About St. Landry · Opelousas, Louisiana
St. Landry Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Opelousas, Louisiana, known as the 'Mother Church of Acadiana' because more parishes have been carved out from it than from any other in Southwest Louisiana. Founded in the 1770s by French Capuchin friars, it is the second-oldest parish in the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana and is perhaps the most celebrated Catholic parish west of the Mississippi River. The current cathedral-size church, the third building on the site, was completed in 1909 and is one of the finest examples of Romanesque Revival architecture in Louisiana. The parish is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and continues to serve its community through Mass, the sacraments, perpetual adoration, faith formation, and outreach to the needy.
- Established
- 1776
- Patron
- Saint Landry the Confessor (Bishop of Paris, 650–661) and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Fr. Neil Pettit
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
Why belong here
St. Landry Catholic Church offers the fullness of Catholic life in the heart of historic Opelousas — daily and Sunday Mass, generous confession times, and a perpetual adoration chapel where parishioners can sign up for a holy hour. The parish supports homebound ministry, communion visits to Heritage Manor Nursing Facility, the New Life Center for women and children, the Lighthouse Mission for homeless men, and an ICONS Food Bank, and is one of the five owner parishes of Opelousas Catholic School. Faith formation flourishes here through Come, Lord Jesus! groups, bible study, 'That Man is You,' retreats at Our Lady of the Oaks in Grand Coteau, the Catholic Daughters, and the Knights of Columbus — all set against the backdrop of one of Louisiana's most beautiful historic churches.
Mass times at St. Landry
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Weekdays: 30 minutes before Mass
- Saturdays: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Sundays: 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration available (parishioners can sign up for a holy hour through the parish website)
Parish History
Catholic life in the Opelousas Post dates to 1756 and the parish was officially founded by French Capuchin friars in 1770 (the diocese recognizes 1776). The current cathedral-size building, the third on the elevated site, was completed in 1909, designed by T. George Chachere and Owen & Diboll of New Orleans, with stained glass by German artisan Emil Frei. To date, 33 pastors have served the parish.
- 1756 — first recorded Catholic ritual (baptism by Fr. Pierre Didier)
- 1770 — founded as La Iglesia Parroquial de la Immaculada Concepción del Puesto de Opeluzas (diocese founding date 1776)
- 1792 — renamed 'Parish Church of St. Landry'
- 1796–98 — relocated to current elevated site; gift of 134 arpents from Michel Prudhomme and Madame Tesson
- 1827–28 — brick church built and dedicated
- 1854 — impressive steeple added
- 1855 — Brothers Gilbert and François Raymond found Opelousas' first Catholic school
- 1863 — Civil War devastation; Federal troops camp around the church
- 1901 — Archbishop Blenk approves plans for a new church
- 1908 — cornerstone laid (Aug. 8)
- 1909 — present church completed; dedicated by Archbishop Blenk on April 7
- 1918 — Fr. John Engberink dies; Msgr. A. B. Colliard succeeds
- 1963 — major renovation (A/C, sound, altars removed)
- 1982 — placed on National Register of Historic Places (May 5)
Our Patron, St. Landry
The patron saints of the parish are Saint Landry the Confessor and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Saint Landry (also 'Landericus') was consecrated Bishop of Paris in 650 and served until his death in 661. He is famous for selling his possessions — even sacred vessels — to feed the poor during the famine of 650–51, founding the Hôtel-Dieu de Paris hospital in 651, and overseeing construction of the original church of St-Germain l'Auxerrois. His feast day is celebrated on June 10. The civil Parish of St. Landry and the City of Opelousas also bear his name.
- Bishop of Paris 650–661
- Founded the Hôtel-Dieu de Paris (651)
- Feast Day: June 10
- Patron of the parish, the civil parish, and the City of Opelousas
Mission Statement & Community Outreach
St. Landry Catholic Church describes itself as 'a community of the faithful that serves God and our neighbors by coming to know and love more deeply Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,' accomplished through the study of Sacred Scripture, the seven sacraments, and imitation of Christ in faith, hope, and charity. Outreach flows directly from this mission.
- Homebound Ministry — extraordinary ministers bring Holy Communion to those unable to attend Mass
- Heritage Manor Nursing Facility — weekly Communion visits
- New Life Center (women and children) — supported through the Knights of Columbus monthly breakfast and parish support
- Lighthouse Mission (homeless men)
- ICONS Food Bank
- Opelousas Catholic School — one of five owner parishes
Architecture & Historic Designation
As one of the largest churches in the Diocese of Lafayette, St. Landry is one of the finest examples of Romanesque Revival in Louisiana. Its exterior is a Gothic form with Romanesque motifs while the interior is Romanesque, based on the basilican plan. Most prominent on the exterior are the octagonal turrets and the large main tower that houses the bell 'Immaculate Conception,' which still rings. Inside, the barrel-vaulted nave, arcade of massive Corinthian columns, and Emil Frei stained-glass windows are the dominant features. The church and cemetery were placed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 5, 1982.
- Architects: T. George Chachere and Owen & Diboll of New Orleans
- Stained glass: Emil Frei (German artisan)
- Style: Romanesque Revival (Gothic exterior)
- Bell: 'Immaculate Conception'
- NRHP #82004675 — listed May 5, 1982
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates all seven sacraments, with registration and information forms published on the parish website. Pastoral staff are available to help families prepare for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and the Anointing of the Sick, and confession is offered before every Mass.
- Baptism
- First Communion / First Penance
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Holy Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education at St. Landry reaches children, teens, and adults. Registration forms for First Penance & First Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, and general Religious Education are available online. Adults grow through the Come, Lord Jesus! scripture groups (Tuesdays 6 PM and Wednesdays 5:15 PM), a formal bible study (Mondays 10 AM and 6 PM with the deacons), and 'That Man is You' for men (Wednesdays 6 AM).
- First Penance & First Holy Eucharist Registration
- Confirmation Registration
- Religious Education Registration
- Come, Lord Jesus! groups (Tues 6 PM, Wed 5:15 PM)
- Bible Study (Mon 10 AM & 6 PM, led by Deacons Joubert and Diesi)
- 'That Man is You' men's program (Wed 6 AM, Deacon Joubert)
Parish Life, Fraternal & Service Organizations
Parishioners put faith into action through a strong network of fraternal and charitable organizations. The Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters are particularly active, including the Knights' monthly breakfast at the New Life Center, and the Altar Society handles the church's seasonal decoration, coordinated by Deacon Joubert and Jane Savoy.
- Catholic Daughters
- Knights of Columbus
- Altar Society (coordinated by Deacon Joubert and Jane Savoy)
Liturgical Ministries & Music
Volunteers serve as lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, servers, and sacristans at every liturgy. Music is led by the parish's Director of Sacred Music, Abigail Caffery, with an Adult Choir and a Youth Choir contributing to liturgies year-round.
- Director of Sacred Music: Abigail Caffery
- Adult Choir
- Youth Choir
- Lectors / Readers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Altar Servers
- Sacristans
Pastoral Staff
The current pastoral team includes the pastor, a pastoral associate, two permanent deacons, parish secretaries, and directors of sacred music and youth ministry.
- Pastor: Fr. Neil Pettit
- Deacon Dwayne Joubert
- Deacon John Miller
- Bookkeeper/Secretary: Lois Joubert
- Receptionist/Secretary: Sarah Meche
- Director of Sacred Music: Abigail Caffery
- Director of Youth Ministry: Charlie O'Chery
Grounds, Cemetery & Heritage Trees
St. Landry's grounds — home to live oaks, magnolias, and cedar trees — feature the Grotto of Our Lady of Fátima and Italian artist Franco Alessandrini's monument to Fr. Verbis Lafleur. The parish cemetery, established in 1798, contains the graves of prominent local figures, including General Garrigues de Flaugeac (a French veteran of the Battle of New Orleans) and Governor Jacques Dupré (governor of Louisiana 1830–1831). As of April 3, 2021, thirteen Live Oaks on the grounds are registered with the Louisiana Live Oak Society, each named for a former pastor or significant figure in parish history.
- Grotto of Our Lady of Fátima
- Monument to Fr. Verbis Lafleur (Franco Alessandrini, sculptor)
- Cemetery established 1798
- Burials include Governor Jacques Dupré and General Garrigues de Flaugeac
- 13 Live Oaks registered with the Louisiana Live Oak Society
Visiting & Contact Information
Parishioners and visitors are welcomed at the historic church, while the parish office handles administrative needs and sacramental records requests. The church archives, housed in the old Marianites of Holy Cross convent behind the church, are a treasure trove for historians and genealogists — research requests are handled by email or written letter.
- Address: 1020 N. Main Street, Opelousas, LA 70570
- Phone: (337) 942-6552
- Office Hours: Mon 1–4 PM; Tue–Thu 8:30 AM–4 PM (closed Fri–Sun)
- Archives: sacramental records dating to the 1770s (research by email or letter only)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Friar Valentinc. 1765–
First semi-resident pastor at the Opelousas Post church house
- Friar José de Arazena, O.F.M. Cap.1785–1789
Spanish Capuchin; saved and reorganized the parish's early sacramental records
- Friar Pedro de Zamora, O.F.M. Cap.1789–1801
Oversaw the 1792 renaming to 'Parish Church of St. Landry' and the move to the current site; new church completed 1798
- Father Louis Buhot1801–
The parish's first diocesan priest
- Fr. Gilbert Raymond1855 (as pastor)
With his brother François (assistant pastor) founded Opelousas' first Catholic school; buried at the foot of the sanctuary
- Fr. François Raymond1855 (as assistant); later pastor
Co-founder of the first Catholic school in Opelousas
- Fr. John Engberinkearly 1900s–1918
Holland-born; oversaw design and construction of the present 1909 church; died 1918
- Msgr. Albert Benedict Colliard1918–1950
Served more than 30 years; completed Emil Frei stained-glass windows, statues, and main steeple; buried in the cemetery
- Fr. Joseph Verbis Lafleurserved as parish priest
Celebrated his first Mass at St. Landry; WWII chaplain; candidate for sainthood
- Monsignor Russell J. Harrington
Listed as pastor in the parish's Wikipedia article