About Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales · Houma, Louisiana
The Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales is the mother church of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and the seat (cathedra) of its bishop, located in downtown Houma, Louisiana. Originally established as a mission parish in 1847 to serve Catholics scattered along the bayous of Terrebonne Parish, the parish was elevated to cathedral status on March 2, 1977 when Pope Paul VI erected the new diocese. The present French Gothic church, dedicated in 1938 and designed by architects Bendernagel and Cazale, seats 1,200 and is topped by a 157-foot spire that remains the visual centerpiece of the Houma skyline. Under its current rector, Very Rev. Jay L. Baker (also Chancellor of the diocese), the cathedral continues its mission of evangelization, sacred worship, and faith formation in the Cajun bayou country of southeastern Louisiana.
- Established
- 1847
- Patron
- St. Francis de Sales (Bishop and Doctor of the Church, 1567–1622)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, MCL, JCL (Rector of the Cathedral; also Chancellor of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, ordained June 13, 1992)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
Why belong here
The Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales is the spiritual heart of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and a living continuation of a Catholic community that has worshipped on the same block of downtown Houma since 1847. Catholics here are drawn by a remarkable liturgical rhythm: four Sunday Masses (7, 9, 11 —livestreamed on Facebook— and 5:30 PM), a Saturday Vigil, daily weekday Mass, confession half an hour before every Mass, and a perpetual adoration chapel open day and night. The parish blends deep traditional devotions — the rosary before Mass, Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart, and Eucharistic adoration — with active lay ministries such as Food for the Spirit (monthly homebound meal delivery), the Bread or Stones campaign partnering with Legion Park Elementary to fight child poverty, FOCCUS marriage preparation, the OCIA process for adults, the parish K–7 school, and the historic St. Francis Cemetery. For Houma-area Catholics, joining the cathedral means belonging to a 178-year-old mother church whose spire still defines the city skyline.
Mass times at Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM (scheduled)
- Sundays and weekdays: beginning 30 minutes before Mass, ending 15 minutes before Mass
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel — daytime hours Sunday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Monday–Friday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Saturday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Nightly adoration is offered with an after-hours access code (inquire at the parish office)
History of the Cathedral
St. Francis de Sales Parish was established on June 14, 1847 when Robert Ruffin Barrow donated a tract of land to Bishop Antoine Blanc of New Orleans for the purpose of building a Catholic church in Houma. The first pastor, Rev. Zéphyrin Lévêque, found about 200 Catholic families scattered along the four bayous of Terrebonne and initially celebrated Mass in the courthouse. A Romanesque-style brick church was completed in 1848. A violent hurricane in September 1926 caused extensive damage; although repaired, the old structure was demolished in 1936 and the present French Gothic cathedral was dedicated in 1938, designed by architects Bendernagel and Cazale, built by general contractor Gervais Favrot, at a total cost of $137,000, with seating for 1,200 and a 157-foot spire. On March 2, 1977, Pope Paul VI erected the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and elevated St. Francis de Sales to the rank of cathedral.
- Parish founded June 14, 1847; first church completed 1848
- 1926 hurricane damaged original church
- Present cathedral built 1936–1938; cost $137,000
- Architects: Bendernagel and Cazale; contractor: Gervais Favrot
- Elevated to cathedral March 2, 1977 when Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux was erected
Architecture & Interior
The cathedral is built in the French Gothic Revival style in brick and copper, with a 157-foot spire, vaulted interior seating 1,200, and a raised marble sanctuary (1977). The original 1914 pipe organ pipes remain in the choir loft, although an Allen electronic organ is now used. In 2002 Conrad Schmitt Studios carried out an extensive decorative restoration: storm-damaged plaster on the walls and vaulted ceiling was repaired and reinforced with fiberglass, and a new scheme of paint, glazing, gilding, and stenciling was applied, including vibrant work on the cambered wooden ceiling beams.
- French Gothic Revival style; brick and copper construction
- Spire: 157 feet; capacity: 1,200
- 1914 pipe organ pipes still in choir loft (electronic Allen organ currently used)
- 1977 sanctuary raised and new marble pulpit installed
- 2002 Conrad Schmitt Studios interior decorative restoration
Pastoral Staff & Deacons
The cathedral is led by Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, MCL, JCL, who serves as Rector (Pastor) and is also Chancellor of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux (ordained June 13, 1992). The Sacramental Minister is Rev. Matthew Prosperie. The parish is assisted by three permanent deacons: Rev. Mr. Douglas Authement, Rev. Mr. Joseph Weigand Jr., and Rev. Mr. Lee Crochet. Lay staff include the Director of Religious Education, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, Music Minister, Parish Secretary, Bookkeeper, and Pastoral Minister.
- Rector: Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, MCL, JCL (also Diocesan Chancellor)
- Sacramental Minister: Rev. Matthew Prosperie
- Deacons: Rev. Mr. Douglas Authement, Rev. Mr. Joseph Weigand Jr., Rev. Mr. Lee Crochet
Parish School & Religious Education
Catholic education has been part of the parish since 1870, when the Sisters of the Marianites of the Holy Cross arrived to open the first Catholic school in Terrebonne Parish, originally for girls. A boys' school was added in 1890, and the two-story wooden Houma Academy stood where the present youth center/gymnasium and rectory are located. The current co-ed K–7 St. Francis de Sales School, completed in 1951 at a cost of over $600,000, replaced both earlier schools. Vandebilt Catholic High School (originally Houma Central Catholic School), founded in 1965, was renamed in 1966 to honor Fr. August Vandebilt; it relocated to its current St. Charles Street campus in 2013. The Marianites' 141-year service to the parish schools ended in 2011 with the retirement of Sr. Immaculata Paisant.
- Catholic school at the parish since 1870 (Marianites of the Holy Cross)
- Current St. Francis de Sales School: K–7, co-ed, built 1951 (cost >$600,000)
- Vandebilt Catholic High School: opened 1965, renamed 1966; relocated 2013
- Marianites' service to parish schools ended 2011 (Sr. Immaculata Paisant)
OCIA, CCD & Sacramental Preparation
The parish runs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) for adults seeking baptism, confirmation, or full reception into the Catholic Church. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) / Youth Faith Formation classes are held for children who do not attend the parish school, with sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation (typically 2nd grade), First Eucharist, and Confirmation. A Sunday Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered at the 9:00 AM Mass. Inquiries are directed to the parish office at (985) 876-6904.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- CCD / Youth Faith Formation for parish children
- First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation preparation
- Children's Liturgy of the Word at 9:00 AM Sunday Mass
Marriage Preparation (FOCCUS)
Couples seeking marriage at the cathedral must contact a priest at least six months before the desired wedding date. The Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program includes scheduled meetings with designated clergy, taking the FOCCUS Assessment Tool (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding & Study — developed by the Archdiocese of Omaha), meeting with FOCCUS Couple Counselors (married couples trained as facilitators who meet engaged couples in their homes), and attending the Diocesan Marriage Preparation Day.
- Contact a priest at least 6 months in advance
- FOCCUS Pre-Marriage Inventory
- Meet with FOCCUS Couple Counselors
- Attend Diocesan Marriage Preparation Day
Outreach: Food for the Spirit & Bread or Stones
Food for the Spirit delivers hot meals to the homebound of the parish on the second Saturday of each month; meals are bagged at 7557 Main Street, Houma, with prayer cards and small gifts added, and each volunteer delivers 2–3 meals. The cathedral is also an official Bread or Stones Campaign Congregation, a multi-denominational Louisiana effort to raise the state's child-well-being ranking (long 49th in the U.S.); the parish partners specifically with the staff and students of Legion Park Elementary, where test scores and morale have measurably improved in three years of partnership.
- Food for the Spirit — 2nd Saturday of each month; bagging at 7557 Main St.; coordinator Roxane Haydel (985-381-3573)
- Bread or Stones — partner with Legion Park Elementary
- Louisiana has ranked 49th in the nation for child well-being for over 25 years
Music Ministry
The parish maintains an active music ministry, currently under Music Minister Leslie VanOsdale. The local choir and organist Miss May Xeringer accompanied the 1938 dedication Mass, performing Stahle's Mass, with the church illuminated by all the Gothic lanterns and indirect sanctuary lighting. The original 1914 pipe organ (purchased for $3,000 by Fr. Paquet) was salvaged from the first church; its pipes remain in the choir loft, but the church now uses an Allen electronic organ.
- Current Music Minister: Leslie VanOsdale
- Original 1914 pipe organ pipes still in choir loft; Allen organ currently in use
- 1938 dedication Mass featured Stahle's Mass sung by the local choir
Cemeteries & Historic Grounds
The parish operates St. Francis Cemetery and St. Francis Cemetery No. 2 (the latter's land was purchased by Msgr. Lucien J. Caillouet in 1938). The cathedral's youth center/gymnasium and rectory occupy the same ground where the original two-story wooden Sisters' school once stood.
- St. Francis Cemetery (historic parish cemetery)
- St. Francis Cemetery No. 2 (property purchased by Msgr. Caillouet)
Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux was erected on March 2, 1977 by Pope Paul VI, with Bishop Warren Boudreaux as its first ordinary. It covers the civil parishes of Terrebonne, Lafourche, and parts of neighboring areas. St. Francis de Sales in Houma shares the role of diocesan mother church with St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. Successive bishops have been Warren Boudreaux (1977–1992), Michael Jarrell (1993–2003), Sam G. Jacobs (2003–2013), Shelton Fabre (2014–2022, then Archbishop of Louisville), and Mario Eduardo Dorsonville-Rodríguez (2023–2024, died in office). The current bishop is Simon Peter Engurait, appointed June 5, 2025.
- Diocese erected March 2, 1977
- First Bishop: Warren Boudreaux
- Succeeding bishops: Michael Jarrell, Sam G. Jacobs, Shelton Fabre, Mario Dorsonville, Simon Peter Engurait (current)
- Co-cathedral: St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux
- Diocese website: https://htdiocese.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Zéphyrin Lévêque (Z. LeVeque)1847–1848
First pastor; found about 200 Catholic families scattered along the four bayous; celebrated Mass in the Terrebonne Parish courthouse before the first church was built.
- Rev. E. Barthe
Successor pastor in the 19th century.
- Rev. F. Tasset
Successor pastor in the 19th century.
- Rev. H. Gonell
Successor pastor in the 19th century.
- Rev. (Mr.) Poyet
Successor pastor in the 19th century.
- Msgr. J.M. Laval1890–1894
Built the parish presbytery; later became Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans.
- Rev. P.C. Paquet1895–1914
Enlarged the original church on both sides; purchased the pipe organ in 1914 for $3,000.
- Rev. August Wynand Vandebilt1914–1938
Dutch-born pastor; oversaw 1936 demolition of the hurricane-damaged 1848 church and construction of the present Gothic cathedral; left a personal fortune to retire the debt; died April 7, 1938 shortly after the dedication. Vandebilt Catholic High School is named in his honor.
- Msgr. Lucien J. Caillouet1938–1946
Began planning for a new school, introduced the envelope system, purchased property for St. Francis Cemetery No. 2, helped establish St. Lucy Church. Later appointed Bishop of Lafayette in February 1951.
- Msgr. Maurice Schexnayder1946–1951
Built the present St. Francis de Sales School (K–7) at a cost of over $600,000.
- Msgr. Joseph A. Wester1951–1963
Remodeled the church, built the convent, hired the Brothers of the Sacred Heart to run the boys' school.
- Msgr. Gerald Frey1963–1967
Opened Vandebilt Catholic High School in 1965, renovated the church and built the courtyard fountain. Later named Bishop of Lafayette.
- Rev. Harrison A. Martin1967–1971
Inaugurated daily adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the praying of the rosary before each Mass.
- Msgr. John Newfield1971–1987
Held the pastorate at the 1977 announcement of the new Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and the elevation of St. Francis de Sales to cathedral.
- Msgr. Joseph Latino1987–2003
Established the Pastoral Council and many lay ministries; presided over the parish's 150th anniversary; served as Diocesan Chancellor and Vicar General. Later appointed Bishop of Jackson.
- Very Rev. Vicente N. DeLa Cruz, J.V.2003–2012
Rector.
- Very Rev. Joshua J. Rodrigue, S.T.L.2012–2016
Rector.
- Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, MCL, JCL2016–present
Current Rector; also serves as Chancellor of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux; ordained June 13, 1992.
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