About St. Mary · Winnsboro, Louisiana
St. Mary Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 1712 West Street in Winnsboro, Louisiana, within the Diocese of Alexandria in the Eastern Deanery. Established on September 30, 1945, the parish was originally staffed by the Josephite Fathers and now serves the faithful of Franklin Parish from its main church building and its mission chapel, St. John Chapel in Columbia. The parish offers a full schedule of daily and weekend Masses, religious education, youth ministry, and traditional Catholic devotions including First Friday and First Saturday Masses.
- Established
- 1945
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Robert Johnson (Pastoral Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Alexandria (Eastern Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Mary is a welcoming small-town Catholic community with a daily Mass schedule and a long tradition of traditional devotions, including First Friday Mass, First Saturday Exposition with Benediction, and Lenten Stations of the Cross. The parish runs an active religious education program (CCD), RCIA, and youth ministry supported by a music director, and it extends its reach through the historic mission of St. John Chapel in nearby Columbia. For Catholics in Winnsboro and Franklin Parish, it is the spiritual home where the sacraments, faith formation, and community life come together.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 6:30-6:50 am (before 7:00 am Mass)
- Sunday 8:30-8:50 am (before 9:00 am Mass)
- First Saturday during Exposition at 9:00 am (St. Mary Church)
- Sunday 11:00-11:20 am at St. John Chapel, Columbia (before 11:30 am Mass)
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- First Saturday: Exposition at 9:00 am with Benediction at 9:30 am
History of St. Mary Parish
Catholic life in Winnsboro began in 1859, when Father Louis Gergaud, pastor of St. Matthew's in Monroe, celebrated Mass in a private home and preached at the courthouse, making three converts. Priests from Monroe continued to visit the town regularly. In 1904 Winnsboro was formally attached as a mission of Our Lady of Lourdes in Vidalia, and in 1905 John Myer donated land on which a small chapel was built. From 1941 the mission was served by the Franciscan Friars of St. Pascal's in West Monroe. On September 30, 1945, Bishop Daniel Desmond erected St. Mary's as an independent parish and entrusted its care to the Josephite Fathers, who built a brick church dedicated by Bishop Charles Greco. In 1963 administration passed to diocesan clergy, and under Fr. Daniel Corkery a parish hall and new rectory were added.
- 1859 — First Masses offered in Winnsboro by Fr. Louis Gergaud
- 1904 — Winnsboro becomes mission of Our Lady of Lourdes, Vidalia
- 1905 — Land for a chapel donated by John Myer; small church built
- 1941 — Mission served by Franciscan Friars of St. Pascal's, West Monroe
- 1945 — Parish established by Bishop Daniel Desmond; Josephite Fathers arrive
- 1963 — Administration transferred to diocesan clergy
Missions
St. Mary Parish historically has served surrounding rural communities through mission chapels. Today it retains one active mission, St. John Chapel in Columbia.
- St. John Chapel, Columbia — established 1954 as a mission; original chapel burned Christmas Eve 1988; rebuilt and rededicated June 17, 1990.
- St. Patrick, Fort Necessity — former mission on land donated by W. E. Moore, Sr.; dedicated August 7, 1966; discontinued 1994.
St. John Chapel (Columbia) — Schedule
Until further notice, St. John Chapel Masses are celebrated at 302 Boatner Street, Columbia. Confessions are heard before Sunday Mass.
- Sunday Mass: 11:30 am
- Thursday Mass: 12:15 pm
- Sunday Confessions: 11:00-11:20 am
Devotions
St. Mary Parish maintains several traditional Catholic devotions throughout the year.
- First Friday Mass at 7:00 am
- First Saturday Exposition at 9:00 am with Confessions during Exposition, Benediction at 9:30 am, and Mass at 9:40 am
- Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 6:00 pm during Lent
Parish Staff
Parish life is shepherded by a Pastoral Administrator and supported by a small lay staff handling administration, religious education, RCIA, music, and youth ministry. Rev. Robert Johnson currently serves as Pastoral Administrator of St. Mary Church and its mission, St. John Chapel in Columbia.
- Rev. Robert Johnson — Pastoral Administrator
- Kristy Wolleson — Secretary
- Cindy Futch — Director of Religious Education / CCD
- Blake Kramer — RCIA
- Gene Thompson — Music Director
- Carmen Sims — Youth Ministry
Faith Formation & Ministries
The parish offers faith formation for children and adults along with active youth and music ministry. The parish is part of the Diocese of Alexandria's Eastern Deanery.
- Religious Education / CCD — Cindy Futch, Director
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) — Blake Kramer
- Youth Ministry — Carmen Sims
- Music Ministry — Gene Thompson, Music Director
Contact & Practical Information
Parish office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 12 noon. Office hours listed in the 2026 diocesan directory are Monday and Wednesday–Friday, 8:00 am to 12 noon. The parish can be reached by phone at (318) 435-5658; the rectory line listed in the diocese directory is (318) 435-8580.
- Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am – 12 noon
- Phone: (318) 435-5658
- Rectory: (318) 435-8580
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 58, Winnsboro, LA 71295-0058
- Street Address: 1712 West Street, Winnsboro, LA 71295
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Josephite Fathers1945-1963
Order invited by Bishop Daniel Desmond to administer the newly independent parish; built and dedicated the brick church.
- Diocesan clergy (Fr. Daniel Corkery)from 1963
After 1963 the parish was placed in charge of diocesan clergy; under Fr. Corkery (a native of Ireland) the parish hall and a new rectory were built.