About St. Margaret of Scotland · Lake Charles, Louisiana
St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church is a large Roman Catholic parish in Lake Charles, Louisiana, serving approximately 1,600 families in the Diocese of Lake Charles. Founded in 1945 as a mission of what is now the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the parish grew alongside St. Margaret Catholic School, which was established in 1949 by the Sisters Mariantes of the Holy Cross. Today it offers daily and Sunday Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, the full range of sacraments, a Catholic elementary school, and a wide variety of lay ministries. The current pastor is Very Reverend Nathan Long, V.F., who also serves as Dean of the North Central Deanery of the diocese.
- Established
- 1945
- Patron
- St. Margaret of Scotland
- Rector
- Very Reverend Nathan Long, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lake Charles
Why belong here
St. Margaret of Scotland is one of the largest and most established parishes in the Diocese of Lake Charles, with a long Catholic school tradition dating to 1949 and a vibrant community of lay ministers and volunteers. Daily 6:45 a.m. Mass Monday through Friday, four Sunday Masses, weekly Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration in the Holy Family Day Chapel, and a robust sacramental and faith-formation program make it a full parish home for families. New parishioners can register by contacting the parish office, and the parish uses FlockNote to keep members connected to parish news and ministry sign-ups.
Mass times at St. Margaret of Scotland
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 30 minutes before each Mass
- Monday – Friday: 6:15 a.m. – 6:40 a.m. (before daily Mass)
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 7:15 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. in the Holy Family Day Chapel
History of St. Margaret of Scotland Parish
St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church began as a small mission of what is now the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Lake Charles. The Most Reverend Jules Jeanmard, Bishop of Lafayette, established the parish in 1945 with a boundary that covered most of southern Lake Charles. The parish has grown steadily since then, and today ministers to roughly 1,628 registered families — making it one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Lake Charles. The Catholic school was added in 1949 when the Sisters Mariantes of the Holy Cross arrived to teach.
- Founded 1945 by Bishop Jules Jeanmard of Lafayette
- Originally a mission of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
- St. Margaret School founded 1949 by the Sisters Mariantes of the Holy Cross
- Today: one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Lake Charles (~1,628 families)
Pastoral Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Very Reverend Nathan Long, V.F., who also serves as Dean of the North Central Deanery of the Diocese of Lake Charles. He is assisted by a parochial vicar, two permanent deacons, and an office staff that includes a parish catechetical leader, director of music, bookkeeper, and administrative assistants.
- Pastor: Very Reverend Nathan Long, V.F.
- Parochial Vicar: Reverend Prabhakar Kowtiki, M.O.C.
- Deacon: Raymond Menard
- Deacon: Anthony Pousson
- Parish Catechetical Leader: Joan Fontenot
- Director of Music: Lee Sonnier
- Administrative Assistant: Pam Manceaux
- Receptionist / Safe Environment Coordinator / Records: Chrissy LeFranc
- Bookkeeper: Annie LeDé
Sacraments
St. Margaret celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments. Baptism is celebrated for infants typically on the second weekend of the month, with parents and godparents expected to attend Mass beforehand and to complete a diocesan Baptism Preparation Class. Confirmation is typically celebrated in the 11th grade for those baptized before age seven. Holy Matrimony is scheduled by appointment, with pre-registration and special classes required. A non-parishioner fee applies for use of the church.
- Baptism (Infant — second weekend of the month; prep class required)
- Confirmation (typically 11th grade; pre-registration required)
- Eucharist (First Communion)
- Penance / Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Matrimony (by appointment, classes required)
- Holy Orders
- Funeral Pre-planning
Baptism Preparation
All parents must register and complete a Baptism packet before scheduling a Baptism. A Baptism Preparation Class is offered at St. Margaret on the first Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Pastoral Office; call 337-439-4585 to register. Parents and godparents are expected to attend Mass prior to the Baptism.
- Class: First Monday of each month, 5:30 p.m.
- Location: Pastoral Office
- Baptisms typically celebrated the second weekend of the month
St. Margaret Catholic School
St. Margaret Catholic School has been a cornerstone of parish life since 1949, when the Sisters Mariantes of the Holy Cross arrived as teachers. Today the school, under Principal Mrs. Wendy Wicke, provides elementary education in an environment embracing Church, family, and community. In the Catholic tradition, the school strives to help its students achieve spiritual growth and academic excellence through programs emphasizing religious education, basic academic skills, art, computer, music, and physical education.
- Founded 1949 by the Sisters Mariantes of the Holy Cross
- Principal: Mrs. Wendy Wicke
- Elementary education in the Catholic tradition
- Programs include religious education, basic academics, art, computer, music, physical education
Religious Education & Faith Formation
The Saint Margaret Religious Education Program supports parish families in passing on the Catholic faith to their children, including preparation for First Eucharist and Confirmation (typically celebrated in 11th grade). Joan Fontenot serves as Parish Catechetical Leader.
- Saint Margaret Religious Education Program
- First Eucharist preparation
- Confirmation preparation (typically 11th grade)
- Parish Catechetical Leader: Joan Fontenot
Music Ministry
The parish's music ministry is directed by Lee Sonnier and supports the Sunday and daily Mass schedule, including the four Sunday Masses and 6:45 a.m. weekday Masses.
- Director of Music: Lee Sonnier
Funeral Pre-planning
The parish offers a funeral pre-planning packet so that parishioners can record their wishes in advance. Documents can be emailed, mailed, or dropped off at the Pastoral Office.
- Funeral preplanning packet available from the parish
- Documents can be emailed, mailed, or dropped off at the Pastoral Office
Parish Communication (FlockNote)
St. Margaret uses FlockNote to keep parishioners informed of news, events, and ministry sign-ups. New parishioners and visitors are invited to text SaintMargaret to 84576 or visit www.flocknote.com and search for St. Margaret to receive parish updates.
- Text SaintMargaret to 84576
- Or sign up at flocknote.com (search: St. Margaret)
Parish Office
The Pastoral Office at St. Margaret is staffed Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The office can be reached by phone at (337) 439-4585 or by fax at 337-433-3186.
- Address: 2500 Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles, LA 70601
- Phone: (337) 439-4585
- Fax: 337-433-3186
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Fri 8:30 a.m. – noon
Festivals & Parish Life
St. Margaret hosts an annual 'CalcaChew' Food Festival and Fair each Fall, bringing the parish and broader Lake Charles community together.
- CalcaChew Food Festival and Fair (Fall)