chosen Twelve," he once quipped. He loved St. Francis and wished to be buried here. His wish was granted; his tomb is near that of Father Vandebilt..."Yet shall he live" (St. John), the inscription on his tomb, was suggested by Rev. Ed. Falcon; whom he'd befriended prior to his seminary days...A native of Holland, whose early days as a priest in rural Louisiana were of the missionary type, he was accorded the honor, Knight of Orange Nassau in 1947, by the Queen of the Netherlands. His chief accomplishments, he used to say, were centered around "buildings." He had the church structure strengthened; he remodeled the old convent to make it "more livable" for the Sisters; he brought St. Francis de Sales School to completion, and presided over its dedication...He built the new rectory (plans begun by Msgr. Callout), and the Youth Center...All accomplishments of magnitude. Leaving Houma in July of 1963, he served as pastor of St. Charles, Lafourche until January 1966, when he retired and established his (and his sister's) residence in St. LOOK FOR RT REV MSGR JOSEPH A WESTER AND SEE WHERE IT FINISHES RT. REV. MSGR. GERARD L. FREY July, 1963 - July, 1967 Monsignor Frey, who had served with distinction as Archdiocesan Director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, expanded and strengthened the program of religious education at St. Francis. He founded the Theresians of Houma Community, and the St. Francis de Sales Parish Council. During his administration, the Queen of Peace Praesidium of the Legion of Mary was founded, with Rev. Emile Lafranz as its first Moderator. He inaugurated the ecumenical "Operation Understanding" in the City of Houma. Vandebilt Catholic High School was dedicated by the then Archbishop John Patrick Cody, during his pastorate. Msgr. Frey had the interior of the church renovated and beautified - how beautifully it photographed on TV during US. Senator Allen J. Ellender's requiem rites! The fountain on the church (symbolical of "The Fountain of Life") plaza was constricted under his supervision. In 1967, after his consecration to the Episcopacy, he left to assume his duties as Bishop of Savannah. Several parishioners attended the Installation rites in Savannah. REV. HARRISON A. MARTIN, V.F. July, 1967 - 1971 Not as a stranger did Rev. Harrison A. Martin come to us. He had served as Moderator of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women for several years, and had known some of his parishioners since his seminary days. He intensified the spiritual fervor of the parish by inaugurating Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament daily, from six a.m. to six p.m.; and the praying of the Rosary before each Mass, daily. The Ecumenical Spirit was fostered by him (The Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God); he played a major role in the organization of the Terrebonne Ministerial Association, which initiated the annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service. Having been a chaplain in the Armed Forces, and having served as National and State chaplain of the AMVETS, he is a patriot to the core, and in his own way, intensified "the spirit of patriotism" contagious in the community. Many recall the annual Veteran's Day Mass, the Mass on July 4th, the flags before the rectory on "special days," his staunch support of the Patriotism Youth Council, etc. Virtually on the eve of his departure, the Terrebonne Chapter of the National Council of Christian and Jews presented him with a plaque at a banquet dedicated to him. He was the Honorary Chairman of the Centennial Celebration of the advent of the Marionites of the Holy Cross to Houma, in 1970. REV. JOHN NEWFIELD, 1971 Rev. John Newfield, present pastor, although with us only a little over a year, has already had "experiences of a lifetime"....The funeral rites of U.S. Senator Allen J. Ellender on July 31, when the eyes of the nation were focused on St. Francis, via T.V.; the forthcoming Sesquicentennial Celebration of Terrebonne and the forthcoming 125th Anniversary of St. Francis are the "Big Three" for him. He takes an active interest in all the parochial and inter-parochial organizations affiliated with St. Francis. One of his goals is the have every parishioner a participant in parish life, in the fullest sense of the word. PAPAL HONORS FOR PARISHIONERS Four parishioners have had Papal Honors conferred on them, At St. Louis Cathedral, with Archbishop Joseph Francis Rummel officiating. They are: Misses Agnes Achee, May Aucoin and Tracy Duplantis, all recipients of the "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice" Medal; and Mr. Edward Laperouse, Knight of St. Gregory.