About Church of the Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary · Franklin, Louisiana
The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Roman Catholic parish in Franklin, Louisiana, part of the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana. Founded in 1852, it is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in St. Mary Parish and anchors Catholic life in downtown Franklin on West Main Street. The present basilica-plan church building, begun around 1920 under Father James Trainor and completed by his successors Monsignor Jules J. Rousseau and Monsignor John H. Disch, is renowned for its German-stained-glass windows depicting the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Crucifixion above the high altar. It is a contributing property to the Franklin Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Today the parish offers multiple weekly Masses, a perpetual adoration chapel, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, serving the Catholic faithful of Franklin and the surrounding Acadiana region.
- Established
- 1852
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (under her title of the Assumption)
- Rector
- Rev. Joel Faulk
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
Why belong here
The Church of the Assumption is the historic Catholic heart of Franklin and one of the most liturgically active parishes in the Diocese of Lafayette, offering daily Mass throughout the week plus a perpetual adoration chapel — making Eucharistic devotion unusually accessible. Its century-old basilica-plan church, with imported German stained-glass windows and a richly detailed interior, gives the parish a sense of beauty and continuity that few rural parishes can match. Visitors and parishioners are drawn by the parish's long tradition of welcome, its central Main Street location, and the strong sense of community rooted in more than 170 years of Catholic life in St. Mary Parish.
Mass times at Church of the Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 6:15 AM – 6:45 AM
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel (24-hour adoration)
History of the Parish
The Catholic parish in Franklin, Louisiana was founded in 1852. For many decades its congregation worshipped in a succession of wooden church buildings while the Catholic community of St. Mary Parish grew. Around 1920, Pastor Father James Trainor and a building committee set out to construct a permanent, landmark church. They hired a prestigious firm of architects and the resulting basilica-plan church at the corner of Main and Iberia streets remains the parish's home today. Father Trainor began the construction; the two pastors who followed him — Monsignor Jules J. Rousseau and Monsignor John H. Disch — completed most of the interior finishing, including the celebrated German stained-glass windows selected by Monsignor Rousseau.
- Parish founded 1852
- Present building begun ca. 1920 under Father James Trainor
- Interior completed under Monsignor Rousseau and Monsignor Disch
- Stained-glass windows selected in Germany by Monsignor Rousseau
The Church Building and Stained Glass
The Church of the Assumption is a basilica-plan Catholic church at the corner of Main and Iberia streets in downtown Franklin. It is renowned for its stained-glass windows: the Crucifixion window is positioned above the high altar, while a series of side windows portray scenes from the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The windows were selected in Germany by Monsignor Jules J. Rousseau and are regarded by local historians as among the finest in Louisiana.
- Basilica-plan layout
- German-made stained-glass windows
- Crucifixion window above the high altar
- Side windows depicting the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Historic District Status
The Church of the Assumption is a contributing property to the Franklin Historic District, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Its prominent Main Street location and architectural quality make it a visual landmark in downtown Franklin.
- Contributing property, Franklin Historic District
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 1982
Mass and Sacraments
The parish offers two Sunday Masses, a Saturday Vigil Mass, and weekday Masses Monday through Friday, plus a First Saturday Mass, giving parishioners daily access to the Eucharist. Confessions are heard Friday morning and Saturday afternoon. A perpetual adoration chapel is also maintained by the parish.
- Sunday: 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM
- Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PM
- Weekday Masses Monday–Friday
- First Saturday Mass: 8:00 AM
- Confessions Friday morning and Saturday afternoon
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel
Clergy and Pastoral Leadership
The parish is led by a pastor appointed by the Diocese of Lafayette. Over the years it has been served by a succession of pastors and associate pastors whose names are recorded in parish centennial commemorations and diocesan records. The current pastor is Rev. Joel Faulk, according to the Diocese of Lafayette assignment listing.
- Rev. Joel Faulk — current pastor
- Father Lloyd Benoit — pastor at the time of the 100th anniversary of the building
- Father George Simon and Father Michael Russo — former pastors
- Father Oneil Landry and Father Wilson Matt — former associate pastors
Centennial of the Church Building
The parish marked the 100th birthday of the present church building with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Jarrell of the Diocese of Lafayette, assisted by then-pastor Father Lloyd Benoit. Many area priests concelebrated, including former pastors, former associate pastors, and other priests associated with the parish. A reception followed in the church hall, and a hardcover coffee-table book with full-color photographs and a comprehensive parish history was planned for release the following summer. Guided church tours were offered in the weeks leading up to the celebration.
- Centennial Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Jarrell
- Father Lloyd Benoit assisted as pastor
- Parish centennial coffee-table book planned
Visiting the Church
The church is located at 915 Main Street in downtown Franklin, with parking available behind the building. Visitors traveling on U.S. Highway 90 can take the Franklin exit, follow Northwest Boulevard to its end, turn right, and continue to the traffic light at Iberia and Main Street; the church will be on the right. Tourists and pilgrims are drawn to the church both for its active liturgical life — including daily Mass and perpetual adoration — and for its historic architecture and stained glass.
- 915 Main Street, Franklin, LA 70538
- From Hwy 90, take Franklin exit → Northwest Blvd → right to light at Iberia and Main
- Parking available behind the church
Contact and Practical Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone or email, and current Mass and confession schedules are posted on the parish website. The parish website is churchofassumption.com and is also referenced as 'Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary' on diocesan and aggregator listings.
- Phone: (337) 828-3869
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: churchofassumption.com
- Diocese: Lafayette in Louisiana
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James Trainor
Initiated construction of the present church building ca. 1920; hired the architects and led fundraising.
- Monsignor Jules J. Rousseau
Succeeded Trainor; completed much of the interior finishing. Selected the German stained-glass windows — described as among the finest in the state — depicting the Crucifixion and the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- Monsignor John H. Disch
Succeeded Rousseau; continued completion of the interior of the present church.
- Father William Blanda
Former pastor; concelebrated the centennial Mass.
- Father Bill Ruskoski
Concelebrated centennial Mass.
- Monsignor Richard Green
Former pastor; concelebrated the centennial Mass.
- Father George Simon
Former pastor; concelebrated the centennial Mass.
- Father Bill Melancon
Concelebrated centennial Mass.
- Father Michael Russo
Former pastor; concelebrated the centennial Mass.
- Father Lloyd Benoit
Pastor at the time of the 100th anniversary of the church building, assisted Bishop Jarrell.
- Rev. Joel Faulk
Current pastor (Diocese of Lafayette assignment record).
