About St. Jude the Apostle · Baton Rouge, Louisiana
St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church is a large, vibrant parish in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, established September 9, 1966 and entrusted in its early decades to the Southern Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross (C.S.C.). Located on a ten-acre campus at 9150 Highland Road in south Baton Rouge, the parish has grown from 600 founding families to roughly 3,200 families, making it one of the most culturally and economically diverse — and youngest — parishes in the diocese. Under its current pastor, Fr. Caye A. 'Trey' Nelson (in office since July 2009), the parish has completed a major church renovation (rededicated 2013 by Bishop Robert Muench), built a state-of-the-art two-story Ministry Building (2015), and supports St. Jude the Apostle School, a 2-time U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School.
- Established
- 1966
- Patron
- St. Jude the Apostle (St. Jude Thaddeus)
- Rector
- Rev. Caye A. 'Trey' Nelson
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge
Why belong here
St. Jude the Apostle is one of the youngest, most culturally and economically diverse parishes in the Diocese of Baton Rouge — almost half of parishioners are 40 or under, and the parish supports nearly 70 different ministries. A centerpiece is St. Jude the Apostle School, a 2-time National Blue Ribbon School (2020 and 2025) serving the parish's children in faith and academics. Fr. Trey Nelson and the parish staff welcome new families with open arms, livestream the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass on Facebook and YouTube, and provide daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Tuesday Novena, benediction, and an always-open Prayer Chapel for personal devotion.
Mass times at St. Jude the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 7:30 AM – 8:15 AM
- Tuesday 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
- Wednesday 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
- Thursday 7:30 AM – 8:15 AM
- By appointment with Fr. Trey Nelson (call 225-766-2431 or email [email protected])
Adoration times
- Tuesday 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (following 5:30 PM Mass, with Novena and Benediction)
- Wednesday 10:00 AM – 11:45 AM
- Prayer Chapel (Room 102, Ministry Building): Monday–Thursday 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Friday 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM (closed on holidays)
About St. Jude the Apostle Parish
St. Jude the Apostle is a Catholic parish of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, established September 9, 1966 on a ten-acre campus at the corner of Highland Road and Gardere Lane in south Baton Rouge. The parish mission is to 'instill hope in the hearts of all of our brothers and sisters by embracing one another and our diversity with a compassionate and welcoming spirit, guided by our faith in Jesus Christ and the traditions of our Catholic faith.' As of the most recent (March 2026) revision of the parish history, the parish has nearly 3,200 families and roughly 70 ministries, and is led by Pastor Fr. Trey Nelson with a staff that includes a permanent deacon, director of faith formation, communications, finance, facilities, and administration.
- Mailing/physical address: 9150 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
- Parish Office: 225-766-2431 | School Office: 225-769-2344
- Parish Office hours: Mon–Thu 8 AM–4 PM (closed 12–1 PM); Fri 8 AM–12 PM
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge
- Established September 9, 1966
Parish History
Founded by decree of the Diocese of Baton Rouge in 1966 and entrusted to the Southern Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross, St. Jude began with 600 families worshipping in the Magnolia Woods Elementary School auditorium. The Parish Hall was built first and served as church for six years before the permanent church and priest's residence were completed in late 1974. A 1992 stained-glass commission, a major 2012–13 church renovation rededicated by Bishop Robert Muench, and a new two-story Ministry Building opened just before Christmas 2015 mark the major milestones of the parish's growth.
- 1966: Parish established; 600 founding families
- 1966–1968: Mass celebrated at Magnolia Woods Elementary School auditorium
- Late 1974: Permanent church and rectory completed
- Aug 22, 1975: Altar consecrated by Msgr. Patrick Gillespie (Texas shell stone; relics of Saints Gregory, Orasius, Titus)
- 1984: Fr. Michael Collins begins 13-year pastorate
- 1992: 22 original stained-glass windows by local artist Stephen Wilson
- 1997: Fr. David Allen becomes pastor
- Summer 2012–June 30, 2013: Church renovation; rededicated by Bishop Robert Muench
- Late 2015: New two-story Ministry Building opened
- July 2009: Fr. Trey Nelson assumes pastorate
Pastorate & Clergy
Fr. Caye A. 'Trey' Nelson has served as pastor since July 2009, leading a long-range plan that produced the 2012–13 church renovation and the 2015 Ministry Building. Deacon James Morrissey serves as Director of Administration and Parish Life. The parish staff also includes Matt Conine (Director of Catechesis and Faith Formation), Mindy Coogan (Financial Assistant and Benefits Coordinator), Nathalie Bagwell (Communications Coordinator), Heidi Westerman (Receptionist and Baptism Coordinator), Alyssa Wild (Administrative Assistant), Keith Gaspard (Facilities Manager), and Ronald Comeaux (Maintenance).
- Pastor: Fr. Trey Nelson
- Deacon: James Morrissey
- Pastors who preceded Fr. Trey: Fr. Clement H. Funke, C.S.C.; Fr. Ed (Bauer, C.S.C.) and Fr. Harrell; Fr. Michael Collins (1984–1997); Fr. David Allen (1997–2009)
St. Jude the Apostle School
Founded in 1983 through the Diocese of Baton Rouge, St. Jude the Apostle School is the largest ministry of the parish and works closely with the parish to serve the academic, spiritual, and social needs of its students. The U.S. Secretary of Education recognized the school as a 2-time National Blue Ribbon School in the Exemplary High Performing Schools category in 2020 and 2025. Mrs. Michelle Gardiner serves as principal and Mrs. Laura Favaloro as assistant principal.
- Founded 1983
- 2-time National Blue Ribbon School (2020, 2025)
- Principal: Mrs. Michelle Gardiner
- Assistant Principal: Mrs. Laura Favaloro
- School website: https://stjudebr.org/
- School Office: 225-769-2344
Faith Formation & Youth
Faith formation for children attending public or private school is provided through the Parish School of Religion (PSR), which meets most Wednesdays from 6:15–7:15 PM during the school year for grades K through 10. Students in non-Catholic schools are required to attend PSR to be eligible for Confirmation.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR), K–10
- Wednesdays 6:15–7:15 PM during the school year
- Director of Catechesis and Faith Formation: Matt Conine
Youth Ministry
The parish's former office complex has been dedicated as the St. Jude Youth House, providing a dedicated space for the parish's many young parishioners and the youth group. The youth ministry participates in events such as the Steubenville South Youth Conference.
- St. Jude Youth House
- Youth Group
- Steubenville South Youth Conference
Outreach & Parish Life
St. Jude's nearly 70 ministries span outreach, fellowship, formation, and service. The St. Jude Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul serves those in need within the parish and currently seeks Spanish-speaking interpreters. Annual Vacation Bible School, the Coffee and Donuts Ministry, and other programs round out parish life.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference (seeking Spanish interpreters)
- Vacation Bible School (annual, early June)
- Coffee and Donuts Ministry
- Approximately 70 ministries parish-wide
Sacraments
Baptism preparation and coordination is handled through Parish Office receptionist and Baptism Coordinator Heidi Westerman. Confirmation preparation is delivered through the Parish School of Religion. Reconciliation is available per the published weekly schedule and by appointment. Anointing of the Sick and Marriage preparation are available by appointment with Fr. Trey Nelson.
- Baptism — Heidi Westerman, 225-766-2431
- Confirmation — via PSR
- Reconciliation — Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu per published times or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
- Marriage — by appointment with Fr. Trey
Campus, Architecture & History of the Worship Space
The parish occupies a ten-acre campus at Highland Road and Gardere Lane. The current church was completed in late 1974 and includes a Texas shell-stone altar (consecrated 1975) with relics of Saints Gregory, Orasius, and Titus; 14 linden-wood Stations of the Cross and a crucifix from Italian artists; Italian-carved statues of St. Jude, the Blessed Mother, and the Holy Family; and 22 stained-glass windows installed in 1992. A complete interior renovation completed in 2013, rededicated by Bishop Robert Muench, has been called one of the most beautiful worship spaces in the diocese.
- Ten-acre campus at Highland Rd & Gardere Ln
- Church completed late 1974
- Altar consecrated Aug 22, 1975 by Msgr. Patrick Gillespie
- 22 stained-glass windows by Stephen Wilson, 1992
- Interior renovation rededicated June 30, 2013 by Bishop Robert Muench
- Two-story Ministry Building opened late 2015
- Former office complex now the St. Jude Youth House
Stay Connected
The parish publishes a weekly bulletin and an online calendar (with special Holy Day and holiday schedules). The 9:30 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed on the parish Facebook page and YouTube channel. A weekly news page lists PSR registration, Vacation Bible School, youth events, ministry sign-ups, and more.
- Website: stjudecatholic.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/StJudeBR
- Instagram: @stjudebr
- YouTube channel: stjudebr
- Online calendar and weekly bulletin
- New Parishioner registration available on the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Clement H. Funke, C.S.C.1966–(founding pastor)
Founding pastor; first Holy Cross priest to serve in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
- Rev. Allen L. Cormier, C.S.C.Summer 1974–
First associate pastor of the parish.
- Rev. Edwin D. Bauer, C.S.C. (Fr. Ed)
Assisted by offering Sunday and Holy Day Masses; later helped lead the parish (as 'Fr. Ed' alongside 'Fr. Harrell').
- Fr. Harrell
Assumed leadership of the parish after Fr. Ed, with the early Holy Cross team.
- Rev. Michael Collins1984–1997
13-year tenure. Associate pastors included Fr. Walter Kersey, Fr. Trey Nelson, Fr. Joel LaBauve, and Fr. Duane Breaux. New rectory built on Highland Road and stained-glass windows commissioned under his pastorate.
- Rev. David AllenSummer 1997–
Succeeded Fr. Collins. Associate pastors: Fr. Michael Miceli (1997–99), then Fr. Francis Lonakutty (1999–2001).
- Rev. Caye A. 'Trey' NelsonJuly 2009–present
Current pastor; led long-range planning, the 2012–13 church renovation (rededicated June 30, 2013 by Bishop Robert Muench), and the 2015 Ministry Building.