About St. Agnes Catholic Church · Baton Rouge, Louisiana
St. Agnes Catholic Church is a traditional parish in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, seated on the edge of historic Beauregard Town between Downtown Baton Rouge and Louisiana State University. It was founded as a mission of St. Joseph Church on May 27, 1912, and established as an independent parish on February 9, 1917, making it the second-oldest parish in Baton Rouge. It is the home of the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Baton Rouge (a role assigned by Bishop Ott in 1988) and runs an ASl-interpreted Sunday Mass and a daily Eucharistic Adoration chapel. The parish has also been home to Dominican Sisters, the Holy Ghost Fathers, the Mercedarian Sisters, and (since 1985) the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa, who operate a women's shelter and a soup kitchen on the campus.
- Established
- 1917
- Patron
- St. Agnes (of Rome)
- Rector
- Rev. P. Brent Maher (Father Brent Maher)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge
Why belong here
St. Agnes is the home of the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, with Sunday High Mass and Wednesday Low Mass, and it is one of the few area parishes offering an ASL-interpreted Sunday Mass and a daily Eucharistic Adoration chapel open Monday-Friday, 9 am to 3 pm. The community is deeply committed to catechesis through its Parish School of Religion, a homeschool co-op, OCIA, and ongoing adult formation, while still running sacramental ministries (Altar Society, Lectors, Ushers, Sacred Music), charitable outreach (the Missionaries of Charity shelter and soup kitchen on campus, a Food Pantry, Poor Box Distributions), and fraternal bodies such as the Knights of Columbus.
Mass times at St. Agnes Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday - Friday: after daily Mass until 8:00 am
- Wednesday: 5:00 pm - 5:25 pm
- Saturday: 7:30 am - 8:25 am
- Saturday: 3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Adoration Chapel: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
- First Friday (special, see parish calendar)
Parish History
Founded in 1912 as a mission of St. Joseph Church and made an independent parish in 1917 by Archbishop James Blenk, St. Agnes is the second-oldest parish in Baton Rouge. The current Romanesque-style church, rectory, convent, gym and covered walkway were built 1946-1956 under Monsignor Patrick Gillespie and dedicated in 1951. The parish's territory was trimmed in 1955 when St. Aloysius was created, and the 1988 appointment by Bishop Ott as the diocese's home for the Traditional Latin Mass shaped its current identity. Recent milestones include the arrival of the Missionaries of Charity (1985), the appointment of Father Brent Maher as eighth pastor (2020), the parish's Casavant organ refurbishment (2024), and the June 2025 blessing of the new adoration chapel and renovated parish hall.
- Founded May 27, 1912 (as a mission)
- Established as parish February 9, 1917
- First pastor: Father Edward Rombouts
- New church dedicated November 4, 1951 by Archbishop Rummel
- Named home of the Traditional Latin Mass in 1988
- 1985: Mother Teresa selects St. Agnes for the Missionaries of Charity
Architecture & Campus
The 1951 church is built in a Romanesque style with repeating archways. Traditional stained-glass windows carry the theme of the Pange Lingua hymn, and the apse over the altar is decorated with Christian symbols in gold leaf. The bell tower holds an 1857 fire bell purchased at auction from the city of Baton Rouge, and the church was the first air-conditioned church in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The recently restored Casavant pipe organ (1951, refurbished in Quebec in 2024) anchors both the English and Latin Masses. The campus comprises the church, rectory, gym, convent (now used as the Office and Catechism Building), former school (now Missionaries of Charity shelter and soup kitchen), and the renovated parish hall opened in 2025 with a new adoration chapel.
- Romanesque style
- Stained glass on theme of Pange Lingua
- Gold-leaf apse with Christian symbols
- Casavant pipe organ (refurbished 2024)
- 1857 fire bell in the bell tower
Traditional Latin Mass
St. Agnes is the home of the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. A High Mass (with music) is offered every Sunday, and a Low Mass (without music) is offered every Wednesday evening. Additional Traditional Latin Masses are scheduled for Holy Days of Obligation and other special feasts (see the Parish Calendar). Father Brent offers a 'TLM 101' talk and supporting handouts for newcomers interested in the traditional rite.
- Sunday High Mass (with music)
- Wednesday evening Low Mass
- TLM 101 talk for newcomers
- Additional Holy Day and feast-day Latin Masses
Clergy & Administration
Father Brent Maher is pastor (eighth pastor of St. Agnes, appointed by Bishop Duca on September 12, 2020), assisted by Father Joey F. Angeles, Priest in Residence. The Administration Team supports the pastor in running parish operations: Father Brent serves as Director of Sacred Liturgy; Karen White is Director of Formation; Allen Kliebert is Director of Outreach; and Sam Mistretta is Director of Ministries. Lay staff include Carla Landry (Choir Director/Cantor), Craig Toups (Organist & Children's Choir Director), Margaret Lovecraft (Wedding Coordinator & Child Protection Coordinator), Keith Manley (Sacristan/Security), Kathi Calamari, Eric LeDuff (Facilities Manager), Ashley Coleman (Receptionist), and Cynthia Toups.
- Pastor: Father Brent Maher
- Priest in Residence: Father Joey F. Angeles
- Director of Formation: Karen White
- Director of Outreach: Allen Kliebert
- Director of Ministries: Sam Mistretta
- Director of Sacred Liturgy: Father Brent Maher
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Parish School of Religion (PSR) supports parents as the first teachers of their children. Classes meet Sundays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm for Pre-K 4 through 12th Grade. There are no required fees; books are provided free of charge, and a Religious Education Collection is taken up each September to fund the program. Key sacramental milestones are First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion (at the age of reason, in coordination with parents and the pastor) and Confirmation (typically in 7th Grade). The Diocese of Baton Rouge's Circle of Grace curriculum is taught to K-12. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) is available for adults, and a Homeschool Co-op began meeting two half-days per week in fall 2024.
- PSR Sundays 1:00-3:00 pm, Pre-K 4 through 12th Grade
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion at the age of reason
- Confirmation typically in 7th Grade
- Circle of Grace diocesan curriculum
- OCIA for adults
- Homeschool Co-op (begun September 2024)
Liturgical Ministries
Lay faithful serve the parish as Ushers, Altar Servers, Lectors, Sacristans, and Choir members. The Parish Choir sings at the 9:30 am Sunday Traditional Latin Mass and at major feasts, rehearsing Thursdays 6:00-8:00 pm under director Carla Landry; reading music and prior training are not required, only willingness to attend practice and Masses. The Children's Choir is directed by organist Craig Toups. Lectors serve at weekend and daily Masses and are coordinated by Cynthia Toups.
- Altar Servers, Lectors, Ushers
- Sacristans / Sacristan & Security
- Parish Choir (Sunday 9:30 am Latin Mass)
- Children's Choir
- Altar Society
Outreach & Charity
St. Agnes carries on the longstanding mission of the Missionaries of Charity on its own campus: a women's shelter and a daily soup kitchen for the poor of Baton Rouge, housed in the former school building. Parish-run outreach includes a Food Pantry, Poor Box distributions, Service to Needy, the Grub Group, Homebound Eucharistic Ministers, Hospitality Team, Used Books Shelf, Volunteers for Parish Projects, and a Prayer Line. The Knights of Columbus council is active here, and the Culture of Life Committee and Called & Gifted discernment support parish spiritual life.
- Missionaries of Charity women's shelter
- Daily soup kitchen
- Food Pantry and Poor Box distributions
- Grub Group, Homebound Eucharistic Ministers
- Knights of Columbus
- Culture of Life Committee
- Hospitality Team, Prayer Line
Adult Formation & Spiritual Life
Allen Kliebert (Director of Outreach / formation liaison) coordinates Called & Gifted discernment, FORMED programming, Guest Speakers, and Pilgrimages for the parish. Weekly Sung Vespers and daily Eucharistic Adoration deepen devotional life. The parish also maintains an active Prayer Line and a Used Books Shelf for faith resources.
- Called & Gifted discernment
- FORMED programming
- Guest speakers and pilgrimages
- Sung Vespers (last Sunday of the month)
- Daily Eucharistic Adoration (Mon-Fri)
Visit Us — Directions & Contact
St. Agnes is at 749 East Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, on the edge of historic Beauregard Town between Downtown Baton Rouge and LSU. Detailed driving directions are posted for I-10 East, I-10 West, and I-110 South; two parking lots flank the church along East Boulevard between Europe Street and South Boulevard. The parish office is open Monday-Thursday, 9 am to 4:30 pm (closed Friday-Sunday). Email [email protected]; the Missionaries of Charity Shelter & Soup Kitchen can be reached at (225) 383-8367.
- Address: 749 East Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
- Office hours: Mon-Thu 9 am - 4:30 pm (closed Fri-Sun)
- Driving directions for I-10 East, I-10 West, I-110 South
- Two parking lots near the church
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Edward Rombouts1917-?
First pastor; brother of Father Francis Rombouts.
- Father Lucien J. Caillouet1934-?
Second pastor; later made a monsignor and vicar general of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
- Monsignor Patrick Gillespie1938-1982
Third pastor; oversaw construction and decoration of the campus during 1946-1956; died on Pentecost Sunday 1982.
- Father John Spriggs1983-?
Fourth pastor; installed August 1, 1983.
- Monsignor Robert H. Berggreen1995-?
Fifth pastor; installed August 1995.
- Father Joseph Camilleri2011-2013
Sixth pastor; installed July 16, 2011; removed by Bishop Muench July 15, 2013.
- Father Charbel Jamhoury2015-2020
Seventh pastor; administrator from January 2015, installed July 9, 2017; departed September 6, 2020 to resolve immigrant visa issues.
- Father Brent Maher2020-present
Eighth and current pastor; appointed by Bishop Duca on September 12, 2020.