About St. Genevieve · Lafayette, Louisiana
St. Genevieve Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Lafayette, Louisiana, and one of the oldest active parishes in the Diocese of Lafayette. Located on East Simcoe Street near downtown, it was originally founded as a chapel-of-ease for the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and grew into an independent parish on February 1, 1929, under the pioneering Dutch-born Monsignor William J. Teurlings. Today it is a Eucharist-centered community serving a diverse congregation with five weekend Masses, daily liturgy, a robust Parish School of Religion program, two Catholic schools, Calvary Cemetery, and dozens of parish organizations including the long-running Ladies Altar Society and Msgr. Teurlings Council 3202 of the Knights of Columbus.
- Established
- 1925 (chapel blessed June 25, 1925); became independent parish February 1, 1929
- Patron
- St. Genevieve of Paris (5th-century patroness and protector of Paris)
- Rector
- Fr. Brian Taylor
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
Why belong here
St. Genevieve offers a rare combination of deep Catholic heritage and active parish life: it is one of the oldest active parishes in the Diocese of Lafayette, with a Eucharistic-centered identity and a pastor and two deacons who serve a congregation with five weekend Masses and daily liturgy. Families find a full faith-formation track through the Parish School of Religion (PSR), sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, and Catholic schools (St. Genevieve Elementary and Middle School, plus nearby Teurlings Catholic High School). The parish also sustains century-old lay communities — the Ladies Altar Society (founded by Monsignor Teurlings himself), Msgr. Teurlings Knights of Columbus Council 3202 (since 1948), an active music ministry under director Jodi Bollich, the Missionaries of Charity apostolate on Seafood Lane, and Calvary Cemetery — making it a place where generations worship, are formed, and serve together.
Mass times at St. Genevieve
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 11:10 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
- Saturday: 3:00 – 3:45 p.m.
- Saturday: 5:10 – 5:45 p.m.
- Sunday: 7:10 – 7:45 a.m.
- Sunday: 9:10 – 9:45 a.m.
- Sunday: 11:10 – 11:45 a.m.
About St. Genevieve Catholic Church
St. Genevieve Catholic Church, located at 417 East Simcoe Street in Lafayette, Louisiana, is one of the oldest active parishes in the Diocese of Lafayette. Its stated mission is to be an Eucharist-centered community that proclaims the Gospel of Jesus and His Real Presence in the Eucharist, challenges one another to grow in holiness, welcomes those interested in learning about the faith, invites all to worship, and joins with other churches and community groups in comforting the sick, suffering, lonely, and less fortunate. The parish looks to the Father with thanksgiving, professing hope in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Eucharist-centered Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
- Five weekend Masses and weekday liturgy
- Full parish staff: pastor, two deacons, religious-education director, music director, liturgical coordinator, bookkeeper, cemetery director, and rectory operations
Parish History
St. Genevieve began in 1925 as a chapel-of-ease to the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, founded by Dutch-born Monsignor William J. Teurlings with a $15,000 gift from benefactor Henry Lastrapes. It became an independent parish on February 1, 1929. Over the decades it has grown physically (1938 church expansion, Mystical Rose Hall, new middle-school complex) and pastorally, with the founding of schools, sodalities, the Knights of Columbus Council 3202, the Ladies Altar Society, and a Missionaries of Charity apostolate on Seafood Lane. The parish celebrated its Golden Anniversary in 1979 and burned its mortgage the same year.
- Chapel blessed June 25, 1925 — third Catholic church in Lafayette
- Independent parish established February 1, 1929
- Church enlarged to present size in 1938
- Golden Anniversary celebrated February 1, 1979
- Mortgage paid in full August 6, 1979
The Founding Father: Monsignor W.J. Teurlings
William Teurlings was born on January 27, 1872 in Tilburg, Holland, to Cornelius Teurlings and Frances Mulders. Trained at the American College in Louvain, Belgium, he was ordained by Archbishop Francis Janssens of New Orleans — a fellow Dutchman — and arrived in the Attakapas country of southwest Louisiana to work as an assistant pastor. He served in Abbeville, then in a sprawling 40-mile rural parish out of Washington, St. Landry Parish, establishing chapels in Grand Prairie, Whiteville, Dossman, and Melville, and persuading the Sisters of Mount Carmel to open a convent school in Washington. He went on to found St. Paul parish for African American Catholics in Lafayette in 1911, to build the new St. John's Cathedral in a Dutch Romanesque style with architect A. Cousin, and to found St. Genevieve as his last great project. He died December 28, 1957.
- Born Tilburg, Holland, January 27, 1872
- Studied at the American College in Louvain, Belgium
- Founded St. Paul Church in Lafayette (1911) and the new St. John Cathedral
- First pastor of St. Genevieve (1929–1957)
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Genevieve is led by its pastor and is served by two deacons and a substantial lay staff handling faith formation, liturgy, music, finance, rectory operations, and the parish cemetery.
- Fr. Brian Taylor — Pastor; phone (337) 234-5147
- Deacon Kyle Faber
- Deacon Art Bakeler
- Ms. Gina C. Breaux — Bulletin Editor / Bookkeeper / Calvary Cemetery Secretary
- Mrs. Nicole Osmer — Director of Religious Education
- Mrs. Agnes Malveaux — Liturgical Coordinator / Church Sacristan / Minister to the Sick Coordinator
- Mrs. Jodi Bollich — Music Director / Organist / Choir Director
- Mr. Paul Hebert — Guitarist
- Mr. Blane Matherne — Director of Rectory Operations
- Mr. Patrick R. Spears — Calvary Cemetery Director
Parish School of Religion & Faith Formation
The Parish School of Religion (PSR) assists parents in educating their children in the Catholic faith. It is open to non-Catholic-school students from kindergarten through 11th grade and includes sacramental preparation for Reconciliation/First Communion and Confirmation. Registration is required for any child to receive sacraments. The parish stresses that 'nothing can replace the role of parents, grandparents, and other family members as primary teachers of the faith,' and offers intergenerational events throughout the year so parents and children can celebrate and learn together.
- PSR classes K–11
- Sacramental preparation: Reconciliation and First Communion
- Sacramental preparation: Confirmation
- Intergenerational faith events throughout the year
Catholic Schools
St. Genevieve Parish has long been associated with Catholic education. Monsignor Teurlings campaigned for a parish Catholic school, and his successor Fr. Charles B. Fortier built Teurlings Catholic High School at its present Teurlings Drive location. Today the parish campus includes St. Genevieve Elementary School and St. Genevieve Middle School (the latter built during Fr. Jody Simoneaux's pastorate in the 1996–2007 era).
- St. Genevieve Elementary School
- St. Genevieve Middle School
- Teurlings Catholic High School (on Teurlings Drive)
Lay Organizations & Ministries
Many of the parish's lay societies were founded by Monsignor Teurlings himself and continue today. The Ladies Altar Society meets after the 8:00 a.m. Mass on the second Sunday of each month (except in summer), cares for the altar, linens, and Holy Water fonts, recites the Rosary at funerals of members and their immediate family, and maintains a prayer line. The Knights of Columbus Council 3202 was chartered December 10, 1948 with seventy-seven founding members, later renamed the Right Reverend Monsignor W.J. Teurlings Council 3202, and currently has 184 members including 30 Honorary Life members.
- Ladies Altar Society
- Knights of Columbus — Msgr. Teurlings Council 3202 (founded December 10, 1948)
- Ushers' Society
- Holy Name Society
- Altar Boys' Society
- Sodality
- Apostleship of Prayer
- Music Ministry (Choir & Guitar)
- Minister to the Sick
Outreach: The Missionaries of Charity
During Fr. Joseph F. Brennan's pastorate (1982–1996), the Missionaries of Charity — the religious order founded by St. Teresa of Kolkata — joined the parish in service to the less fortunate in the bayou area of the parish known as Seafood Lane, where a chapel was established. This remains a distinctive element of St. Genevieve's apostolic life.
- Missionaries of Charity chapel on Seafood Lane
- Outreach to the less fortunate in the bayou area
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical preparation is led by Mrs. Agnes Malveaux, who serves as Liturgical Coordinator, Church Sacristan, and Minister to the Sick Coordinator. The music ministry is directed by Mrs. Jodi Bollich (Director of Music, Organist, and Choir Director), supported by guitarist Mr. Paul Hebert. The parish website notes that the current church interior features colorful stained glass and white-plaster designs with round arches.
- Liturgical Coordinator & Sacristan: Agnes Malveaux
- Music Director / Organist / Choir Director: Jodi Bollich
- Guitarist: Paul Hebert
Calvary Cemetery
The parish operates Calvary Cemetery, with administration handled by Ms. Gina C. Breaux (Bookkeeper / Cemetery Secretary) and overall direction by Mr. Patrick R. Spears (Calvary Cemetery Director).
- Calvary Cemetery Director: Patrick R. Spears
- Cemetery Secretary: Gina C. Breaux
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone or in person during the listed office hours. There is an after-hours emergency line that plays recorded instructions.
- Address: 417 East Simcoe Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
- Phone: (337) 234-5147
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; closed Fridays; closed for lunch Noon – 1:15 p.m.
- After Hours Emergency: 337-234-5147 (wait for instructions)
- Website: http://www.stgens.net/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor William J. Teurlings1929–1957
Dutch-born founding pastor; blessed chapel June 25, 1925; became first resident pastor February 1, 1929; expanded the church in 1938, paid off the debt in nine years, founded schools, sodalities, and the parish's Knights of Columbus council; died December 28, 1957.
- Father Charles B. Fortier
Canadian-born successor; built Teurlings Catholic High School at its present Teurlings Drive location and replaced the first rectory.
- Monsignor Rudolph Arlanti
Native of Italy and former chancellor of the Diocese of Lafayette; firm supporter of parish activities and the two schools.
- Monsignor Alexander O. Sigur
First native-born priest to serve as pastor; later called to be rector of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.
- Monsignor Charles Marin
Native of the Diocese; later named Vicar for Clergy by Bishop Frey.
- Reverend Jerome Frey
Of the Society of Mary (Marianist) and brother of Bishop Gerard L. Frey; sixth pastor and first religious priest to lead the parish; served with co-pastors Fr. William B. Havenar and Fr. Rex Broussard.
- Reverend Floyd J. Calaisfrom February 4, 1977
Seventh pastor; succeeded the Marianist ministerial team.
- Father Joseph F. Brennan1982–1996 (over 14 years)
Welcomed the Missionaries of Charity, who established a chapel at Seafood Lane in the bayou area; paved the church parking lot and built Mystical Rose Hall.
- Father Jody Simoneaux1996–2007
Undertook renovation and expansion of the Teurlings High School campus and built the new St. Genevieve Middle School complex.
- Father W. Curtis Mallet, JCLfrom July 2, 2007
Tenth pastor; assumed office after three years of canon-law studies in Rome.
- Fr. Brian Taylorcurrent
Present pastor; listed on the parish website and the Diocese of Lafayette clergy page.