Our Lady of Grace

About Our Lady of Grace

Our Lady of Grace is a Josephite Catholic parish serving the Black Catholic community of Reserve, Louisiana, in St. John the Baptist Parish on the west bank of the River Parishes. It was founded in 1937 by Father Roderique Anthony Auclair, S.S.J., and is named in honor of the Blessed Mother. The parish welcomes members, their children and visitors, with a stated mission to instill 'a spirit of prayer, integrity and generosity in each other, with a special concern for the poor, sick, elderly, disabled, the unborn and the weak,' and to practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

History

The parish grew out of Father Jean M. Eyraud's 1931 effort to educate the Black children of St. Peter's Reserve at a new St. Catherine School. In 1936 the Archdiocese of New Orleans, with the Josephites, Sisters of the Holy Family and Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, set aside a separate parish for Black Catholics; construction was completed and the first Mass was offered on Palm Sunday, March 21, 1937. Archbishop Rummel formally dedicated Our Lady of Grace on June 13, 1937.

• 1931 — Father Jean M. Eyraud founds St. Catherine School, the first Black parochial school in the community.
• 1936 — Father Roderique Anthony Auclair, S.S.J. assigned to develop the new mission; church, rectory and garage constructed.
• March 21, 1937 — First Mass celebrated on Palm Sunday.
• June 13, 1937 — Archbishop Rummel officially dedicates Our Lady of Grace.
• 1948 — Father Joseph George Turner builds a combination elementary/high school and gymnasium-auditorium.
• January 29, 1957 — Fire destroys the original wood-frame school and convent.
• June 22, 1958 — Reconstructed school and convent dedicated under Father Joseph G. LeFrois and Walter Keller Sr.
• Mid-1960s — High school closes due to declining enrollment.
• November 6–8, 1987 — 50th anniversary reunion celebration.
• September 8, 1992 — New Our Lady of Grace Church dedicated under Father Robert William Sullivan; original 1937 sanctuary moved to its present site and donated to Riverlands Christian Center Church.
• November 15, 2005 — Original sanctuary listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP No. 05001277).
• 2012 — Original sanctuary listed on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.
• 2016 — Elementary school (pre-K through 8) permanently closes.
• 2022 — Father Godwin Ani, SSJ becomes pastor; 85th anniversary Mass and Banquet held November 6.

The Original 1937 Sanctuary

The wood-frame sanctuary built in 1937 is Our Lady of Grace's most distinctive landmark. Rather than being demolished when the new church opened in 1992, it was donated by the Archdiocese of New Orleans and physically moved to its current location near the junction of Airline Highway and 3rd Street, where it now serves the Riverlands Christian Center Church. The National Register of Historic Places recognized it in 2005, and the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail listed it in 2012, calling it significant in the areas of religion, social history and ethnic heritage because it represents 'an important historical phenomenon in the history of the Catholic Church in southern Louisiana — the formation of separate churches for African-American parishioners.'

• Built: 1937
• Location of original sanctuary: near junction of Airline Highway and 3rd Street, Reserve, Louisiana
• Coordinates: 30°4′23″N 90°33′23″W
• Area: less than one acre
• NRHP reference No.: 05001277 — added November 15, 2005
• Louisiana African American Heritage Trail: 2012

Josephite Heritage

Our Lady of Grace has been continuously staffed since its founding by priests of the Society of St. Joseph (the Josephites, S.S.J.), a religious congregation devoted to the evangelization of African Americans. The Josephites, together with the Sisters of the Holy Family (founded by Venerable Henriette Delille) and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, supported the founding of the parish in 1937. Today, the pastor and parochial vicar continue to be members of the S.S.J.

• Society of St. Joseph (Josephites / S.S.J.) — founding and continuing sponsor
• Sisters of the Holy Family — taught the parish school for decades
• Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament — supported the founding mission

Sacraments

The parish prepares members for the sacraments of initiation and healing in keeping with its mission to 'provide a place of spiritual worship and growth for our members, our children, and all visitors.' Baptism preparation is required for first-time parents; the Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard before every Mass and by appointment.

• Baptism — one-time Baptism Preparation Class required for parents who have not previously attended one in any Catholic parish; both parents and godparents encouraged; Baptisms during weekend Liturgy or scheduled with the Pastor
• Reconciliation (Confession) — before each Mass and by appointment
• Care of the sick and homebound — pastoral visits and Communion

Parish Life & Community

Our Lady of Grace is a multi-generational community whose members frequently trace their Catholic roots back four or five generations to the founding of the parish. Beyond its weekly Masses, the parish lives out a mission centered on prayer, integrity and generosity, with particular care for the poor, sick, elderly, disabled, the unborn and the weak, and a steady practice of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Regular gatherings such as community Masses, picnics and milestone anniversary celebrations (50th in 1987, 75th themed 'We have come this far by faith,' 85th in 2022) bind the parish together across decades.

• Online Giving program — 'God Loves a Cheerful Giver' (2 Corinthians 9:7)
• Community Mass and Picnic (e.g., September 25, 2022 for the 85th anniversary)
• Anniversary milestone celebrations at 50, 75 and 85 years

Visit & Contact

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church is located at 780 Highway 44 in Reserve, Louisiana. The parish office can be reached by phone or email for Mass intentions, sacramental needs, or general inquiries.

• Address: 780 Highway 44, Reserve, LA 70084
• Phone: (985) 536-2613
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://olgcommunity.com/