About St. Gabriel the Archangel · Saint Gabriel, Louisiana
St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church is a historic Catholic parish in the small Mississippi River community of St. Gabriel, Louisiana, in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Founded by Acadian exiles in the late 18th century, it is home to what is believed to be the oldest surviving church structure in the Mississippi River Valley, a cypress-built Creole-style church completed in 1776. The parish also serves as the sacramental home of the Sacred Heart Chapel at Carville (on the grounds of the Gillis W. Long Center) and reaches out to incarcerated Catholics at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Facility and the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. Today the faith community gathers for daily Mass, weekend liturgies, and a rich array of lay ministries that keep this 250-year-old congregation vibrantly alive.
- Established
- 1767 (community established); church built 1774–1776
- Patron
- St. Gabriel the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Albert L. Blount
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge
Why belong here
St. Gabriel is a small but deeply rooted faith community with a remarkable 250-year history — worshipping in (and around) what is believed to be the oldest surviving church structure in the Mississippi River Valley. Parishioners actively serve one another through more than thirty lay ministries including choir, RCIA/RCIC, religious education, Knights of Columbus, prison ministry, Ladies' Altar Society, hospitality, and youth formation, while the pastor also reaches Catholics at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Facility and the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. With weekend Masses at St. Gabriel and the Sacred Heart Chapel in Carville, daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, and a welcoming tradition that goes back to the Acadian founders, it is a parish where newcomers are invited to share in a living legacy of faith, family, and service.
Mass times at St. Gabriel the Archangel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday–Friday: 7:30 am – 7:50 am
- Saturday: 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm
History of St. Gabriel the Archangel
St. Gabriel's roots run to 1767, when Acadian exiles from Canada were sent by Spanish Governor Don Antonio de Ulloa to settle the Iberville coast (Manchac). On February 14, 1770 Governor Alejandro O'Reilly decreed construction of a church for the 'Acadians of the Iberville Coast'; using cypress from the nearby swamps, the pioneers built a simple but impressive Creole-style church begun in 1774 and completed in 1776 — the oldest surviving church structure in the Mississippi River Valley. The parish was inaugurated by Father Angelus de Revillagodos, a Spanish Capuchin, and served by both Spanish and French Capuchins through its early generations. The 1870s remodel added a Gothic Revival façade — gabled roof, west-entrance bell tower, and vaulted ceiling — while experts estimate about 73% of the original Acadian building remains beneath.
- Founded 1767 (Acadian settlement)
- Original church completed 1776
- Creole-style cypress construction
- Oldest surviving church in the Mississippi River Valley
- Remodeled c. 1870 into Gothic Revival style
- Parish incorporated 1895 for 500 years
- Old church physically relocated back from the river c. 1900
- New St. Gabriel Church dedicated April 19, 1953 — the parish's 180th anniversary
- Bell tower severed 1953; rebuilt 1973 and again after Hurricane Gustav (2008)
- Parish Hall completed and dedicated March 2004
- Father Albert Blount assigned June 2025 as current pastor
Worship Sites: St. Gabriel Church and Sacred Heart Chapel
The parish serves two worship sites. St. Gabriel Church at 3625 Highway 75 is the main parish church, fronted by the historic 1776 cypress church that the parish has preserved alongside it. The Sacred Heart Chapel at 5445 Point Clair Road in Carville sits on the grounds of the Gillis W. Long Center, the former Louisiana Leper Home. Together the two sites allow the pastor to minister to the wider community — including Catholics incarcerated at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Facility and the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women.
- St. Gabriel Church — 3625 Highway 75, St. Gabriel, LA 70776
- Sacred Heart Chapel — 5445 Point Clair Rd, Carville, LA 70721
- Reaches correctional facilities through prison ministry
Parish Staff and Pastoral Leadership
The parish is led by Father Albert L. Blount, who also serves as Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Baton Rouge and Co-Chaplain of Catholic High School in Baton Rouge. He is assisted by Deacon John Veron and a lay staff that includes Janene Hebert (Director of Administration and Operations), Myra Tircuit (Director of Religious Education and Bookkeeper), Julia LaPlace, Emma Pourciau (Secretary), and Guy Chauvin (Maintenance). The Parish Council and Finance Committee help guide parish life.
- Fr. Albert Blount — Pastor
- Deacon John Veron
- Janene Hebert — Director of Administration and Operations
- Myra Tircuit — Director of Religious Education & Bookkeeper
- Julia LaPlace
- Emma Pourciau — Parish Secretary
- Guy Chauvin — Maintenance
- Parish Council and Finance Committee
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Although a small parish, St. Gabriel offers a robust slate of formation opportunities. The Parish School of Religion runs throughout the school year, and Sacramental Preparation programs are offered for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage. Adults and children seeking full reception into the Catholic Church journey through the OCIA/OCIC (formerly RCIA/RCIC) process, supported by Peer Companions and a dedicated catechist team. Small Faith Sharing Groups round out the formation picture, allowing parishioners to grow together in their everyday lives.
- Parish School of Religion (Aug–Apr)
- Sacramental Preparation (Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage)
- OCIA / OCIC (RCIA / RCIC)
- Catechists and Support Catechists
- Small Christian Communities / Small Faith Sharing Groups
- Vacation Bible School
- Classroom Music volunteers
Liturgy and Music
The parish's traditional choir sings at the 10:00 am Sunday Mass and provides music for other special services throughout the year, with weekly practice and a commitment to Sunday liturgy. A separate Classroom Music team leads children and teachers in song during Parish School of Religion classes. Liturgical support is broad, with Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Altar Servers, Sacristans, Ushers, the Liturgy Planning Committee, the Ladies' Altar Society, the Environment Committee, and the Vestment & Linen Care team all sharing responsibility for the prayer life of the parish.
- Choir (10:00 am Sunday Mass)
- Classroom Music
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Altar Servers
- Sacristans
- Ushers
- Liturgy Planning Committee
- Ladies' Altar Society
- Environment Committee
- Vestment & Linen Care
Becoming Catholic (OCIA / RCIA)
The parish welcomes adults and children who wish to become Catholic through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults/Children (OCIA/OCIC). Inquiry Sessions are scheduled in the fall, followed by the Rite of Acceptance and Welcome. Weekly formation runs from late August through the Easter Vigil, when candidates celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation, with sponsors drawn from the parish community to walk alongside them.
- Inquiry stage in the fall
- Rite of Acceptance and Welcome
- Weekly formation late August through Easter
- Sacrament celebration at the Easter Vigil
- Parish-provided sponsor if needed
- Peer Companions accompany candidates
Parish Life, Outreach, and Community
Parish life extends well beyond the church walls. The Knights of Columbus Council supports parish and broader charitable work; the Ladies' Altar Society tends to the church's sacred linens and appointments; the Hospitality Team and New Parishioner Welcoming ministry greet visitors and newcomers. The Prayer Line and Rosary Prayer ministries keep the sick and homebound spiritually connected, while the Hospital Visitation ministry brings the Eucharist to those in need. A Construction Committee, Finance Committee, Office Mailings & Bulletin Folding team, and Money Counters keep the parish running, and the annual Church Fair helps fund the Parish Activity Center dedicated in 2004.
- Knights of Columbus Council
- Ladies' Altar Society
- Hospitality Team
- New Parishioner Welcoming
- Prayer Line
- Rosary Prayer
- Hospital Visitation
- Baptismal Team
- Mission Team
- Media / Communications
- Special Events Committee
- Annual Church Fair
- Parish Activity Center (dedicated March 2004)
Prison and Institutional Ministry
Through the pastor and the parish's Prison Ministry, St. Gabriel reaches Catholics incarcerated at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Facility and the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women, while also serving the residents, staff, and visitors of the Gillis W. Long Center's Carville campus through the Sacred Heart Chapel. This ministry is a defining outreach of the parish.
- Masses and pastoral care at Elayn Hunt Correctional Facility
- Masses and pastoral care at Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women
- Sacred Heart Chapel at the Gillis W. Long Center (former Louisiana Leper Home)
- Prison Ministry lay team
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for and celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Baptisms are coordinated through the Baptismal Team; First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation are prepared through the Sacramental Preparation program and Confirmation Team. Marriage preparation is offered for engaged couples, and the OCIA/OCIC process welcomes unbaptized adults and children into full communion. The Hospital Visitation ministry brings Holy Communion and the Anointing of the Sick to those who are ill or homebound.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation
- First Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Marriage / Marriage Preparation
- RCIA / OCIA (Adults and Children)
- Anointing of the Sick / Hospital Visitation
Practical Information & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at (225) 642-8441 or by email at [email protected]. The pastor is reachable at [email protected]; the Director of Religious Education and Bookkeeper, Myra Tircuit, can be emailed at [email protected], and the Director of Administration and Operations, Janene Hebert, at [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm (closed 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm for lunch); the office is closed on Fridays.
- Phone: (225) 642-8441
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor: [email protected]
- DRE/Bookkeeper: [email protected]
- Admin & Ops: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 am – 3:00 pm (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00); Friday closed
- Website: https://www.stgabrielcatholic.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Angelus de Revillagodos (Spanish Capuchin)1770s (inaugurated the parish)
First pastor noted on the official history; inaugurated the parish shortly after O'Reilly's 1770 decree.
- Father Valentin (French Capuchin)1779–
Listed as first French Capuchin pastor; served the Acadian community after Spanish Capuchins began in 1773.
- Father John Francois Raymondinc. 1895
During his administration the parish was incorporated under Louisiana law (Aug. 7, 1895) as 'The Congregation of Saint Gabriel Roman Catholic Church' for 500 years.
- Rev. Vincent Isidore Kleinpeter1942–1962
Believed a new church was needed but the old one should be preserved; oversaw the dedication of the new St. Gabriel Church on April 19, 1953.
- Monsignor Louis Marionneaux
Listed among the most recent dedicated clergy who served the parish.
- Rev. Gerald Lefebvre
Among the recent pastors named on the parish history page.
- Rev. Jon Koehler
Among the recent pastors named on the parish history page.
- Rev. Robert Marcell
Among the recent pastors named on the parish history page.
- Rev. Rubin Reynolds
Early supervisor of the Parish Hall project that became reality in 2002.
- Rev. Anthony 'Tony' Russo
Led completion and March 2004 dedication of the Parish Activity Center.
- Rev. Albert L. BlountAssigned June 2025–present
Current pastor; also serves Vocations Office and Catholic High School.