About St. Anthony of Padua · Bunkie, Louisiana
St. Anthony of Padua is a Roman Catholic parish in Bunkie, Louisiana, founded in 1904 to serve Italian immigrants in Avoyelles Parish. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Alexandria and is located at 409 St. John Street, with a thriving Catholic school (Pre-K through 8) and a rich liturgical life that includes daily Mass, two Sunday Masses, First Friday devotions, and weekly Eucharistic Adoration. Monsignor Scott Chemino serves as pastor alongside a parochial vicar and transitional deacon. The 1926 church building, distinguished by original Emil Frei stained-glass windows and a newly-completed sanctuary renovation, was recently placed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and designated a Jubilee Year 2025 Pilgrimage Church.
- Established
- 1904
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Msgr. Stephen Scott Chemino, J.D., J.C.L.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Alexandria (Louisiana) — Avoyelles Deanery
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua offers a full traditional Catholic life centered on daily Mass, frequent confession, and rich Eucharistic devotion — including weekly Friday Adoration with Benediction, First Friday Mass, Stations of the Cross in Lent, and a weekly Thursday Rosary. The parish partners with families through its Pre-K–8 Catholic school, a religious education program for elementary and high school students, an active youth ministry, RCIA, and Sunday religion education. With its recent historic renovation, National Register listing, and designation as a 2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage Church, St. Anthony's offers both an active parish family and a remarkable sacred space for prayer and pilgrimage.
Mass times at St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before daily Masses (Mon–Fri)
- 30 minutes before weekend Masses
Adoration times
- Friday 8:00 am with Benediction at 4:45 pm
- First Friday Adoration and Benediction 3:00–5:00 pm
Parish History
St. Anthony of Padua Parish was founded in 1904 to serve the Italian immigrant community in Bunkie, in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana. The present church building was completed and dedicated in 1926, and from its earliest days displayed stained-glass windows by Emil Frei, the German-born founder of Emil Frei Studios of St. Louis. In 1931 the parish extended its educational mission by founding St. Anthony of Padua School. The parish recently completed a major seven-month renovation in 2024 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a 2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage Church.
- Founded 1904 to serve Italian immigrants
- Church dedicated 1926
- School founded 1931
- National Register of Historic Places listing
- 2025 Jubilee Year Pilgrimage Church
Recent Renovation & Historic Treasures
An extensive seven-month renovation, completed in 2024 ahead of the parish centennial, gave the sanctuary new flooring, a marble altar, a new Baroque-style tabernacle, and a Romanesque-style reredos designed by Avoyelles architect Wayne Coco. The 1926 Emil Frei stained-glass window of Saint Anthony in Adoration of the Christ — the first stained-glass installed in the church — was restored in 2024 by Emil Frei Studios. Additional Frei windows in the church have been verified by the firm. Murals depicting the miracles of Saint Anthony and new sanctuary rugs are being added in 2025.
- Seven-month renovation completed 2024
- New Romanesque-style reredos by Wayne Coco
- New Baroque-style tabernacle with Evangelist statues
- Original 1926 Emil Frei window restored in 2024
- Miracles-of-Saint-Anthony murals installed Spring 2025
Pastoral Staff & Parish Office
The parish is led by Monsignor Stephen Scott Chemino, J.D., J.C.L., and is assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Joseph Xavier and Transitional Deacon Rev. Mr. Gabriel Dowden. Jenny Lacombe serves as parish secretary. The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, closed for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, and closed on Mondays.
- Pastor: Msgr. Stephen Scott Chemino, J.D., J.C.L.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Joseph Xavier
- Transitional Deacon: Rev. Mr. Gabriel Dowden
- Parish Secretary: Jenny Lacombe
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation for the parish's children and youth is coordinated by Robert Mathews, Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry, with Dwayne Kelly overseeing Elementary Religious Formation. The parish offers Sunday religion education (formerly coordinated by Carol Steckler) and a full high-school youth ministry program. Adults preparing for full initiation into the Catholic Church participate in the parish RCIA, coordinated by Gary Steckler.
- Elementary Religious Formation
- Director of Religious Education / Youth Ministry
- Sunday Religion Education
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Music Ministry
Liturgical music at St. Anthony's is led by Music Director Nettie Chenevert. The music ministry supports the sung liturgy of all weekend and weekday Masses, as well as the special Holy Day and Holy Week celebrations.
- Music Director: Nettie Chenevert
St. Anthony of Padua School
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School is a Pre-K through 8th-grade parish school founded in 1931 as an extension of the church. The original building, comprising four classrooms, still stands on the campus at 116 S. Knoll Street. A Junior High wing called Providence Hall was added in 1979 and remains in use today. The school is committed to Catholic values, academic excellence, and service, and serves children of all faiths under the leadership of Principal Sadie LaPoint. Annual events include the Halloween Carnival, Catholic Schools Week, Kindergarten and 8th Grade Graduation, and spring Pre-Registration.
- Founded 1931 as an extension of the parish
- Original 4-classroom building still in use
- Providence Hall Junior High wing added 1979
- Grades: Pre-K through 8
- Principal: Sadie LaPoint
- Phone: (318) 346-2739
- Address: 116 S. Knoll Street, Bunkie, LA 71322
Visiting Bunkie & Pilgrimage
As a designated Jubilee Year 2025 Pilgrimage Church, St. Anthony of Padua welcomes spiritual pilgrims throughout the year. The parish has installed a welcome banner and offers pilgrimage passports and a guest register at the church. Special guided tours of the newly renovated historic sanctuary and its Emil Frei stained glass can be arranged by calling the parish office at (318) 346-7274 or by email. The church is located on St. John Street in downtown Bunkie, the seat of a historic Central Louisiana community.
- 2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage Church
- Welcome banner and pilgrimage passports
- Tours by appointment via the parish office
- Located in historic downtown Bunkie