About St. Anthony of Padua · Natchitoches, Louisiana
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Natchitoches, Louisiana, serving the historic Cane River region as part of the Diocese of Alexandria. The parish was established in 1935 — growing out of a long Catholic presence in the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase — and was built to minister to Catholic families of color in Natchitoches, including the surrounding Creole and African American communities. Today's parish, located at 911 Fifth Street, offers Mass in both English and Spanish, along with Eucharistic Adoration, a weekly Rosary, and a variety of devotions throughout the year. It is led by Pastor Very Rev. John O'Brien, VF, who also serves as Vicar Forane of the Natchitoches Deanery, and Deacon Steven Newbury.
- Established
- 1935
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Very Rev. John O'Brien, VF
- Diocese
- Diocese of Alexandria (Louisiana)
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua is a welcoming Catholic parish in the heart of historic Natchitoches with Mass offered in both English and Spanish, plus a rich rhythm of devotion throughout the week — Holy Hour Adoration before every Mass, a 9:30 a.m. Sunday Rosary, Lenten Stations of the Cross and Divine Mercy devotions, a First Friday healing prayer service, and First Saturday Masses. With a pastor who also serves the Natchitoches Deanery, a permanent Deacon, an active youth ministry, and a parish school legacy that stretches back nearly a century, St. Anthony's is a down-to-earth community where families can pray together, learn the faith, and serve their neighbors across central Louisiana.
Mass times at St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 15 minutes before each weekend Mass
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Holy Hour Adoration before every Mass
History & Heritage of St. Anthony of Padua
St. Anthony of Padua was established in 1935 within the Diocese of Alexandria (formerly the Diocese of Natchitoches), in a community where Catholic worship had already been continuous since the early 1700s Franciscan missions to settlers along the Red River. The parish was specifically founded to serve Catholic families of color in Natchitoches and became a center for Black and Creole Catholic life in central Louisiana.
- Founded in 1935 (per Diocese of Alexandria and GCatholic)
- Named in connection with the long-serving French priest Very Rev. Anthony Piegay (pastor 1904–early 1900s)
- Operator of St. Anthony's Piegay Memorial School, staffed by the Sisters of Divine Providence and the Daughters of the Cross
- Documented in the Cane River Folklife / Civil War to Civil Rights oral history collection (NSULA), including 1945 testimony about Jim Crow-era seating
- Continued physical growth of the parish documented by a 2007 photo of the new St. Anthony church (Dayna Bowker Lee / NSULA archives)
Clergy & Pastoral Leadership
The parish is led by Very Rev. John O'Brien, VF, who serves as both Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua and Vicar Forane of the Natchitoches Deanery within the Diocese of Alexandria. He is assisted by Permanent Deacon Steven Newbury. Parish youth ministry is coordinated by Deborah Llorens.
- Pastor: Very Rev. John O'Brien, VF (also Vicar Forane, Natchitoches Deanery)
- Deacon: Steven Newbury
- Youth Ministry: Deborah Llorens
Parish Ministries & Faith Formation
Parish life at St. Anthony of Padua centers on the Eucharist, Marian devotion, and formation of the young. Beyond the regular schedule, the parish coordinates a youth ministry and a devotional rhythm that invites the whole family into the liturgical life of the Church.
- Youth Ministry — under coordinator Deborah Llorens
- Eucharistic Adoration (Holy Hour before Mass)
- Sunday Rosary
- First Friday Healing Prayer Service
- First Saturday Mass
- Lenten Divine Mercy Chaplet and Stations of the Cross
Piegay Memorial School — A Living Legacy
From its founding in 1935, St. Anthony of Padua operated St. Anthony's Piegay Memorial School, named for Very Rev. Anthony Piegay — the French-born pastor who led the Catholic community of Natchitoches from 1887 and served as Vicar-General of the Diocese of Natchitoches. The school educated Black and Creole children of central Louisiana under the direction of the Sisters of Divine Providence, the Daughters of the Cross, and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, in a region where Catholic schooling for families of color was rare.
- Named for Very Rev. Anthony Piegay (pastor 1904, vicar-general from 1905)
- Staffed by the Sisters of Divine Providence and the Daughters of the Cross
- Served Black and Creole Catholic families of Natchitoches
- Reflected Father Piegay's tradition of combining a parochial school with a convent for religious education of the young
Diocese of Alexandria
St. Anthony of Padua is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana, which today comprises the northern portion of the state above roughly 31° N. latitude. The diocese was originally erected in 1853 as the Diocese of Natchitoches; the see was transferred to Alexandria in 1910 under Bishop Cornelius Van De Ven. St. Anthony of Padua belongs to the Natchitoches Deanery, whose Vicar Forane is the parish's own pastor, Very Rev. John O'Brien, VF.
- Diocese of Alexandria — formerly the Diocese of Natchitoches (1853–1910)
- St. Anthony of Padua belongs to the Natchitoches Deanery
- Pastor serves as Vicar Forane of the Deanery
Visit, Contact & Giving
St. Anthony of Padua welcomes visitors and is conveniently located on Fifth Street in central Natchitoches, Louisiana — the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or through the official website.
- Address: 911 5th Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457
- Phone: (318) 352-2559
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Online giving available via the parish website
- Mailing of tithes accepted at the parish office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Very Rev. Anthony Piegay1887–early 20th century (parish of Natchitoches)
French-born priest who arrived in Natchitoches in 1887, became pastor in 1904, and served as Vicar-General of the Diocese of Natchitoches; built up the parish's schools and convents. The parish's 'Piegay School' was named for him.