About St. Peter the Apostle · Gueydan, Louisiana
St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the small Cajun prairie town of Gueydan, Louisiana, in Vermilion Parish. Founded in 1907 by French-speaking pioneers of the region and named for the patron saint of the town's founder, Jean Pierre Gueydan, the parish is part of the Diocese of Lafayette and serves as the spiritual home for roughly 2,000 families across the surrounding rice-farming countryside. It also operates St. David Chapel, a quiet mission church on Meridian Line Road that hosts a weekly Sunday Mass and is used for retreats. The parish is known for its historic Spanish mission-style church (dedicated in 1936), its strong Catholic school tradition (1955–2017), perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, and a deep devotion to faith formation through CCD and RCIA.
- Established
- 1907
- Patron
- St. Peter the Apostle (named for the patron saint of town founder Jean Pierre Gueydan)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Stephen Sahayaraj Irudayasamy HGN
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
Why belong here
St. Peter's offers the full rhythm of Catholic life in an intimate, rural setting: weekend Masses Saturday evening and three times on Sunday (including at the historic mission chapel of St. David), daily weekday Masses, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in a dedicated side chapel, and a full schedule of Confessions before every Mass. The parish runs an active CCD religious education program with Ignatius Press textbooks, a robust RCIA process led by clergy and a lay team, Faith N Fun Bible School for children, and a strong pro-life and sacramental-preparation ministry. For anyone in the Gueydan area seeking a welcoming Cajun Catholic community with deep roots going back to 1907, St. Peter the Apostle is a faithful and active home.
Mass times at St. Peter the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before all Masses (including Sunday Masses)
- Saturdays 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm
- By appointment with the priest outside scheduled times
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Blessed Sacrament Adoration chapel (side chapel of the church); sign up for an hour weekly by contacting Andrea at 337-223-0640
Parish History
St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Gueydan, Louisiana, traces its roots to the 1890s, when a Dutch missionary priest from Jennings began riding by horse and buggy to celebrate Mass in homes and a former saloon. By 1906 the local Catholic community had organized fundraisers — gumbos, jambalayas, card parties, and a bazaar of eggs and pigs — that raised $1,400 to build a church. In 1907 Archbishop Joseph Blenk assigned the French-born Fr. A.B. Colliard as the first canonical pastor, and the parish was named for the patron saint of the town's founder. The present Spanish mission-style church was dedicated by Bishop Jeanmard in August 1936 after 34 years of work under Msgr. Joseph Garneau. The parish also operates St. David Chapel in rural Mulvey as a mission.
- Mid-1890s: Monthly Masses begin in Gueydan by Msgr. Peeters, pastor of Jennings
- 1897: Fr. Reynald of Crowley succeeds; Gueydan considered a mission of Crowley
- 1906: Committee writes Archbishop Blenk; bazaar raises $1,400
- 1907: Church built; Fr. A.B. Colliard named first canonical pastor in December
- 1920: Msgr. Joseph Garneau begins his 34-year pastorate
- 1925: St. David Chapel built in Mulvey (Marceaux community)
- 1936: Present Spanish mission-style church dedicated by Bishop Jeanmard
- 1955: St. Philomena (St. Peter) School completed under Msgr. Garneau
- 2017: St. Peter School closes due to low enrollment
St. David Chapel (Mission Church)
St. David Chapel is a mission church of St. Peter parish, located in Mulvey (formerly the Marceaux community) on Meridian Line Road (La. Hwy 1393), which also marks the eastern boundary of St. Peter Parish, separating it from Holy Rosary Church in Kaplan. It was founded in 1925 by long-time pastor Msgr. Garneau, built with lumber from the recently dismantled chapel in the Florence community. The chapel provides a quaint, rural setting for worship and is used for the parish's 8:30 am Sunday Mass as well as retreats and days of recollection by several parishes and groups.
Sacraments
The parish prepares Catholics for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion, First Confession, and Marriage. Adult initiation follows the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), a structured journey from inquiry through catechumenate, purification and preparation during Lent, initiation at the Easter Vigil, and mystagogy. Sessions typically begin in September and conclude shortly after the Easter Vigil; the team is coordinated by Deacon Hebert ([email protected]).
- Baptism, First Communion, First Confession, Confirmation, Marriage — preparation available
- RCIA for unbaptized adults, Christians entering full communion, and baptized Catholics needing First Communion/Confirmation
- Contact: parish office 337-536-9258 or Deacon Hebert at [email protected]
Religious Education & Youth Ministry
Religious education at St. Peter's is built around the parish CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program, which uses the Ignatius Press Faith and Life series. Under Fr. Jason Vidrine the program was reviewed and updated; under Fr. Mitchell Guidry the adult RCIA was re-established and a summer children's program resumed. Each summer the parish also hosts Faith N Fun Bible School for children.
- CCD using Ignatius Press 'Faith and Life' textbooks
- Faith N Fun Bible School (summer program for children)
- Periodic faith enrichment classes
- Baptism, Marriage, Confirmation, First Confession and First Communion preparation tracks
Parish Staff and Contact
The parish office is staffed by a small lay team alongside the pastor and a permanent deacon who coordinates RCIA. Inquiries about the parish, sacraments, Mass intentions, or general administration can be made by phone, fax, or email during parish office hours.
- Rev. Fr. Stephen Sahayaraj Irudayasamy HGN — Pastor
- Donna L. Reese — Secretary
- Shana Boudreaux — Bookkeeper
- Sheldon 'Pic' Broussard — Parish Custodian
- Deacon Hebert — RCIA contact ([email protected])
- Phone: (337) 536-9258 | Fax: (337) 536-0071
- Email: [email protected]
- Church: 707 Main Street, Gueydan, LA 70542
- Office: 604 Daspit Street, Gueydan, LA 70542
- Mailing: PO Box 28, Gueydan, LA 70542
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. A.B. Colliard (France)1907–1914
First canonical pastor; finished the church, paid the debt, served missions at Morse and Shell Beach.
- Fr. Joseph LeBerre (France)1914–1919
Focused on education of children.
- Fr. I.J. Lauzon (France)1919–c.1920
Short but enriching tenure; praised by Bishop Jeanmard; left life insurance and property to the parish at his retirement.
- Fr. A.L. Dufresnec.1920
Brief interim before Fr. Garneau.
- Msgr. Joseph Arthur Francois d'Assise Garneau (Canada)1920–1954 (34 years)
Founded St. David Chapel (1925); built the present Spanish mission-style church (dedicated 1936); built St. Philomena School (1955); died March 22, 1970, age 90; buried in Gueydan cemetery.
- Fr. J. Wilson Matt (Eunice)1954–1968
Staffed school with Grey Nuns of the Cross of Ottawa; retired school debt.
- Fr. Grady Estilette (New Iberia)1988–2002
Continued upkeep; moved parish offices to the old convent; demolished the former church building (used as gym/hall) in 1999; brought the Marianites of the Holy Cross to teach at St. Peter School (1989); established a chapel for daily Eucharistic Adoration.
- Fr. Mitchell Guidry (Church Point)2003–2009
Eliminated parish debt; extensive 2008–2009 interior renovation; installed copper roof; re-established RCIA; formed pro-life committee.
- Fr. Jason Vidrine (Ville Platte)June 24, 2009 – November 1, 2013
Implemented Ignatius Press Faith and Life CCD series; served also as Principal of St. Peter School from July 2010.
- Fr. Corey Campeaux (Lafayette)November 1, 2013 – c.2023
Began on the Solemnity of All Saints; presided over the closure of St. Peter School in 2017 due to low enrollment.
- Fr. Stephen Sahayaraj Irudayasamy HGNPresent
Current pastor (HGN = Heralds of Good News).