About Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception · Natchitoches, Louisiana
The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is the Catholic parish church of Natchitoches, Louisiana — the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase territory. Founded in 1728 within the walls of French Fort St. Jean Baptiste, it is the seventh church building to house the parish and served as the cathedral of the Diocese of Natchitoches from 1853 until 1910. Listed as a contributing property of the Natchitoches Historic District (National Register of Historic Places, 1974), it was elevated to the rank of minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI on February 22, 2009, and named a Jubilee pilgrimage church for both the 2016 Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy and the Holy Year 2025. It remains an active parish in the Diocese of Alexandria, served by its pastor, clergy, school (St. Mary's), and several lay organizations.
- Established
- 1728
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of her Immaculate Conception (BVM Conception)
- Rector
- Rev. Irion St. Romain
- Diocese
- Diocese of Alexandria (in Louisiana); formerly the cathedral church of the (now-suppressed) Diocese of Natchitoches, 1853–1910
Why belong here
The Minor Basilica offers the rare combination of a living small-town Catholic parish rooted in nearly 300 years of continuous worship and the architectural, liturgical and devotional privileges of a minor basilica. Daily 6:30 a.m. weekday Mass, two Sunday Masses, a school-aged Wednesday Mass at St. Mary's, and a weekly Thursday Mass at the Courtyard Nursing Home make daily Mass accessible to working people and retirees alike. The parish supports the parish school (St. Mary's, Pre-K through 12), CCD religious education, the RCIA program for adults, and active lay organizations including the Ladies' Altar Society of St. Therese, the Knights of Columbus Council #1357, the Vocations Club of Natchitoches, lectors, altar servers, and choirs/scholæ — making it easy for new parishioners to plug in. First Friday and First Saturday devotions, Eucharistic Adoration, Benediction, Lenten Stations of the Cross, and an annual pilgrimage designation (Jubilee churches in 2016 and 2025) give the parish a strong devotional rhythm rooted in Catholic tradition.
Mass times at Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before every weekday Mass
- 45 minutes before every weekend Mass
- By appointment (call 318-352-3422)
Adoration times
- First Friday: Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament from 7:00 am to 5:15 pm; Benediction at 5:15 pm
- First Saturday: Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 am
About the Minor Basilica
The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is the Catholic parish church of Natchitoches, Louisiana, the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase territory. Established as a parish in 1728 within the walls of French Fort St. Jean Baptiste, the present basilica is the seventh structure to house the parish and the second to bear the title Immaculate Conception. It was elevated by Pope Benedict XVI to the rank of minor basilica on February 22, 2009, and remains an active parish church in the Diocese of Alexandria.
- Parish established: 1728
- Present church begun: 1857
- Consecrated: 1854 (sixth church)
- Cathedral of the Diocese of Natchitoches: 1853–1910
- Elevated to Minor Basilica: February 22, 2009 (decree)
History of the Parish
Catholic worship in Natchitoches began with the Franciscan Father Antonio Margil de Jesus saying Mass at Fort St. Jean Baptiste around 1716–1717, twelve years before the parish was formally established in 1728. The parish's first chapel — St. Francis — was built outside the stockade in 1728 or 1729. Subsequent churches followed as the town moved northward: St. John the Baptist (1738), a stone church (1771), a fourth church at Front and Church Streets (1785), a brick church destroyed in the 1838 fire, and a sixth church completed in 1839 that became the first cathedral of the Diocese of Natchitoches when Pope Pius IX erected that diocese in 1853. Bishop Augustin Martin approved plans for the present building by W. C. Melvin on December 12, 1857. Construction was interrupted by the Civil War and Reconstruction; Bishop Durier completed the dome, sacristies, sanctuary, altar and tile floor by 1892. Father (later Monsignor) Antoine Piegay shepherded the parish from 1887 to 1932, installing the stained-glass windows and earning the title of Vicar General. Major restorations were undertaken in 1955–1956 under Msgr. Stanley J. DeKeuwer and again in 1992–1996 under Father Kenneth Roy at a cost of over $1.2 million. The 150th anniversary of the church's construction in 2006 brought an Italian marble altar mensa with first-class relics and the announcement of the church's Indult status. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI granted the title of Minor Basilica.
- 1716–1717: First Mass offered by Fr. Antonio Margil de Jesus
- 1728: Parish formally established
- 1729–1733: First chapel (St. Francis) built within Fort St. Jean Baptiste
- 1738: Second church, St. John the Baptist, constructed
- 1771: Third church, of stone, built
- 1838: Fifth brick church destroyed in the great Natchitoches fire
- 1839: Sixth church completed (first cathedral, 1853)
- 1853: Diocese of Natchitoches erected by Pope Pius IX
- 1857: Construction begins on the present (seventh) basilica, plans by W. C. Melvin
- 1892: Dome, sacristies, sanctuary and altar completed under Bishop Durier
- 1910: Cathedral status ends; see transferred to Alexandria
- 1955–1956: Restoration under Msgr. Stanley J. DeKeuwer
- 1992–1996: Major restoration under Fr. Kenneth Roy
- 2006: 150th anniversary; new marble mensa consecrated
- 2009: Elevated to Minor Basilica by Pope Benedict XVI
- 1974: Listed as a contributing property of the Natchitoches Historic District (NRHP)
Architecture and Interior
The basilica is a modified Gothic–style brick edifice laid out in the form of a Latin cross, 140 feet long by 80 feet wide, fronted by two towers facing Second Street. Norman-styled rounded arches and windows distinguish the design, and cast-iron was used for the window frames and the freestanding pillars supporting the nave and side aisle. The dome rises at the intersection of the nave and transepts. Most interior furnishings — main altar, hand-painted Stations of the Cross, statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, chandeliers, and a hand-carved wooden baptismal font — were imported from France. The American-made nave windows and Austrian twin windows at the rear (installed in the 1910s) remain signature features. The unique spiral staircase to the choir gallery has no center support.
- Architect: W. C. Melvin
- Style: Modified Gothic with Norman-styled rounded arches
- Dimensions: 140 ft long × 80 ft wide, Latin-cross plan
- Materials: Brick exterior; cast-iron window frames and pillars
- Altar mensa (2006): Italian marble with first-class relics
- Stained glass: American (nave) and Austrian (rear)
- Buried in the church: Bishop Augustin Martin; Vicar-General Pierre F. Dicharry
Christian Initiation: Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, RCIA
The parish offers the three sacraments of Christian initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion — to children and adults, with tailored preparation for each situation. RCIA courses begin each Fall; First Communion is normally received in 2nd grade; Confirmation is typically celebrated in 11th grade by the Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria.
- Infant Baptism: after the Saturday 4 pm or Sunday 11 am Mass, with a prior meeting with the pastor for first-time parents
- RCIA: Begins each Fall; tailored for unbaptized adults and baptized non-Catholics
- First Holy Communion: 2nd grade (next scheduled: 4 pm Mass, Saturday, May 1, 2027)
- Confirmation: 11th grade; administered by the Bishop
Lay Organizations and Ministries
The parish supports a range of lay organizations and liturgical ministries, reflecting the Second Vatican Council's 'universal call to holiness.' New parishioners are welcomed into these groups through the parish office or the 'Become a Parishioner' page on the parish website.
- Ladies' Altar Society of St. Therese
- Knights of Columbus Council #1357
- Vocations Club of Natchitoches
- Lectors and altar servers
- Parish choirs and Latin scholæ
- CCD / Religious Education
- RCIA team
St. Mary's School
St. Mary's School is the parish's Pre-K through 12th-grade Catholic school, located at 1102 E. 5th Street, Natchitoches (phone 318-352-8394). It is staffed by Kristi Martin (Administrative Assistant), Lisa Guillet (Development Director), and Christie Griffin (Student Services). Wednesday Mass at 9:00 am is celebrated at the school during the school year.
- Grades: Pre-K through 12
- Address: 1102 E. 5th Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457
- Phone: (318) 352-8394
- Weekly school Mass: Wednesdays 9:00 am during school year
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by its pastor with the assistance of two permanent deacons and a parish secretary. The Diocese of Alexandria's 2025–2026 directory confirms the current roster.
- Rev. Irion St. Romain — Pastor
- Deacon John Whitehead — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Chad Thibodeaux — Permanent Deacon
- Susan Chesal — Parish Secretary
Becoming a Parishioner
The parish welcomes new members through a three-step process: completing the New Parishioner Info Form, getting involved in one of the parish's lay organizations or liturgical ministries, and following the parish on social media. The parish also maintains a 'Return to the Church' page for those who have been away from the sacraments.
- Step One: New Parishioner Info Form
- Step Two: Get Involved (ministries, organizations, choirs)
- Step Three: Social Media
- Return to the Church: contact a priest or deacon at 318-352-3422 or [email protected]
Visiting and Pilgrimage
The basilica is a registered pilgrimage church for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy (2016) and the Holy Year 2025. Visitors may arrange tours of the church, the Bishop Martin Museum in the Old Seminary (built 1855), and the historic Rectory across the street (originally built in New Orleans in 1885, dismantled and shipped to Natchitoches by boat). The Bishop's Residence, erected by Bishop Martin, stands behind the Seminary on Trudeau Street.
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (closed 12 noon – 1:00 pm); Fri 8:00 am – 12:00 noon
- Phone: (318) 352-3422
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 605 Second Street / 145 Church St., Natchitoches, LA 71457
- Nearby landmarks: Bishop Martin Museum (Old Seminary, 1855); historic Rectory; Bishop's Residence (Trudeau Street)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Antoine Piegay (later Monsignor)1887–1932
Native of St. Didier la Rivière, France; served as curate and pastor; oversaw installation of nave and dome stained-glass windows in the 1910s (each ~$150); named Monsignor in 1921; Vicar General of the diocese 1905–1939 (died November 1, 1939).
- Msgr. Stanley J. DeKeuwer
Directed the 1955–1956 restoration and redecoration of the church ($75,000); added a new vestibule and central air conditioning and heating.
- Father Kenneth Roy
Led the 1992–1996 major restoration with architectural historians and consultants from New York; raised over $1.2 million for air conditioning, lighting, sound, a new roof and drainage.
- Rev. Irion St. Romaincurrent
Current Pastor (Diocese of Alexandria 2025–2026 directory lists him as Pastor).
 "Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception")