About St. Eloi (Dularge) · Theriot, Louisiana
St. Eloi Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Theriot, Louisiana, on Bayou Dularge in Terrebonne Parish. Founded in 1875 by descendants of the original Theriot and Thibodaux bayou settlers, it belongs to the Diocese of Houma–Thibodaux and serves a tight-knit Cajun bayou community that has worshipped on this site for seven generations. After sustaining major damage from Hurricane Ida in August 2021, the historic church was painstakingly restored and rededicated by Bishop Simon Peter Engurait on March 28, 2026, with its original American Gothic features, antique altars, Stations of the Cross and stained-glass elements carefully preserved. The parish is pastored by Friar Antonio M. Farrugia of the pfsgm order, who also serves neighboring Holy Family Parish.
- Established
- 1875
- Patron
- St. Eloi (St. Eligius)
- Rector
- Rev. Antonio M.S. Farrugia, pfsgm (serving since June 2022)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Houma–Thibodaux
Why belong here
St. Eloi is a small, multigenerational Cajun bayou parish where seven families of the original Theriot and Thibodaux settlers have worshipped for 150 years. The parish combines daily Mass in the historic church, perpetual Monday Eucharistic Adoration with the Rosary, a robust schedule of Confession times, and ministries that draw every age into the life of the church — youth formation, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, music ministry, altar servers, and the Altar Society. As one lifelong parishioner put it when the doors reopened in 2026: 'Seven generations of my family have worshipped at St. Eloi… we can finally celebrate our sacraments in a place our generations left for us.'
Mass times at St. Eloi (Dularge)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM (after 5:30 PM Mass)
- Sunday: 8:30 AM – 8:50 AM (before 9:00 AM Mass)
- Wednesday: 9:15 AM – 9:30 AM (after 8:45 AM Mass, Rectory Chapel)
- Friday: 9:15 AM – 9:30 AM (after 8:45 AM Mass)
- Other times by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Holy Rosary at 3:00 PM)
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (3rd Wednesdays only, Rectory Chapel; Confession available)
About St. Eloi Catholic Church
St. Eloi Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Houma–Thibodaux, located on Bayou Dularge in Theriot, Louisiana. The parish describes itself as 'a community of people whose life is rooted in the love of God and whose faith is passed on in the spirit of love and service.' It is one of the oldest daughter parishes of St. Francis de Sales in Terrebonne Parish, and its current church, dedicated January 9, 1972, was rededicated on March 28, 2026 after a five-year restoration following Hurricane Ida.
- Parish website: steloichurch.org
- Diocese: Houma–Thibodaux
- Pastor: Rev. Antonio M.S. Farrugia, pfsgm
- Join the parish Flocknote: text STELOI to 84576
Parish History
St. Eloi was founded in 1875 through the generosity of Marie Seraphine Thibodaux, who donated three arpents of land in thanksgiving for the safe return of her sons from the Civil War and in memory of her late husband, Michel Eloi Theriot. Local families — Theriots, St. Martins, Thibodeauxs, Chauvins, Champagnes, Fredericks, Watkins, Briens, Henris, and Waguespacks — worked in the swamps harvesting cypress to build the first church. Archbishop Perche traveled down to bless the new structure, but the roof leaked so badly in a sudden downpour that an umbrella had to be held over the Monsignor at the altar. During Lent of 1875, he sent Father Jean Geoffroy as the first resident pastor.
- 1875 — Parish founded; first pastor Rev. Jean Geoffroy
- 1882 — Rev. Joseph Constarot
- 1890 — Rev. J.F. Raymond
- 1950s–60s — Succession of pastors including Boudreaux, Marquette, Pooley, Rodrigue, Grangell CSsR, Grech
- January 9, 1972 — Current church dedicated
- August 29, 2021 — Hurricane Ida severely damages the church
- March 28, 2026 — Bishop Simon Peter Engurait consecrates altar and rededicates church
St. Eloi (Patron Saint)
The parish is named for St. Eloi (also known as St. Eligius), who was the patron saint of founding parishioner Michel Eloi Theriot. According to the parish's own page on the saint, St. Eloi is the patron of goldsmiths, blacksmiths and metalworkers; was ordained a priest in 640; was installed as Bishop of Noyon and Tournai; ransomed many slaves; built several churches; built a monastery at Solignac; and erected a major convent in Paris.
- Patron of goldsmiths, blacksmiths & metalworkers
- Feast Day: December 1
- Ordained a priest in 640
- Bishop of Noyon and Tournai
- Also known as St. Eligius
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Friar Antonio M. Farrugia of the pfsgm, who also serves as pastor of neighboring Holy Family Parish. He is assisted by Associate Pastor Rev. Nathaniel M.A. Gadalia, pfsgm, two retired deacons, parish staff, and a Coordinator of Youth Formation.
- Rev. Antonio M.S. Farrugia, pfsgm — Pastor (St. Eloi & Holy Family Parishes)
- Rev. Nathaniel M.A. Gadalia, pfsgm — Associate Pastor
- Deacon Glenn Porche (Retired)
- Deacon Daniel Bascle (Retired)
- Eldrich Liner (Retired)
- Kristen Autin — Coordinator of Youth Formation
- Jessica Marcus — Youth Minister
- Amy Denton — Administrative Assistant
- Tim Denton — Coordinator of Activities & Custodian
- Safe Environment Training contact
Liturgy Ministries (Mass Ministries)
The parish's Mass Ministries page describes how lay faithful assist the priest at every Mass, from greeting parishioners to proclaiming Scripture. The Liturgy Committee plans the parish's liturgical celebrations.
- Lectors — proclaim the readings from Scripture at Mass
- Eucharistic Ministers — assist the priest with distribution of Holy Communion
- Commentators — make announcements at the beginning and end of Mass
- Ushers — greet parishioners, seat them, distribute bulletins and song books
- Altar Servers
- Music Ministry
- Altar Society
- Liturgy Committee
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
St. Eloi supports religious education for the parish's young people through a Coordinator of Youth Formation and a Youth Minister, with the safe-environment training required for all adult volunteers. The parish also prepares adults for full initiation through the RCIA process — those interested should contact the parish office.
- Coordinator of Youth Formation: Kristen Autin
- Youth Minister: Jessica Marcus
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) — by contact with parish office
- Safe Environment Training for adult volunteers
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Couples are asked to contact the pastor well in advance of any planned wedding, and families seeking Baptism or Anointing of the Sick should call the rectory to schedule.
- Baptism
- First Holy Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage (contact the parish office)
- Anointing of the Sick (by appointment)
- RCIA — for adults seeking full initiation
St. Eloi Cemetery
The parish maintains its own cemetery adjoining the church, part of the original three-arpent donation made by Marie Seraphine Thibodaux in 1875. Each year on the first Sunday of November, the Diocese of Houma–Thibodaux joins the parish in blessing local cemeteries, and St. Eloi's blessing is held after the 9:00 AM Mass.
- Cemetery on parish grounds (by the church on Bayou Dularge Rd.)
- Annual Cemetery Blessing — first Sunday in November after 9:00 AM Mass
Hurricane Ida & 2026 Restoration
Hurricane Ida caused severe damage to the church on August 29, 2021, and St. Eloi's Masses were celebrated in the Knights of Columbus 8779 building for nearly five years. Fr. Dean Danos led the immediate cleanup until his retirement in May 2022, and Fr. Antonio M. Farrugia, who arrived in June 2022, oversaw the full restoration. The renovation reintroduced elements of the original American Gothic-style church while building a new marble altar of sacrifice. Bishop Simon Peter Engurait celebrated the Consecration of the Altar and Rededication of the church on March 28, 2026.
- Hurricane Ida damage: August 29, 2021
- Interim worship site: Knights of Columbus 8779 Hall, 1331 Dr. Beatrous Rd.
- Original features preserved: pews, Stations of the Cross, antique statues, bronze gates
- Restored from outside the parish: wooden altar & pulpit (Iowa), sandstone baptismal font (England), sacred artwork & décor (Belgium)
- New marble altar of sacrifice built from antique altar gates
- Rededication Mass: March 28, 2026, with Bishop Simon Peter Engurait
Stay Connected
The parish maintains an active presence through its website, Facebook page, and Flocknote text-message system. The weekly bulletin is published through the parish Facebook page.
- Website: steloichurch.org
- Facebook: Saint Eloi Catholic Church (facebook.com/Saint-Eloi-Catholic-Church-501134386616749)
- Flocknote: text STELOI to 84576
- Weekly bulletin: published via the parish Facebook page
- YouTube channel: linked from steloichurch.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Jean Geoffroy1875–1882
First resident pastor; sent by Archbishop Perche during Lent of 1875.
- Rev. Joseph Constarot1882
- Rev. J.F. Raymond1890
- Rev. [various, 1893–1940s]1893–1940s
A long succession of pastors served the parish through the early 20th century (list published in parish Souvenir Program Book, 1972).
- Rev. Roland Boudreaux1950
- Rev. Preston Marquette1952
Returned from service in the U.S. Armed Forces as chaplain.
- Rev. F.J. Pooley1954
- Rev. Carter (Richaud)1958
- Rev. Cecil Rodrigue1963
- Rev. William Grangell, CSsR1965
- Rev. Carmell Grech1966
- Rev. [incumbent at 1972 dedication]1969–
Dedicated the present 'modern jewel' church on January 9, 1972.
- Rev. Dean Danosthrough May 2022
Led the immediate recovery and cleanup after Hurricane Ida.
- Rev. Antonio M.S. Farrugia, pfsgmJune 2022–present
Guided the multi-year restoration and rededication on March 28, 2026.