About St. Christopher the Martyr · Metairie, Louisiana
St. Christopher the Martyr is a Roman Catholic parish in Metairie, Louisiana, established on July 1, 1947 by Archbishop Joseph F. Rummel from parts of St. Catherine of Siena and St. Agnes parishes. Originally carved out of land described by its founding pastor as "a big field with a lot of trees," the parish grew to encompass an early-learning center, an elementary school, and a community of about 1,800 families whose boundaries today run roughly from Clearview Parkway to Causeway Boulevard. A member of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the parish is served by daily and weekend Masses in English, a perpetual Adoration Chapel, Saturday confessions, and dozens of lay ministries including RCIA, CYO, Knights of Columbus, Scouts, and parish school of religion.
- Established
- 1947
- Patron
- St. Christopher the Martyr
- Rector
- Fr. Raymond Igbogidi
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New Orleans
Why belong here
St. Christopher the Martyr offers the full sacramental life of a large, active Catholic parish: daily and weekend Mass, Saturday confession, and a dedicated Adoration Chapel open weekdays from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM (plus early-morning adoration in church). Parishioners of every age find a place through more than two dozen ministries — CYO, Knights of Columbus, Boy Scout Troops 117 and 269, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Music Ministry, Altar Servers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, the Altar Society, the Holy Name Society, the Men's Club, Mission Rosary Makers, Outreach Ministry, and the Parish Enrichment Group — and the parish grounds host St. Christopher School, an Early Learning Center, a Parish Hall, and a lively social calendar built around the Fall Fest and the annual St. Joseph Altar. RCIA and the Parish School of Religion make the parish a welcoming home for newcomers, returning Catholics, and growing families in Metairie.
Mass times at St. Christopher the Martyr
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM (contact the rectory to make an appointment for other times)
Adoration times
- Monday 5:45 AM to 6:30 AM (in church)
- Tuesday 5:45 AM to 6:30 AM (in church)
- Thursday 5:45 AM to 6:30 AM (in church)
- Friday 5:45 AM to 6:30 AM (in church)
- Monday 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM (Adoration Chapel)
- Tuesday 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM (Adoration Chapel)
- Wednesday 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM (Adoration Chapel)
- Thursday 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM (Adoration Chapel)
- Friday 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM (Adoration Chapel)
Parish History
Established on July 1, 1947 by Archbishop Joseph F. Rummel from parts of St. Catherine of Siena and St. Agnes parishes, St. Christopher the Martyr was formally dedicated on November 13, 1947 and grew rapidly through the post-war expansion of Metairie. From an initial 600 families served out of Army-barracks church and rectory, the parish has remained a steady presence in Jefferson Parish for more than 75 years.
- 1947 founding
- First baptisms July 13, 1947
- 1949 opening of St. Christopher School
- Six daughter parishes carved out between 1955 and 1971
St. Christopher School
Dedicated in September 1949 and originally staffed by the Marianites of Holy Cross (until 1975), St. Christopher School has educated generations of Metairie children under founding principal Sr. Luke, MSC and current principal Mrs. Ruth Meche. The school is well known for its annual seventh-grade St. Joseph Altar, which is assembled by the students with help from families and parishioners, blessed by Fr. Raymond Igbogidi, and disassembled so the food can be donated to local charities and nursing homes.
- Founded 1949 with 427 children
- Stafed by Marianites of Holy Cross through 1975
- Annual St. Joseph Altar project
Early Learning Center
In 2014, with the encouragement of Fr. Frank Candalisa, the parish received approval to convert the old convent into an Early Learning Center, expanding the parish's formation offerings for the youngest members of the community.
Faith Formation & RCIA
Children prepare for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist through St. Christopher School or the Parish School of Religion (CCD), with sacramental sessions typically celebrated in the spring and directed by Mr. Richard St. Amant. Adult initiation follows the four-phase Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process led by Merrith and Elen Karl, with weekly meetings, special rites at Sunday Mass, and the Rite of Election/Call to Continuing Conversion on the First Sunday of Lent.
- Parish School of Religion / CCD
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist preparation
- Confirmation Formation Program
- RCIA for unbaptized, baptized in another tradition, or catechized Catholics needing Eucharist/Confirmation
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Lay life at St. Christopher runs through more than two dozen groups that animate the parish's sacramental, charitable, and social mission. Worship is supported by Adoration Chapel volunteers, Altar Servers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers and Hospitality Ministers, and the Music Ministry. Community life is shaped by the Altar Society, Holy Name Society, Men's Club, Knights of Columbus, Home and School Club, Parish Council, Finance Council, Parish Enrichment Group, and Outreach Ministry. Youth and family life is grounded in CYO, Boy Scout Troops 117 and 269, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Confirmation Formation Program, Mission Rosary Makers, the Circle of Friends Club, and the Parish School of Religion.
- Adoration Chapel volunteers
- Altar Servers
- Altar Society
- Boy Scout Troops 117 and 269
- Circle of Friends Club
- Confirmation Formation Program
- Cub Scouts
- CYO
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Evening for the Engaged
- Finance Council
- Girl Scouts
- Holy Name Society
- Home and School Club
- Knights of Columbus
- Lectors
- Men's Club
- Mission Rosary Makers
- Music Ministry
- Outreach Ministry
- Parish Council
- Parish Enrichment Group (PEG)
- Parish School of Religion
- Ushers and Hospitality Ministers
Sacraments
The parish website provides practical guidance for receiving the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), marriage preparation through the 'Evening for the Engaged' program, and adult initiation through RCIA. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are typically celebrated in the spring for children who have completed the parish's formation requirements.
- Baptism
- First Eucharist & First Reconciliation
- Confirmation
- Marriage / Evening for the Engaged
- RCIA (adults)
Parish Life & Traditions
The parish calendar features the Fall Fest inaugurated in 1999, an annual Christmas tree lighting Mass with caroling and reception begun during Fr. Harney's tenure, and the seventh-grade St. Joseph Altar at the school. The Parish Enrichment Group launched the parish website (www.stchristopherano.com) in 2015 and publishes a weekly 'Good News You Can Use' e-mail.
- Fall Fest (since 1999)
- Christmas tree lighting Mass (since 1998)
- St. Joseph Altar by seventh graders
- Parish Enrichment Group weekly e-mail
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Christopher the Martyr by phone at (504) 837-8214 or by visiting the official parish website at stchristopherano.com. The parish office mailing address is 309 Manson Ave., Metairie, LA 70001; the church is located at 3924 Derbigny St., Metairie, LA 70001.
- Office: 309 Manson Ave., Metairie, LA 70001
- Church: 3924 Derbigny St., Metairie, LA 70001
- Phone: (504) 837-8214
- Web: stchristopherano.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Patrick J. Quinn1947–
Founding pastor; described new parish as 'a big field with a lot of trees.' Oversaw purchase of property and erection of Army barracks as temporary church/rectory.
- Monsignor Louis LeBourgeois1983–
Rectory addition completed; candle room added to church; renovation converted into a devotional chapel.
- Fr. Adamspre-1998
Preceded Fr. Harney.
- Fr. Kenneth Harney1998–2007
Play School and Parish Hall built and dedicated with parish's 50th anniversary; Christmas tree lighting Mass/carling tradition began. Passed away in 2007.
- Fr. Frank Candalisa2007–2019
Encouraged Parish Enrichment Group, the parish census, ParishSOFT adoption, and website launch.
- Fr. Raymond Igbogidi2019–present
Installed July 14, 2019; convened Finance Council and Parish Council.