About St. John Vianney · Bell City, Louisiana
St. John Vianney Catholic Church is a rural parish in Bell City, Louisiana, located on Highway 14 East in the southeastern portion of Calcasieu Civil Parish. Officially established in 1939 by Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard of the Diocese of Lafayette, it serves the communities of Bell City, Hayes, Holmwood, and portions of Sweetlake and South Lake Charles. Today the parish is part of the Diocese of Lake Charles (created January 1980) and is shepherded by Rev. Paul D'Sa, MOC, installed July 1, 2023. The parish continues to operate a Catholic school of faith formation (PREP), an OCIA program for adult initiation, the Sodality of St. John Vianney altar servers, and the long-standing Bell City Knights of Columbus Council 3048.
- Established
- 1939
- Patron
- St. John Vianney
- Rector
- Rev. Paul D'Sa, MOC
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lake Charles
Why belong here
St. John Vianney is a small, multi-generational rural parish where the same families have tended the Altar Society, the Knights of Columbus Council 3048, and the parish PREP program for generations. The church offers the full rhythm of Catholic life — daily Mass multiple days a week, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, First Friday and First Saturday devotions, weekly Confession, a Tuesday rosary, an OCIA program for adults, and a parish religious education program (PREP) for students in grades 1–11. With a dedicated pastor, a published mission to bring the Word and faith of Jesus Christ to the community, and a century-deep network of ministries across Bell City, Hayes, and Holmwood, the parish is a welcoming place both for long-time country Catholics and for new neighbors.
Mass times at St. John Vianney
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Weekdays — 6:30–6:50 AM (before daily Mass)
- Saturday — 3:15–3:45 PM
- Sunday — 6:45–7:15 AM and 8:45–9:15 AM
Adoration times
- First Friday — 8:00 AM Adoration following Mass
- First Saturday — 7:30 AM
- Sunday — 8:15–9:15 AM between Masses
- First Thursday — Eucharistic Adoration begins 5:30 PM, Mass at 6:30 PM
- First Friday — Eucharistic Adoration begins 5:30 PM, Mass at 6:30 PM
Parish History
St. John Vianney Parish was officially established in 1939 by the Most Reverend Jules B. Jeanmard, Bishop of Lafayette, in the predominantly agricultural southeastern corner of Calcasieu Civil Parish. The founding pastor, Rev. Mathias J. Cramers, had arrived in April 1938 and oversaw construction of the rectory (1939) and the new church (groundbreaking August 8, 1940; dedicated by Bishop Jeanmard on December 1, 1940). The parish originally grew out of mission territory served from Jennings (records from 1892), Welsh (1904), and Iowa (1930), and out of a small St. Joseph Chapel built about 1900 in the Lorrain Community that was destroyed by a storm in 1939. In 1950 Rev. Daniel Habetz succeeded Father Cramers and built St. Daniel Chapel in Hayes (dedicated April 16, 1953) as a mission of the parish. The church was renovated in 1981, the rectory was enlarged, and the parish marked its 75th anniversary with a Mass of Thanksgiving on May 31, 2015.
- Established 1939 by Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard
- Founding pastor: Rev. Mathias J. Cramers (April 1938)
- Rectory completed August 1939; church groundbreaking August 8, 1940; dedicated December 1, 1940
- First trustees: Ferdinand Nunez and Harry Verret
- St. Daniel Chapel in Hayes built 1950–1953 under Rev. Habetz; closed 2004
- Church renovated 1981; 75th anniversary Mass May 31, 2015
Pastor and Staff
Rev. Paul D'Sa, MOC, was installed as pastor of St. John Vianney on July 1, 2023. He leads a small parish staff that includes Ryland Leger as Religious Education Administrator and Youth Minister, Liz Starr as Bookkeeper, and three office staff members: Charlotte Hartwell, Jackie Estabrook, and Cindy Bailey. The parish office is open Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
- Rev. Paul D'Sa, MOC — Pastor
- Ryland Leger — Religious Ed Admin & Youth Minister (337-452-9490)
- Liz Starr — Bookkeeper
- Charlotte Hartwell, Jackie Estabrook, Cindy Bailey — Office Staff
Devotions and Rosary
Beyond the Mass schedule, St. John Vianney fosters several traditional devotions. The parish gathers for a Tuesday morning rosary, prays the rosary before Saturday Vigil and the second Sunday Mass, and observes the First Saturday devotion with a 7:30 AM Mass in honor of Mother Mary.
- Tuesday Rosary — 9:00 AM
- Saturday Rosary — 3:35 PM (before Vigil Mass)
- Sunday Rosary — 9:05 AM
- First Saturday Mass in honor of Mother Mary — 7:30 AM
- First Thursday & First Friday Adoration with Mass
Faith Formation — PREP
The Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) is St. John Vianney's parish school of religious instruction, serving students in grades 1 through 11 on Wednesday evenings during the school year. The parish notes that registration has grown to the point that two time slots are needed — a 'blessing to our community.' Tuition is $50 for the first student and $40 for each additional student.
- Grades 1–5: Wednesdays 5:30–6:30 PM
- Grades 6–11: Wednesdays 6:45–7:45 PM
- PREP starts Wednesday, September 10 (2025–2026 year)
- Contact: Ryland Leger — 337-452-9490
- Fees: $50 first student, $40 each additional
Adult Initiation — OCIA
The parish OCIA program (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) welcomes adults in need of Baptism, Christians from other traditions seeking full communion, baptized Catholics preparing for First Communion and/or Confirmation, Catholics who want to deepen their faith, and adults willing to serve as sponsors. The parish notes that participation does not obligate anyone to become Catholic.
- Contact: Margo Hoffpauir — 337-529-0504
- Open to unbaptized adults, other Christians, and baptized Catholics
Parish Ministries and Organizations
St. John Vianney has two long-standing parish organizations whose purpose is to support the church and its mission, plus a new altar-server sodality. The Bell City Knights of Columbus Council 3048 was chartered April 9, 1957, with Matthew Fruge as charter Grand Knight. The St. John Vianney Ladies Altar Society brings together the historic Bell City Ladies Altar Society (organized 1905, first president Mrs. Dulva Derouen) and the Hayes Ladies Altar Society (organized 1952, first president Mrs. Elias Lorrain). The Sodality of St. John Vianney, led by Andre Ange, recruits and trains altar servers; interested youth can sign up at the back of the church and join the GroupMe communication group.
- Bell City Knights of Columbus Council 3048 (chartered 1957)
- St. John Vianney Ladies Altar Society (roots to 1905)
- Sodality of St. John Vianney — Altar Servers (led by Andre Ange)
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Parish Financial Council
- Parish youth groups
Sacraments
St. John Vianney celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. The parish website groups them according to the USCCB catechetical framework: the Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), the Sacraments of Healing (Penance & Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick), and the Sacraments at the Service of Communion (Holy Orders, Matrimony). Families are invited to contact the parish office for preparation information.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (First Communion)
- Penance & Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
- Matrimony
Visiting and Getting Involved
Newcomers and visitors are welcomed warmly. The parish's 'I'm New Here' page answers the practical questions — where to park, where the church is, and what to expect at Mass. Children are always welcome; the parish notes that there is no cry room. Registration, online giving, and bulletin information are all available through the parish office, which is open Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
- Parking: north lot of the church (handicap and compact spots available)
- Children always welcome at Mass
- Parish office: Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Online giving and registration available via website
Contact and Location
St. John Vianney Catholic Church is located just off Highway 14 East in Bell City, Louisiana, in the southeastern portion of Calcasieu Civil Parish. The mailing address is P.O. Box 10, Bell City, LA 70630. The parish shares its grounds with the rectory to the east of the church, a catechism center, and parish halls in Bell City and (historically) Hayes.
- Address: 7120 Hwy 14 East, Bell City, LA 70630
- Mailing: P.O. Box 10, Bell City, LA 70630
- Parish phone: 337-965-6724
- Office phone: 337-391-1328
- Emergency phone: 337-549-3563
- Email: [email protected]
- Diocese: Diocese of Lake Charles
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Mathias J. Cramers1939–1950
Founding pastor; arrived April 1938, built rectory (1939) and church (groundbreaking Aug. 8, 1940; dedicated Dec. 1, 1940).
- Rev. Daniel Habetz1950–1958
Built and dedicated St. Daniel Chapel in Hayes (April 16, 1953) as a mission of the parish.
- Rev. A. W. Van Buijtenen1958–1967
- Rev. Fernand N. Gouaux1967–1969
- Rev. Rosaire Veilleux1969–1973
- Rev. Francis Bourgeois1973–1977
- Rev. Robert L. Shreve1977–1985
- Rev. Roland Vaughn1985–1991
- Rev. Milton P. Miller1991–1993
- Rev. John A. Poerio1993–1999
- Rev. V. Wayne LeBleu1999–~2008
Led a 375-family parish; ~250 students in K–12 religious instruction by 2000.
- Rev. Albert W. Boreluntil June 30, 2008
Transferred to St. John Bosco in Westlake on June 30, 2008.
- Rev. Alan Trouille
Served between Rev. LeBleu and Rev. Mulanjanay (per parish history).
- Rev. Augustine Mulanjanay
- Rev. Emanuel Tanu2011–2023
- Rev. Paul D'Sa, MOC2023–present
Installed as pastor on July 1, 2023.