About Sacred Heart · Rayville, Louisiana
Sacred Heart Church is a small Roman Catholic parish serving the rural community of Rayville, the seat of Richland Parish in northeastern Louisiana. The parish was established in 1920 and belongs to the Eastern Deanery of the Diocese of Shreveport, where it is canonically listed as Church of the Sacred Heart. It shares pastoral ministry with nearby St. Theresa Church in Delhi, and offers Mass in English only at its Francis Street location.
- Established
- 1920
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph A. Martina, Jr.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Shreveport
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is the only Catholic parish in Rayville and the seat of a small but enduring Catholic community in Richland Parish. It pairs traditional English-language Mass with the warmth of a rural parish and the convenience of being linked with St. Theresa in nearby Delhi, so families across the region can worship and receive the sacraments close to home. Confession is offered before Mass and by appointment, making it easy for returning Catholics and visitors to be reconciled before celebrating the Eucharist.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before Mass
- By appointment
Overview and Identity
Sacred Heart Church is the Catholic parish of Rayville, Louisiana, established in 1920 and entrusted to the pastoral care of the Diocese of Shreveport. It serves Catholics across Richland Parish in the rural northeast corner of the state, offering Mass in English at its Francis Street church. The parish is registered with GCatholic (Church ID 36281) and is grouped in the diocese's Eastern Deanery.
- Established: 1920
- Deanery: Eastern Deanery
- Diocese: Shreveport
- Language: English
History
Although the parish was canonically established in 1920, the Catholic community in Rayville is much older. Cemetery inscriptions at the corner of West Francis and South Eugene Streets document burials going back to at least 1882. The parish has historically been paired with St. Theresa in Delhi, sharing priests across the rural mission territory.
- 1882 – earliest surviving grave in Sacred Heart cemetery
- 1920 – parish formally established
- Pastoral pairing with St. Theresa, Delhi, ongoing
- 2025 – Bishop Francis Malone names Rev. Joseph A. Martina, Jr. pastor
Pastor and Clergy
As of July 15, 2025, Sacred Heart is pastored by Rev. Joseph A. Martina, Jr., who also remains pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Monroe and St. Theresa in Delhi. He is assisted by Rev. Calistus Barasa Makokha, F.M.H. (Fathers of Mercy), as associate pastor. He succeeded Rev. Peter Romanus Mallya, F.M.H., who was reassigned as chaplain to St. Francis Medical Center and St. Frederick High School in Monroe.
- Rev. Joseph A. Martina, Jr. – Pastor (appointed July 15, 2025)
- Rev. Calistus Barasa Makokha, F.M.H. – Associate Pastor
- Rev. Peter Romanus Mallya, F.M.H. – former pastor
Visiting and Contact
The parish office can be reached by phone at (318) 728-2445 or by email at [email protected]. The mailing address is 716 Francis Street, Rayville, LA 71269. The parish does not currently maintain its own independent website; its official online presence is the diocesan page at dioshpt.org/church/sacred-heart-church-2/.
- Phone: (318) 728-2445
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 716 Francis Street, Rayville, LA 71269
- Diocesan site: dioshpt.org/church/sacred-heart-church-2/
Diocese of Shreveport
Sacred Heart is one of many parishes in the Diocese of Shreveport, which covers the northern and central parts of Louisiana. The parish belongs to the diocese's Eastern Deanery and operates under Bishop Francis Malone, who makes clergy assignments for the diocese. Updates to Mass schedules, clergy assignments, and parish events are posted on the diocesan website and the diocesan Facebook page.
- Diocese of Shreveport
- Eastern Deanery
- Bishop: Francis Malone
- Diocesan site: www.dioshpt.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Phillip Pazhayakari
Listed in 2020 community directories as priest of both Sacred Heart, Rayville and St. Theresa, Delhi.
- Rev. Peter Romanus Mallya, F.M.H.through July 2025
Served as pastor of Sacred Heart, Rayville, its mission St. Theresa (Delhi), and St. Joseph Parish, Bastrop. Relieved by Bishop Francis Malone effective July 15, 2025, reassigned as chaplain at St. Francis Medical Center and St. Frederick High School, Monroe.
- Rev. Joseph A. Martina, Jr.appointed July 15, 2025
Appointed pastor of Sacred Heart, Rayville and St. Theresa, Delhi by Bishop Francis Malone, while continuing as pastor of St. Matthew Parish, Monroe.