About Immaculate Conception · Washington, Louisiana
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is a historic parish in Washington, Louisiana, situated in the Diocese of Lafayette and serving the small town once known as the 'Post of Opelousas.' The parish traces its roots to the earliest days of Catholic life in Louisiana, when traveling priests would arrive by boat to celebrate Mass. Today the parish is led by Father Corey Campeaux (pastor since July 1, 2025), who also serves the neighboring Holy Trinity parish in Washington. Immaculate Conception continues to gather its community for weekend and weekday Mass, the Sacrament of Penance, and faith formation through its CCD program, while lovingly maintaining the buildings that have housed its worship for over 170 years.
- Established
- 1854
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Rev. Corey Campeaux
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana (North Deanery)
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception is a small-town Catholic parish with deep roots in the Opelousas Prairie and a history stretching back to the first Catholic worship in Louisiana. Worshipers can take part in daily and weekend Mass in the Roman-Latin rite, regular opportunities for the Sacrament of Penance, and faith formation through the CCD program for all ages. The parish family is deeply invested in preserving its historic buildings and in gathering as 'one family in Christ — celebrating the sacraments, growing in faith, and serving with love.'
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Sundays: 15 minutes before Mass
- Tuesday – Friday: 7:30 AM – 7:50 AM
Our Story
Immaculate Conception describes itself as having a vibrant history that goes back to the earliest days of Louisiana — even before its official founding, when traveling priests served the 'Post of Opelousas' community. The parish frames itself as a 'Rich Legacy' of Catholic worship continuing in Washington, Louisiana.
Early Catholic Worship in Washington
Beginning in 1756, priests would travel by boat to Washington to celebrate Mass and offer the sacraments, and they came and went for about twenty years without a permanent church. The Spanish completed the first church in 1776 and named it the 'Parochial Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Post of Opelousas.' That church was later moved to the town of Opelousas.
Founding of the Washington Parish
In 1851 the people of Washington decided to build their own chapel. A devastating yellow fever epidemic in 1853 killed roughly one-third of the population, but the community rebuilt, and by 1855 priests were again visiting and administering the sacraments. The parish's official founding year is recorded as 1854, and by 1862 a larger, dedicated Church of the Immaculate Conception had been built.
Yellow Fever, Rebuilding, and Father Claude Jaquet
Yellow fever struck again in 1867, taking the lives of many parishioners and some priests. Father Claude Jaquet was appointed to lead the parish during this difficult time. Because no rectory yet existed, he lived in the sacristy — the room inside the church where priests keep their vestments.
The 2011 Fire and Rebuilding
On January 14, 2011, the historic church was destroyed by fire. The tabernacle was safely recovered from the ruins, and photographs of the original building were used to closely replicate the structure in its extravagant original style. The current church stands as a faithful recreation of the 19th-century building.
Faith Formation & CCD
The parish's CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program provides educational and catechetical programming, including sacramental preparation for all ages. Its aim is to enrich faith through learning and understanding, grounded in the Catholic tradition.
- Sacramental preparation
- Catechesis for all ages
Our Team
The parish leadership team includes Father Corey Campeaux as pastor of both Immaculate Conception and Holy Trinity parishes in Washington, and Katie Fontenot as Parish Secretary and Director of Religious Education.
- Rev. Corey Campeaux — Pastor (since July 1, 2025)
- Katie Fontenot — Parish Secretary & DRE
Diocese & Deanery
Immaculate Conception belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana and is listed among the parishes of the North Deanery, which covers St. Landry and Evangeline Civil Parishes.
- Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
- North Deanery — covers St. Landry and Evangeline Civil Parishes (~34 parishes and 10 mission churches)
Building & Heritage Preservation
The parish actively preserves its historic buildings through community fundraising, including participation in the #iGiveCatholic Giving Tuesday campaign. Projects have included cleaning and revitalizing the church exterior and steeple, restoring the rectory, refinishing the church doors, and restoring the altar rails to more closely reflect the pre-fire church.
- Wash exterior of church and steeple
- Revitalize the rectory (wash, paint, treat the roof)
- Restore the altar rails
- Clean the exterior of the hall
- Refinish church doors (already completed)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Claude Jaquet1867–
Appointed priest after the 1867 yellow fever epidemic; with no rectory available, he lived in the sacristy inside the church.