A DREAM FULFILLED: THE HISTORY OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH

Circa 1946

"Immaculate Conception Catholic Church’s history is inextricably tied to St. Francis Xavier Church of Baton Rouge.  Back in the mid-fifties, Catholics realized that the area of religious instruction in Scotlandville was indeed broad.  It was surmised that five district units must be served.  Those units included “the townspeople, students of Southern University, the State School for the Blind and Deaf and the then State Industrial School.”  Accordingly, it is noted the Josephite Fathers and the Sisters of Notre Dame had been working for some time in this area. 

It is also significant to observe that during this time, St. Francis Xavier Church was only a Mission.  The Josephite fathers radiated from St. Francis Xavier visiting Southern University campus.  There they made contact with Catholic students and received others who were eager to learn the Catholic faith.  But, meeting space and other difficulties prevented establishment of such a working setting.  Instead, those interested students were eventually encouraged to attend Holy Mass in Baton Rouge.  Joined by the people of Scotlandville, the students journeyed to St. Francis Xavier by bus.

Several years later, the advent of a new chapter unfolded, as during the Fall of 1946 the Catholic community of Scotlandville took yet another step.  The Rev. Edward LeDoux, S.S.J. made arrangements with theatre owner James Cook for Holy Mass to be celebrated in the Scenic Highway movie house.  And, on October 13, 1946, the pastor with Scotlandville Catholics celebrated Holy Mass.  In a show of appreciation to Cook, later the statue of the Blessed Mother was dedicated to the memory of the Cook Family.

While the Scotlandville Catholics continued their worship in the Theatre, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph F. Rummel, S.T.D., Archbishop of New Orleans, purchased land located at Curtis and Helene streets.  A section of that location extended from Curtis Street to Fairchild Street.  The foresight of Archbishop Rummel regarding planning, financing, wise-counsel and encouragement is said to have given great impetus to a dream not yet fulfilled.   In fact, without Archbishop Rummel’s input, “we would have been more than normally helpless.”  Father Edward LeDoux, S.S.J. began saving money over a span of four years in hope of having it available for a new church.  Later, one of the “School Sisters” of Notre Dame also recognized the need for a church in Scotlandville and she presented the thought to Harold Ourso, an enterprising layman of Baton Rouge.  Mr. Ourso was then invited to a discussion-meeting by the Most Reverend L. Abel Caillouet, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans and pastor of St. Joseph’s Church of New Orleans.  A letter of correspondence between the Most Reverend Archbishop to Mr. Ourso dated February 24, 1950 notes the authorization and formation of a committee to raise monies for the church project.  And, Bishop Caillouet was appointed director of the campaign.

The fund-raising effort began and though the goal wasn’t fully realized, the committee provided the impetus for a series of special collections in Baton Rouge churches.  The Scotlandville parish held “benefit parties, suppers and bazaars.”  There were also large and small donations from friends of all races and creeds.  A big boost came from the Archbishop when through the Catholic Church Extension Society, he provided a substantial grant.  Fathers Francis T. Carney and Joseph M. Calamari had relatives in New York and Boston who made possible some large donations.  After a fund-raising effort lasting two-years, it was time to commence actual construction.

What unfolded in the months ahead was nothing less than phenomenal.  Church records reflect that, “Early on an October morning, the Feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Mother, two trucks and two autos swung jauntily from Helene into Curtis Street, bearing priests, workers and tripods, axes and hammers.”  This cadre of helpers “came with a feeling that they had the new church ready to toss out upon the empty lot.  Scotlandville parishioners were on hand to witness merely the staking off of the ground.  Remote from anyone’s mind were the endless days of pain and worry that lay ahead.”

What happened next is truly unbelievable.  Two days following the staking, there was the blessing and groundbreaking ceremony which took place on Sunday, October 12 at 2 p.m.  The first spade of earth was turned over by the pastor, Father Carney.  Surprisingly, it would not be the last by him or his assistant, Father Calamari.   Call it Divine Intervention or the spirit of the occasion – but “an overjoyed member of the congregation urged the group to finish the job then and there.  Everyone remained.  It is noted that, “from all directions came shovels and every manner of instrument to throw dirt.  Even the ladies and children proudly took up arms.  And, this truly was the day that captured the spirit and drive of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.  We are told that the evening shadows outlined 25 exhausted but proud men surveying an afternoon’s work.  Wile the fifty by ninety foot foundation ditch had not been completed, the church of the Immaculate Conception was no longer a thing of a dream and fantasy; it had taken on a local habitation and a name.

The rest of the story, we can credit those who made history.  The work went on through the fall, winter, spring and summer.  The work went on weekend after weekend.  There were various craftsmen who worked with untiring devotion for the glory of God.  The names are endless and but the pictures accompanying this history tells the story better than a possible omission.

The most captivating words pinned in our history are these:  “Hands digging a foundation, hands laying a brick, hands sawing a crossbeam, hands plastering and painting, hands wielding every kind of tool, devout and eager hands of two hundred volunteer laborers, skilled and unskilled, offer this Church of Immaculate Conception as an oblation to God and a tribute to Mary, His Mother.”

Who were these builders?  They were the men of this parish and notably the men of St. Francis Xavier parish.  Fifty years later, we salute them once again.  Somewhere it is written, “Other sacrificial hands include those palms up, soliciting funds; those palms down on cooking utensils, preparing food for the weekend worker.  Yes, even the tiny hands of an eight-year old James “Mickey” St. Amant carrying man-sized boards when there were no nails to pick up.  Thus were joined hands – callous and soft, black and white, old and young – to make brick and mortar worthy of a House for God and a place where His glory dwells.”  We are grateful to those who recorded the early history, such that, it so beautifully captured the spirit that remains Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

It has been noted about our early members:  These people did not have the church built.  They built the church.  There could be no motive of private gain; the inspiration was solely their love for God.  Untouched by mercenary motives, this prayer in brick stands as a visible expression of the spiritual aspirations of the community.  It is not extravagant to muse that here was renewed the spirit of the Ages of Faith which prompted our forefathers ‘to lavish their scanty wealth and to toil with devout hands to raise the awful fabrics of the medieval cathedrals and abbeys.’  In a unique sense, the Church of Immaculate Conception is a House of Sacrifice.  Henceforth, the Sacred Body of Christ will be sacrificed within walls which contain the very bodily pain and self surrender of the officers who were the builders.”

On December 13, 1953 the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church was dedicated.  The Officiant was the Most Reverend Joseph F. Rummel, S.T.D., Archbishop of New Orleans and the Assistant Officiant was the Reverend Raymond A. Wegmann, Vice-Chancellor.  The celebrant was the Very Reverend Thomas P. McNamara, S.S.J., Superior General Josephite Fathers.   The Master of Ceremonies was Reverend Joseph M. Calamari, S.S.J., Assistant Pastor, St. Francis Xavier.  Serving as Deacon was Reverend Francis T. Carney, S.S.J., pastor of St. Francis Xavier (In Charge of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church).  Serving as Chaplains to His Excellency were the Very Reverend Thomas V. Cantwell, S.S.J., Rector, St. Augustine’s High School, New Orleans and Reverend Edward LeDoux, Pastor, St. David’s of New Orleans.  Sanctuary guests included, Reverend Herman Lohmann, Dean of Baton Rouge Deanery and Reverend Patrick Gillespie, pastor, St. Agnes of Baton Rouge.  A banquet was held saluting the clergy and the builders of the church.  Among the speakers were, Joseph L. Patin, representing St. Francis Xavier; John D. Ricard, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; Contractor Harold Ourso; Very Reverend Thomas P. McNamara, S.S.J. and Most Reverend Joseph F. Rummel." 

                                           Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

                                1953    ۩    A Capsule of Leadership Highlights    ۩   2003

           • Father Edward LeDoux, S.S.J., conducted the first Catholic service in Scotlandville

           • Father Francis T. Carney, S.S.J., established the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

           • Father Francis H. Fallon, S.S.J., supervised the building of the Rectory.

           • Father Aubry F. Osborn, S.V.D., secured the white classroom building, established

             the Newman Apostolate at Southern University and organized the Ladies’ Guild.

           • Father Roderick Hemond, S.S.J., started nursery and kindergarten classes and a car

             pool to transport students from the Louisiana Training Institute to Immaculate

             Conception.

           • Father Jeremiah Brady, S.S.J., sponsored youth summer programs, supervised

             Lay Council.            • Father Hugh Henneberry, S.S.J., sponsored major repairs in the church and secured

             a new altar.

             expansion of the Church; had the Green Hall repaired which accommodated senior

             citizens during the week sponsored the Immaculate Conception Band; encouraged

             the organization of the Knights of Peter Claver; initiated plans for a Silver Anniversary

             and made constant plans to secure parishioner participation in the full life of the

             Church.

           •  Father Maynard Hurst, S.S.J., executed the plans and building of the Activity Center 

              which houses all class rooms for CCD instruction.          

           •  Father Thomas E. Barberito, S.S.J., sponsored the entrance and vestibule

              expansion of Immaculate Conception Church.

           •  Father Hilton L. Rivet, S.S.J., executed plans and building of the Ministry Center;

              guided the church through the 10-year Strategic Planning for the Diocese of

              Baton Rouge and watched over the installation of the Stained Glass windows donated

              by the brother of Father Barberito.

  Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
   Pastors
   1953 - 2003
        
                               

Source:  "Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1953 - 2003, 'Fifty Years Rejoicing in the Lord,' The Blessed Mother - The Mass - The History" Souvenir Book