About Immaculate Conception of BVM · Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a vibrant Catholic parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge, anchored in the Scotlandville neighborhood near Southern University and A&M College. Founded in 1953 and initially led by the Josephite Fathers, the parish has been staffed by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) since 1981 with a special mission to serve the Black Catholic community of the diocese. With approximately 700 families, Immaculate Conception is known for its vibrant Gospel-choir Sunday liturgy, a tight-knit multigenerational community, and active outreach through a food pantry, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas F. Clark, SJ
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception is a welcoming, family-oriented parish in the heart of Scotlandville with a special mission to serve the Black Catholic community — and 'EVERYONE and ANYONE is welcome to worship and fellowship here.' Members grow through Gospel-choir liturgy, Bible Study (in-person and on Zoom), a weekly Rosary group, small faith-sharing communities, and the Ignatian Nineteenth Annotation Retreat in the Real World, while serving neighbors through a Food Pantry, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception of BVM
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM (held inside the Church)
- By appointment — call 225-775-7067 or 225-773-2036
Parish Identity & Mission
Immaculate Conception Church is a vibrant Catholic parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge, anchored in the Scotlandville neighborhood near Southern University and A&M College. It is staffed by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) with a special mission to serve the African American Catholic community of the diocese. The parish's self-stated welcome — 'EVERYONE and ANYONE is welcome to worship and fellowship here' — is reinforced by a member-driven culture summarized in the praise song 'God is good all the time; and all the time, God is good!'
- Approximately 700 families
- Parishioners travel from across Baton Rouge, Baker, Zachary, Prairieville and even New Orleans
- Stands alongside Southern University and A&M College in Scotlandville
History
The parish was founded in 1953 as Scotlandville's growing Catholic community sought its own church, and was initially led by the Josephite Fathers (Society of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart), a religious order that ministers primarily to African Americans. Many early parishioners were bricklayers and carpenters who literally built the parish with their own hands. The Josephites remained until 1981, when the Jesuits assumed ministry. Father Aubry Osborn — the first African American priest ordained for the Archdiocese of New Orleans (1953) — later served as pastor. A 2019 renovation added a spacious foyer and modernized the worship space under the motto 'Renovate the Church and Renovate Ourselves.'
- Founded 1953
- Josephite Fathers until 1981
- Jesuits (Society of Jesus) since 1981
- Father Aubry Osborn served as pastor
- 2019 church renovation
Mass & Worship Schedule
Weekend Masses are Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM and Sunday at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM. Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 12:10 PM at the MLK Catholic Student Center on the Southern University campus. Holy Days of Obligation are observed with Masses at 12:10 PM and/or 7:00 PM inside the Church, livestreamed via Facebook and YouTube.
- Saturday Vigil — 4:00 PM
- Sunday — 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM
- Monday–Friday Daily Mass — 12:10 PM (MLK Catholic Student Center, SU Campus)
- Holy Days — 12:10 PM and/or 7:00 PM (livestreamed)
Bible Study, Rosary & Prayer
Spiritual growth is supported through weekly Bible Study (virtual on Zoom Wednesdays at 7:00 PM and in-person in the Parish Activity Center on Thursdays at 10:30 AM), a Wednesday Rosary prayed together by phone at 4:00 PM, and small faith-sharing communities. The parish also offers the Ignatian Nineteenth Annotation Retreat in the Real World.
- Virtual Bible Study — Wednesday 7:00 PM via Zoom (Meeting ID 225 773 2036)
- In-person Bible Study — Thursday 10:30 AM, Parish Activity Center
- Rosary — Wednesday 4:00 PM (phone)
- Small faith-sharing communities
- Nineteenth Annotation Retreat in the Real World
Music & Liturgy
Immaculate Conception is known for a vibrant Sunday liturgy shaped by Gospel music. The parish maintains both a Gospel/Youth Choir and a Traditional Praise Team alongside a Vigil Mass musician.
- Ms. Nina Gray — Musical Director, Gospel and Youth Choirs
- Dr. Crystal Birdsong — Musical Director, Traditional Praise Team
- Ms. LaDonna Allen — Musician, Vigil Mass
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Faith formation for children and adults is coordinated by the parish Religious Education Coordinator, supported by a Child Protection / Safe Environment Site Coordinator. Programs include ongoing Bible Study, faith-sharing groups, and sacramental preparation tied to the parish's reconciliation and Mass schedule.
- Religious Education Coordinator: Mrs. Gloria DeRouen
- Child Protection Site Coordinator: Ms. Andrea Toles
- Bible Study and faith-sharing communities
Outreach & Social Justice
The parish is deeply committed to serving struggling families and the wider Scotlandville/Baton Rouge community through its in-house Food Pantry (operated out of the Parish Activity Center in partnership with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank) and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver generously support many parish projects, and the parish joins ecumenical partners including Together Baton Rouge and Community against Drugs and Violence to work for social justice.
- Food Pantry (coordinator: Mr. Rogers 'Brick' Jackson)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver
- Together Baton Rouge
- Community against Drugs and Violence
Parish Staff
Immaculate Conception is pastored by the Jesuits and supported by a small team of parish staff and volunteers handling administration, communications, religious education, music, and facilities.
- Rev. Thomas F. Clark, SJ — Pastor
- Rev. Alfred Kammer, SJ — In Residence
- Ms. Renae Welsh — Secretary (8:30 AM–12:00 PM)
- Mr. John Edwards — Secretary (12:30 PM–4:00 PM)
- Mrs. Gloria DeRouen — Coordinator, Religious Education
- Ms. Andrea Toles — Child Protection Site Coordinator & Communications Coordinator
- Mrs. Fabiola 'Fab' Young — Bookkeeper
- Mr. Rogers 'Brick' Jackson — Sacristan & Food Pantry Coordinator
- Ms. Nina Gray — Musical Director, Gospel and Youth Choirs
- Dr. Crystal Birdsong — Musical Director, Traditional Praise Team
- Ms. LaDonna Allen — Musician, Vigil Mass
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM) and Friday from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. The Church is located at 1565 Curtis Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70807, and can be reached at 225-775-7067 (fax 225-775-0775).
- Address: 1565 Curtis Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70807
- Phone: 225-775-7067
- Fax: 225-775-0775
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–4:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM); Fri 8:30 AM–12:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Aubry Osborn
First African American priest ordained for the Archdiocese of New Orleans (1953); later served as pastor of Immaculate Conception in Scotlandville.