About St. Paul the Apostle · Lafayette, Louisiana
St. Paul the Apostle Church, located at 326 S. Washington Street in Lafayette, Louisiana, is the first African-American Catholic parish in the Acadiana region. Founded in 1911 by Black Catholics seeking to worship in dignity and style, it was originally shepherded by the Holy Ghost Fathers and continues today under the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD). The parish also operates the Chapel of Our Lady of Good Hope, established in 1950 at 301 Covenant Street to serve the historic Freetown, Port Rico, and Mills Addition neighborhoods. As a cornerstone of Lafayette's Black Catholic community, St. Paul's remains a spiritual home rooted in faith, service, and African-American Catholic tradition.
- Established
- 1911
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Anthony "Tony" Anala, SVD
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
Why belong here
St. Paul the Apostle is the oldest Black and Creole Catholic church in Lafayette, with more than a century of service to the Fightinville and Freetown neighborhoods. The parish welcomes families with Catholic services, religious education for grades 1–12, a dedicated school (Holy Family Catholic School), active music and liturgical ministries, and a strong commitment to emergency relief and care for the poorest among them. Worshippers here are invited to walk together in faith, speak and act for peace and justice, and grow as good stewards of God's generous gifts to their families, church, and community.
Mass times at St. Paul the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM
- By appointment (call the parish office)
Welcome & Parish Mission
St. Paul the Apostle / Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church in Lafayette, Louisiana, identifies itself as the oldest Black and Creole Catholic church in the area, serving the Fightinville and Freetown neighborhoods. The parish mission is to lift up the most generous and the poorest of the poor of the parish and neighborhoods through Catholic services, emergency relief, comfort, prayer, and good hope. The parish mission statement expresses gratitude as African-American Catholics, followers of the Lord, walking together in faith, teaching and giving service with a special concern for the poor.
- Mission: to serve the people in the Fightinville and Freetown neighborhoods in Lafayette, Louisiana
- Honored as the oldest Black & Creole Catholic church in the area
Our Church History
St. Paul the Apostle Church was founded in 1911 as the first African-American parish in the Acadiana area. Originally ministered by the Holy Ghost Fathers and now shepherded by the Divine Word Missionaries, the parish was instrumental in forming Immaculate Heart of Mary in Lafayette in 1934. The Chapel of Our Lady of Good Hope was established in 1950 as an annex to St. Paul's to serve the Freetown, Port Rico, and Mills Addition historical neighborhoods at 301 Covenant Street, with services previously held in Good Hope Hall.
- Founded 1911
- First African-American Catholic parish in Acadiana
- Chapel of Our Lady of Good Hope established 1950
- Immaculate Heart of Mary parish formed from St. Paul's in 1934
Parish Office Hours & Contact
The parish office is open weekdays in two blocks, and can be reached by phone, fax, or email. Sacrament requests (Baptism, Wedding) are processed through the office with the policies listed on the parish website.
- Phone: (337) 235-0272 / Fax: (337) 235-3100
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish Office Hours: Monday–Wednesday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM; Thursday–Friday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Baptism requests: 4th Sunday of the month; application after Mass, by email, or in the office
- Wedding requests: notify office at least six months in advance
Pastoral Staff
St. Paul's is led by Fr. Anthony 'Tony' Anala, SVD, a member of the Divine Word Missionaries. He is supported by a Director of Religious Education, music ministers, trustees, a parish hall manager, and a parish secretary. The affiliated Holy Family Catholic School is led by Principal Mr. Rogers Griffin.
- Pastor: Fr. Anthony 'Tony' Anala, SVD
- Director of Religious Education: Ms. Bobbette Castille
- Music Ministers: Mr. Jimmy Joubert and Mrs. Geraldine Broussard
- Trustees: Mr. Gobb Williams and Mr. John Broussard
- Secretary: Ms. Linda Moten
- Parish Hall Manager: Mrs. Bessie Thibeaux
- Holy Family Catholic School: Mr. Rogers Griffin (Principal), Mrs. Angela Nicholas (Secretary), (337) 235-0267
Ministries & Parish Life
St. Paul the Apostle offers a range of liturgical and pastoral ministries open to parishioners who wish to share their gifts. From serving at the altar to comforting the grieving to welcoming visitors, each ministry is rooted in service to God and the parish community.
- Eucharistic Ministry
- Choir
- Altar Servers
- Bereavement Ministry
- Greeters
- Religion Classes (Saturday 9:00 AM–11:00 AM, grades 1–12)
- Junior Knights of Peter Claver
Eucharistic Ministry
Eucharistic Ministers serve the Body and Blood of Christ during Mass and to the sick and homebound, cultivating devotion to the Holy Eucharist through reverence, demeanor, attire, and careful handling of the Sacrament. Ministers must be at least 16 years old and have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation, and must attend a workshop to be appointed.
- Open to those 16+ with Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation
- Workshop required for appointment
Choir
The choir sings hymns in praise of God and assists parishioners in their efforts to pray at Mass and community celebrations. All are invited regardless of past experience or current ability. The choir is led by Music Ministers Mr. Jimmy Joubert and Mrs. Geraldine Broussard.
- Open to all who wish to use their musical gifts
- Contact Mr. Jimmy Joubert or Mrs. Geraldine Broussard via the parish office
Altar Servers
The Altar Server ministry is open to children in at least the fourth grade or adults who have received First Holy Communion and desire to assist the Celebrant during liturgy. Servers follow a progressive training program from Novice to Server to Master Server. In 2018, Andre' Moore received the Serra International 2018 Altar Server Award, presented by Bishop Deshotel at Immaculata Chapel.
- Open to children in 4th grade or older, and adults with First Communion
- Progressive training: Novice → Server → Master Server
- 2018 Serra International Altar Server Award recipient: Andre' Moore
Bereavement Ministry
The Bereavement Ministry assists grieving families with Mass preparations for funerals and with preparing and serving food brought to the parish hall after a loved one's funeral Mass. Volunteers with cooking, baking, kitchen, or technology skills are welcomed for about two hours during such times.
- Assists with funeral Mass preparations
- Prepares and serves food in the parish hall
Greeters
Greeters offer a warm, friendly welcome and are the first face visitors see when entering St. Paul / Good Hope Catholic Church, embodying the parish's spirit of hospitality. Volunteers are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to Mass.
- Arrive 30 minutes before Mass
- Outgoing, cheerful personality welcomed
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religion Classes are offered Saturday mornings from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM for children in grades 1 through 12. The parish also produces certificates for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, or Death upon request through the parish office.
- Religion Classes: Saturday 9:00 AM–11:00 AM, grades 1–12
- Sacramental certificates available upon request
Holy Family Catholic School
Holy Family Catholic School is affiliated with the parish and serves local students under Principal Mr. Rogers Griffin, with Mrs. Angela Nicholas serving as secretary. The school community has produced notable young Catholic leaders, including altar server Andre' Moore, who continued to Teurlings Catholic High School in 2018.
- Principal: Mr. Rogers Griffin
- Secretary: Mrs. Angela Nicholas
- Phone: (337) 235-0267
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the sacraments of Baptism (held on the 4th Sunday of the month), Marriage (with at least six months' notice to the office), First Communion, and Confirmation. The parish also issues sacramental certificates upon request through the office.
- Baptism: 4th Sunday of the month
- Marriage: 6 months' advance notice
- First Communion, Confirmation, and sacramental certificates available
Parish News & Giving
The parish shares ongoing news such as its Annual Fall Tax Appeal, an annual anniversary Mass and dinner (e.g., 115th Anniversary on March 14), family registration packets, online giving, and church hall rentals. The church hall is available for event rentals through Parish Hall Manager Mrs. Bessie Thibeaux.
- Annual Fall Tax Appeal
- Online giving available
- Church hall rental through Mrs. Bessie Thibeaux at (337) 235-0272 or (337) 254-2865
- Family Registration packets available
Our Lady of Good Hope Chapel
The Chapel of Our Lady of Good Hope is located at 301 Covenant Street, Lafayette, and was established in 1950 as an annex to St. Paul's to serve the parishioners of the Freetown, Port Rico, and Mills Addition historical neighborhoods. Before the chapel was built, church services for these neighborhoods were held in Good Hope Hall. The chapel hosts the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass.
- Address: 301 Covenant Street, Lafayette, LA
- Established 1950 as annex to St. Paul's
- Hosts Sunday 9:00 AM Mass