Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales

History & Significance

Cathedral · Est. Parish founded c. 1847; present church built 1936–1938; elevated to cathedral March 2, 1977

St. Francis de Sales Parish in Houma, Louisiana, was founded around 1847 by Rev. Zéphyrin Lévêque. The present Gothic Revival church was constructed from 1936 to 1938 under the direction of Rev. August Vandebilt, after a 1926 hurricane destroyed the earlier church. On March 2, 1977, Pope Paul VI established the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and elevated St. Francis de Sales to cathedral rank as its seat. It serves as cathedral alongside St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux.

Gothic Revival

• •Seat (cathedral) of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
• •Parish founded around 1847 by Rev. Zéphyrin Lévêque
• •Present church built 1936-1938 under Rev. August Vandebilt
• •Elevated to cathedral on March 2, 1977 when Pope Paul VI established the diocese
• •Shares episcopal seat with St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux