About St. Patrick · Ferriday, Louisiana
St. Patrick Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Ferriday, Louisiana, belonging to the Diocese of Alexandria. Established in 1952, with the present church constructed in 1958, it serves the Concordia Parish community along Florida Avenue and extends its pastoral care to Mission of St. Gerard in nearby Jonesville. The parish is led by Very Rev. John Pardue, V.F., who also serves as Vicar Forane (Dean) of the Diocese of Alexandria's Eastern Deanery, assisted by Deacon Sam Jones and a small staff.
- Established
- 1952
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Very Rev. John Pardue, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Alexandria (in Louisiana)
Why belong here
St. Patrick offers a strong, traditional schedule of Masses seven days a week — including a Saturday Vigil and daily Tuesday–Friday Masses — paired with six weekly confession slots and a Holy Hour of adoration after First Friday Mass. The parish is a tight-knit Eastern Deanery community served by an experienced priest who also oversees the surrounding Deanery, with active rosary groups (men's and ladies'), Stations of the Cross through Lent, First Friday and First Saturday devotional Masses, and the apostolic reach of the Mission of St. Gerard in Jonesville. For Catholics in Concordia Parish looking for reverent liturgy, accessible confession, and dedicated priests and deacons rooted in local life, St. Patrick is the spiritual home.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:45 pm – 5:15 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am – 9:30 am
- Tuesday–Friday (weekday): 9:45 am – 10:00 am
- Any time by appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday: after the 9:00 am Mass
About St. Patrick Church
St. Patrick Church is the Catholic parish serving Ferriday and the surrounding area of Concordia Parish in northeastern Louisiana. Established in 1952 and given its present church building in 1958, the parish belongs to the Diocese of Alexandria and is led by Very Rev. John Pardue, V.F., who also serves as Vicar Forane of the Eastern Deanery. The parish reaches beyond Ferriday through its sponsorship of the Mission of St. Gerard in Jonesville and offers a full weekly schedule of Mass, Confession, adoration, and devotions.
- Diocese: Diocese of Alexandria (in Louisiana)
- Established: 1952
- Present church: 1958
- Pastor: Very Rev. John Pardue, V.F.
- Deacon: Sam Jones
- Organist: Richard Alwood
- Secretary: Cindy Galloway / Mary Wilson
- Mission: St. Gerard, Jonesville
History of the Parish
Catholic life in the Ferriday area began in 1827 with the founding of the Helene Plantation by William and Helen Smith Ferriday. By 1924, priests from Vidalia and Natchez were celebrating Mass in private homes, and in 1925 the community built a chapel dedicated to St. Thomas as a mission of Vidalia. That chapel was destroyed by a storm, and a second chapel — this one dedicated to St. Patrick — was built in 1935 by Fr. Robert Ryer.
- 1827: Helene Plantation founded by William and Helen Smith Ferriday
- 1924: Priests from Vidalia and Natchez begin celebrating Mass in private homes
- 1925: First chapel built (dedicated to St. Thomas) as a mission of Vidalia; later destroyed by storm
- 1935: Second chapel built and dedicated to St. Patrick by Fr. Robert Ryer
From Mission to Independent Parish
In 1951 Bishop Charles P. Greco — sixth Bishop of Alexandria — elevated the Ferriday mission to a full, independent parish. Fr. Simone Vitale was appointed the first pastor in 1951/1952, and Fr. John Gayer succeeded him in 1953. Under Fr. Gayer, the rectory was completed and the present church was built in 1958, blessed by Bishop Greco on March 17, the Feast of St. Patrick.
- 1951/1952: Bishop Charles P. Greco erects St. Patrick as an independent parish
- Fr. Simone Vitale appointed first pastor (c. 1951–1953)
- 1953: Rectory completed; Fr. John Gayer becomes second pastor
- 1958: Present church constructed under Fr. Gayer
- Blessed by Bishop Greco on March 17, Feast of St. Patrick
Mission of St. Gerard, Jonesville
The parish serves as the mother church for the Mission of St. Gerard in Jonesville. Originally a mission of Jena, St. Gerard's first church was an old Army building secured by Bishop Greco. On November 1, 1964, ground was broken for a new 60-by-30-foot, 100-seat church, built by James Al Eiland of Bunkie for less than $20,000; Bishop Greco blessed it on May 31, 1965.
- Address: 303 Willow St., Jonesville
- Mailing: P.O. Box 863 (Hall phone: (318) 339-6143)
- Sunday Mass: 8:00 am
- Friday Mass: 12:15 pm
- Confession: 7:15–7:45 am and any time by appointment
- Adoration: Friday 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Patrick is led by an experienced priest-deacon team with a small lay staff for music and administration. The pastor additionally serves as Vicar Forane (Dean) of the Eastern Deanery for the Diocese of Alexandria.
- Very Rev. John Pardue, V.F. — Pastor / Vicar Forane, Eastern Deanery
- Deacon Sam Jones — Deacon
- Richard Alwood — Organist
- Cindy Galloway / Mary Wilson — Secretary
Saints' Relics at the Parish
St. Patrick Church is home to year-round relics of three canonized saints, making it a small pilgrimage site for the faithful of central Louisiana.
- St. Francis Xavier Seelos (Redemptorist priest, beatified 2000, canonized 2024 — known for his ministry in New Orleans)
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the Little Flower)
- St. Louis, King of France
Visit & Contact
The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The parish is the seat of the Eastern Deanery of the Diocese of Alexandria and serves Catholics in Ferriday, Jonesville, and surrounding Concordia and Catahoula Parishes.
- Address: 601 Florida Ave., Ferriday, LA 71334
- Mailing: P.O. Box 369, Ferriday, LA 71334-0369
- Phone: (318) 757-3834
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Robert Ryer1935
Built and dedicated the second chapel in honor of St. Patrick, which preceded the independent parish.
- Fr. Simone Vitale1951/1952 – c. 1953
Appointed first pastor when Bishop Charles P. Greco erected St. Patrick as an independent parish.
- Fr. John Gayer1953 – after 1958
Second pastor; oversaw completion of the rectory in 1953 and construction of the present church in 1958, blessed by Bishop Greco on March 17.
- Very Rev. John Pardue, V.F.Present
Current pastor; also serves as Vicar Forane (Dean) of the Eastern Deanery.