About Ascension of Our Lord · Donaldsonville, Louisiana
Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church is a historic parish in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge. Founded in 1772 by order of King Charles III of Spain, it is one of the oldest Catholic communities in Louisiana, predating the city of Donaldsonville itself by thirty-four years. Today the parish is clustered with St. Francis of Assisi Church (818 W. 10th St.) under a single pastorate, sharing clergy, staff, and ministries, and continues to serve the people of Ascension Civil Parish — the civil parish actually takes its name from this church.
- Established
- 1772
- Patron
- The Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ
- Rector
- Very Rev. Matthew C. Dupré, V.F.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge
Why belong here
Ascension of Our Lord welcomes anyone seeking an ancient, living Eucharistic community in the heart of historic Donaldsonville. With daily Mass offered through its sister parish St. Francis of Assisi, weekly confession before Saturday Vigil, vibrant ministries to the homebound, the bereaved, and the poor (including a prison ministry to Angola and the women's Ascension Prison prayer group), strong faith formation for children, and a parish cemetery that is the oldest and largest in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, it offers the full sacramental and apostolic life of the Catholic Church in a setting that has proclaimed the Gospel continuously since 1772.
Mass times at Ascension of Our Lord
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM (before Vigil Mass)
History of Ascension of Our Lord Church
Ascension of Our Lord is one of Louisiana's oldest parishes, founded in 1772 under Spanish rule — more than three decades before Donaldsonville itself was platted. The full history is documented on the parish's own history page and on the Diocese of Baton Rouge's parish profile.
Spanish-Era Founding (1770–1772)
Acadian settlers began arriving in the area as early as 1758. The Spanish militia began construction on a small mission chapel on September 10, 1770, on property still owned by the church today. On August 15, 1772, Father Angelus Revillogodos, a Franciscan Capuchin missionary, formally dedicated the parish to the Ascension of Our Lord, under the order of King Charles III of Spain.
- First chapel construction: September 10, 1770
- Parish dedicated: August 15, 1772 by Fr. Angelus Revillogodos, OFM Cap.
- Original Spanish name: La Iglesia de la Ascension de Nostro Senor Jesu Cristo da Lafourche de los Chetimaches
The Brick Churches (1819, 1843, 1896)
The original wooden mission chapel was enlarged in 1783, then replaced by the first official brick church in 1819. A second, larger church was completed in 1843 at a cost of $19,000. Twenty-two foreign missionary priests pastored the parish in its first hundred years. In 1872, Belgian-born Father Francis Xavier Ceuppens became the 23rd pastor and began planning the present (third) church building.
- 1819 — first brick church
- October 24, 1823 — first ordination to the priesthood in Louisiana held here
- 1843 — second church completed ($19,000)
- 1872 — Fr. Francis Xavier Ceuppens becomes 23rd pastor
- 1875 — construction of present church begins
- June 24, 1876 — cornerstone laid
- 1883–1885 — construction halted due to dispute between Wardens and Archbishop of New Orleans
- March 31, 1896 — present church solemnly dedicated (21 years, $80,000)
Modern Restorations
The 1907 rectory was demolished in 1984 and replaced with a new administration building adjoining the church and a new clergy residence. Between 1989 and 1993, repairs were completed to the roof and attic, with restoration of valuable statues, the Stations of the Cross, and stained glass windows. Further restoration was completed in 1996 for the 100th anniversary of the church's dedication, including the celebrated new steeple.
- 1936 — original wooden steeple removed (declared unsafe)
- 1984 — 1907 rectory demolished; new admin building and clergy residence built
- 1989–1993 — roof, attic, statues, Stations of the Cross, stained glass restored
- 1996 — restoration for 100th anniversary; new steeple installed
Clergy & Staff
The cluster of Ascension of Our Lord and St. Francis of Assisi is led by Very Rev. Matthew C. Dupré, V.F., who also serves as Dean of the South Deanery and Chaplain for the parish. The parish office staff and ministry directors support the daily life of both churches.
- Very Rev. Matthew C. Dupré, V.F. — Pastor (also St. Francis of Assisi, Smoke Bend); Dean of the South Deanery
- Deacon Christopher G. Landry — Deacon Assistant
- Sandra Mistretta — Director of Liturgy & Music
- Susan Jumonville — Director of Religious Education
- Kimmy Simmons — Secretary
- Sherry Breaux — Bookkeeper
- Margaret Templet — Receptionist
- Sue Gomez — Receptionist
- Lydia Christian — Technology & Ministry
- Stephen Schexnayder, Raymond Templet — Maintenance Staff
Parish Ministries
The Hands of Jesus Committee coordinates the cluster's social responsibility ministries, which include direct outreach to the homebound, the bereaved, and the poor, as well as prison ministry and a Telephone Prayer Line.
Advisory Councils
Lay leadership councils support the pastor in parish governance, finances, buildings, and pastoral planning.
- Ascension Finance Council — David Leblanc
- St. Francis Finance Council — James Abadie
- Cluster Pastoral Council — Kenneth Landry
- Ascension Maintenance Committee — Marvin Gros
- Hands of Jesus Committee — Sandra Mistretta
Outreach to the Homebound, Bereaved & Poor
Parishioners minister to those who cannot easily come to church and to families in need.
- Ministry to the Homebound — Nursing Home Ministry & Eucharistic ministers
- Ministry to the Bereaved — meal preparation, visits, telephone calls
- Prayer Blanket Ministry — Dee Lemann
- Daughters of Charity Thrift Store — Betty Porrier
- Emergency Utility Assistance — Susan Jumonville
- Christmas Giving Tree — Rosemary
- Thanksgiving Baskets — Vicki Hoormann
- Summer Camp for the Underprivileged
Prayer & Prison Ministry
The parish operates a Telephone Prayer Line and maintains active ministry to two correctional facilities, including the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.
- Telephone Prayer Line — Becky Allen
- Eucharistic Ministry to Angola
- Ascension Prison Ministry — women's prayer group — Sandra Mistretta
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Religious Education for children, including Confirmation preparation, is coordinated by Susan Jumonville, Director of Religious Education. Confirmation registration and classes are held at the Ascension Activity Center.
- Director of Religious Education: Susan Jumonville (225-473-3176)
- Confirmation classes held in the Ascension Activity Center
- Baptismal certificate required for candidates baptized at another parish
Liturgy & Music
Liturgical celebrations are supported by Sandra Mistretta, Director of Liturgy & Music, working alongside the Hands of Jesus Committee.
- Director of Liturgy & Music — Sandra Mistretta
Ascension Cemetery
Ascension of Our Lord operates Ascension Cemetery, which is the oldest and largest cemetery in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge. It is part of the parish's continuing mission to the people of Donaldsonville and surrounding communities.
- Oldest and largest cemetery in the Diocese of Baton Rouge
Contact & Visit
The parish office is located at the Ascension of Our Lord campus, 716 Mississippi Street. It serves both Ascension of Our Lord and St. Francis of Assisi parishes.
- Address: 716 Mississippi St., Donaldsonville, LA 70346 (PO Box 508)
- Phone: (225) 473-3176
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.donaldsonvillecatholics.com
- Office Hours: Mon–Wed 8 AM–3 PM, Thu 8 AM–12 PM, Fri closed; closed for lunch 12 PM–1 PM
- Sister church: St. Francis of Assisi, 818 W. 10th St., Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Angelus Revillogodos (Franciscan Capuchin missionary)1772
Dedicated the parish to the Ascension of Our Lord on August 15, 1772 — first pastor; served under the order of King Charles III of Spain.
- Twenty-two foreign missionary priests1772–1872
Pastored Ascension Church during its first 100 years.
- Father Francis Xavier Ceuppens1872
23rd pastor; Belgian native who planned and began the present (third) church building. Cornerstone laid June 24, 1876; construction halted 1883, resumed 1885.
- Bishop Louis William DuBourg (officiating)October 24, 1823
Ordained Jean-Baptiste Blanc (native of Lyons, France) — the first ordination to the priesthood in Louisiana — at Ascension of Our Lord.