About St. George · Baton Rouge, Louisiana
St. George Catholic Church is a large, historic parish in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, situated in the Diocese of Baton Rouge and recognized as the second-oldest Catholic parish in East Baton Rouge Parish (after St. Joseph Cathedral). The parish traces its origins to a small wooden chapel built on land donated in 1885 by the widow of George Kleinpeter, and was formally established in 1908. Today St. George serves as the second-largest parish in the diocese, with a 1,200-seat cruciform church opened in March 2017, an active school that began in 1960, a cemetery, and a robust network of ministries serving English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics in the southern part of the city.
- Established
- 1908
- Patron
- St. George
- Rector
- Rev. Ju H. "Paul" Yi
- Diocese
- Diocese of Baton Rouge
Why belong here
St. George is a vibrant, large parish rooted in more than a century of Catholic tradition in south Baton Rouge, where parishioners are deeply involved in social justice and outreach to the poor and vulnerable. With daily and Sunday Mass in both English and Spanish, a strong Catholic school, an OCIA/RCIA process, extensive faith formation for children and youth, and dozens of ministries — including St. Vincent de Paul, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, Prison Ministry at Angola, Habitat for Humanity, Respect Life, and bereavement support — there are abundant ways to grow in faith and serve others in community.
Mass times at St. George
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 6:45 AM to 7:00 AM
- Tuesday: 6:45 AM to 7:00 AM
- Wednesday: 11:30 AM to 11:50 AM
- Thursday: 6:45 AM to 7:00 AM
- Friday: 6:45 AM to 7:00 AM
- Saturday: 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Adoration times
- Adoration listed on the parish Mass & Confession Times page (specific schedule not detailed in available sources)
Our History
St. George Catholic Church traces its beginnings to a small wooden chapel built on land donated in 1885 by the widow of George Kleinpeter, a prominent early Baton Rouge landowner. By 1891 it appeared as a chapel and school in the Archdiocese of New Orleans directories, served as a mission of St. Joseph Church. In 1907 Father Alex Chasles was assigned, and in 1908 the parish was formally listed with Father P.C. Cambiaire as its first resident priest. The early priests endured real hardship — no running water, hunting and gardening for food — while the wooden chapel grew with the congregation. Through the 1950s and 1960s the parish purchased 19 adjoining acres, built a temporary church, and launched its school in 1960. After remodeling, that structure served as the main worship space until the present 1,200-seat cruciform Gothic-inspired church opened in March 2017.
- 1885: Chapel land donated by the widow of George Kleinpeter.
- By 1891: Listed as a chapel and school in Archdiocese of New Orleans directories.
- 1907: Father Alex Chasles assigned to St. George from St. Joseph.
- 1908: Formally established as a parish with Father P.C. Cambiaire as first resident priest.
- 1950s–1960s: 19 additional adjoining acres purchased; temporary church built.
- 1960: Parish school program begins.
- 1988: Remodeled temporary church becomes primary worship space.
- March 2017: New 1,200-seat cruciform church opens.
The New Church Building (2017)
The current St. George Church opened its doors in March 2017 and was designed by Grace Hebert Architects and built by Milton J. Womack, Inc. It is cruciform in shape, with a long nave and transepts forming the cross, and incorporates elements of Gothic architecture — a style that originated in northern France and spread throughout Europe between the 12th and 16th centuries. The artistic themes of wood, stone, glass and tiling are carefully integrated, with wood beams highlighting an arched ceiling reaching 55 feet. The church seats 1,200.
- Architect: Grace Hebert Architects
- Builder: Milton J. Womack, Inc.
- Style: Cruciform with Gothic elements
- Seating capacity: 1,200
- Ceiling height: 55 feet
- Opened: March 2017
Clergy & Staff
St. George is currently led by Pastor Rev. Ju H. 'Paul' Yi, with two parochial vicars — Rev. Nutan Sylvester Minj, IMS, and Rev. Akhilesh Antony, IMS — and three deacons assisting the parish: Deacon Glenn Farnet, Deacon Terry Bellon, and Deacon Billy Francioni.
- Rev. Ju H. 'Paul' Yi — Pastor
- Rev. Nutan Sylvester Minj, IMS — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Akhilesh Antony, IMS — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Glenn Farnet
- Deacon Terry Bellon
- Deacon Billy Francioni
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
St. George supports lifelong formation from preschool through adulthood. Religious Education Catechists serve preschool through grade 11, with substitute and aide opportunities at every level. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — formerly RCIA — welcomes those exploring the Catholic faith. The High School Confirmation Team prepares teens for the sacrament, while youth ministry gathers middle school (grades 6–8) and high school (grades 9–12) students several times a month for faith, small groups, games, and service. Vacation Bible School is offered in the summer, and retreat assistants help with the First Reconciliation Retreat.
- OCIA: The Catechumenate (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Religious Education Catechists — Elementary, Junior High, Senior High, and substitutes/aides
- High School Confirmation Team
- Middle School Youth Group (grades 6–8)
- High School Youth Group (grades 9–12)
- Vacation Bible School (VBS)
- Retreat Assistants (e.g., First Reconciliation Retreat)
School (St. George School)
St. George Catholic School began as part of the parish in 1960 and continues today as a faith-centered elementary school. The school partners with the parish in stewardship and service projects, including monthly efforts like letters to homebound parishioners, Thanksgiving food baskets for St. Vincent de Paul, toiletries for the Bishop Ott Center, the St. Jude 'Sock It to Childhood Cancer' drive, a Lenten Food Drive for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, 'Bucks for Bikes' with the Advent Giving Tree, Catholic Schools Week donations to Catholic Charities, and Fair baskets for the parish/school fair.
- School program began 1960
- Letters to homebound parishioners
- Thanksgiving food baskets to SVDP
- Toiletries for Bishop Ott Center
- St. Jude 'Sock It to Childhood Cancer' drive
- Lenten Food Drive for Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
- 'Bucks for Bikes' with Advent Giving Tree
- Catholic Schools Week — kitchen supplies for Catholic Charities
- Annual Fair basket contributions
Social Responsibility & Outreach
St. George parishioners have a strong belief in social justice and coordinate an active outreach program to serve the poor and vulnerable and to work for change. The parish runs ministries through St. Vincent de Paul, which maintains a food pantry on St. George's campus; Prison Ministry, which travels monthly to the men at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola; Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge; the Interfaith Federation; and the Respect Life Committee. Bereavement, Elizabeth Ministry (parenthood support), Ribbon Angels (cancer support), Angels of Hope (pregnancy/infant loss), and Dragon's Den (illness or difficult moments) walk with parishioners through life's hardest moments, while the Advent Giving Tree brings Christmas blessings to the poor and needy in Baton Rouge.
- St. Vincent de Paul (on-campus food pantry)
- Prison Ministry — monthly visits to Angola (incl. Death Row)
- Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge
- Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge — Holy Grill meals (Aug & March)
- Respect Life Committee (Oct & Jan emphasis)
- Bereavement Ministry
- Elizabeth Ministry (parenthood support)
- Ribbon Angels (cancer support)
- Angels of Hope (pregnancy/infant loss)
- Dragon's Den (illness/difficult moments)
- Advent Giving Tree
- Long Term Care Facilities Visitation
Parish Life & Community
Parish life at St. George is supported by fraternal and fellowship organizations that bind the community together, including the Knights of Columbus Council #4030 — which provides coffee and donuts once a month after the 7:30 and 9:30 AM Masses and offers scholarships — and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, whose St. George Court hosts the annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa and supports the Bishop Ott Shelter, SVDP, and national CDA projects. The Men's Club hosts BBQ, jambalaya, and fish fry fundraisers and tends to maintenance at the school and parish. Reception, Bakers, and Photography/Video volunteers serve First Eucharist, Confirmation, OCIA receptions, and other events.
- Knights of Columbus Council #4030
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA)
- Men's Club (BBQ, jambalaya, fish fry fundraisers; workdays Sep–May)
- Reception Committee
- Bakers
- Auction Committee
- Fair Committee (annual fall Fair)
- Photographer / Video Photographer volunteers
Spiritual Life & Music
Beyond the Mass schedule, St. George offers Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound, Hospitals, and Long-Term Care Facilities — volunteers are commissioned as Extraordinary Ministers and visit weekly (homebound) or monthly (facilities). The Prayer Blanket Ministry sews, crochets, and quilts blankets for parishioners facing serious illness; these are blessed at Mass before distribution. The parish also supports a Music Ministry that enriches liturgy.
- Eucharistic Ministry to Homebound, Hospitals, and Long-Term Care
- Prayer Blanket Ministry (blessed at Mass)
- Music Ministry
- Adoration (listed on parish schedule)
Cemetery & Facilities
St. George maintains a parish cemetery and mausoleum on its campus. A Cemetery Committee assists with long-range planning for the perpetual care of the cemetery and mausoleum, meeting semi-annually.
- Cemetery and mausoleum on parish campus
- Cemetery Committee — meets semi-annually for long-range planning
Administration & Stewardship
The Administration commission develops and implements parish stewardship programs in ministry, finance, and prayer. The Parish Finance Council is a consultative group of parishioners with finance and business expertise and meets quarterly. The Auction Committee plans the parish's annual online and live auction each winter, while the Fair Committee coordinates the annual fall fair benefiting St. George Church and School.
- Finance Council (meets quarterly)
- Auction Committee (annual winter event)
- Fair Committee (annual fall fair)
- Cemetery Committee (semi-annual)
Contact & Visiting
The parish office is located at 7808 St. George Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the office closed for lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. daily. The office phone is (225) 293-2212 and the fax is (225) 291-8063.
- Address: 7808 St. George Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
- Office Phone: (225) 293-2212
- Fax: (225) 291-8063
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Fri 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Lunch closure: 12:30 p.m.–1:00 p.m. daily
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Alex Chasles1907
Assigned from St. Joseph as the first priest of St. George before it became a parish.
- Father P.C. Cambiaire1908
First resident priest when St. George was listed as a parish in 1908.