The Church is not our enemy.  She exists to help all of us to get to heaven though at times we may not understand her rules.  Though sinful in her members, the church is divinely empowered by the Holy Spirit to minister as Jesus himself would. 

The purpose of the Church is the salvation of souls.  Our Lord wants us to have life to the full and has given us a way of life and a Church to guide us through it.  He never promises that the path will be easy.  There is a cross, a narrow gate, a path less chosen. All of these involve our self denial.  God, not us, is to be at the center of our lives.

The self denial required may come from universal Church precepts (for example, going to Confession at least once a year) or even local parish policies.  People sometimes get angry with requirements and cringe when they see expectations for receiving the sacraments or student rules for their child’s catechism program.  I’ll give two somewhat humorous examples.

First example, in baptismal prep, I tell parents who rarely attend Mass that I need to see them attend Mass a few times before I baptize their child.  They respond as though Mass is a major hassle. Likewise, some parents have enrolled their children in catechism and complain feverishly about the requirement for their child to attend Sunday Mass.  I am not requiring the families to attend Mass out of malice, but because it fulfills Jesus’ command to celebrate the Eucharist and to keep holy the Lord’s Day.  I am trying to get them to heaven, not to keep them out. 

Second, I once planned a high school confirmation retreat.  One of the requirements was that the youth were not allowed to use their cell phones during the weekend.  This was to foster a spirit of personal detachment and keep the candidates focused on God.  It was as though I shot a puppy.  The candidates despised the rule, grumbled, and rallied together against it.  Fortunately, there was a turning point in the retreat when the candidates finally invested themselves, and get this, actually enjoyed the retreat as they sensed God’s movement in their lives.  Had we taken their smart phones to hurt them?  We did it to help them.

Jesus called many disciples.  Over the years of his ministry some followed through and some walked away.  It’s not always easy, but as Saint Paul says, “Run, so as to win.”  Endure the hardships of following the rules set forth by the Church in obedience to Christ.  Your local Catholic priest is tasked with bringing souls to heaven and governing an institution rooted in Christ.  We pastors are trying to pick up our own cross, enter through the narrow gate, and chose the path less chosen.  We are trying to set a good example for others.
 

Washington began as the “Post of Opelousas” which was located at or very near the present site of the town. The town grew largely around the commerce of the steamboat era and was the largest port between St. Louis and New Orleans.  Catholic priests began to visit, ministering to the residents. The first recorded ministering was accounted by Father Didier, when he spent a month at the plantation of Jacques Courtableau in 1756. What is described as "A hardy band of Capuchin missionaries" attended to the needs of the earliest settlers.

During this time the soldiers at the post reflected great contempt for the church and her ministers. The priests who would visit would sometimes need escorts into and out of the post. The priest attempted to point out the abuses, but were rebuffed and made to leave the post. The French did not take kindly to accepting the rule of the Spanish King either.

In 1773, however, the Spanish took over the area, and, after a land donation, the residents were soon to see a church building. The building was completed in 1776 and the church was called the Parochial Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Post of Opelousas – an area which soon became known as Church Landing.  The Church building was moved from what is now present day Washington to Opelousas and renamed the church of St. Landry.  Now “Church Landing” was without a church building.

In 1851, the residents decided to build a house of worship to be a place where all faiths could come to worship. Upon hearing this, the Pastor of St. Landry church was determined to construct a chapel by his own expense. This building was completed in 1852, but wasn’t used regularly until 1856.

In the summer of 1853 Yellow Fever claimed 100 of the 300 town dwellers in Washington. In 1854 the plague returned, but fewer victims succumbed because once affected, an immunity developed.

It wasn’t until 1855 that priests could travel to the town unharmed. Over the years the chapel was added onto and the interior of the church was rearranged. The chapel became a church which was rededicated and given the name: “Church of the Immaculate Conception.”

In 1867 Yellow fever struck again claiming the life of two priests, who had moved to Washington to minister to the sick. Yellow fever struck yet again, for the fourth and final time, in 1870. Washington was more susceptible due to the frequent travelers on the Opelousas River heading to and from New Orleans.  The parish priest, after recovering from his bout with Yellow Fever, began construction of a school, St. Joseph’s Academy, in 1871.

Over the years many priests have cared for the flock in various ways, through education, administering the sacraments, and establishing chapels in the area.  

On the morning of January 14, 2011, the people of Washington watched as are firefighters tried to rescue the historic cypress church building as it roared with flames and quickly became a heap of smoldering ashes.  Thankfully no one was seriously hurt and our beloved tabernacle with Jesus inside was rescued before the building collapsed.

A new church building, dedicated December 22, 2012, now stands in the place of the previous church.  The construction is remarkably similar to the previous historic church with a few modern adaptations.  

Our town has a rich history of trials and progress.  May the Lord continue to bless the parishioners of Immaculate Conception and the people of Washington as they strive to live the faith.

A Detailed History
of Immaculate Conception Church in Washington, LA
1756 – today

1733 The first official report of the Attakapas-Opelousas area was made by Sieur Bienville. The Indians had petitioned in person in New Orleans for traders to be sent to their country.

1750 There began a definite movement to establish the Poste des Opelousas and the First Commandant Louis Pellerin came in 1763. Washington was part of this area. It became the end of the steamboat line from New Orleans. That traffic served commerce to and from this area. Steamboats could go no further up the waterway and turned around in the TURNING BASIN located on Bayou Courtableau. Goods then moved further by barge and wagons.

1756 Fr. Pierre Didier, a Benedictine priest from Point Coupee, documented the first recorded church ritual. It was of the baptism of the grandson of Joseph LeKintrec, a local courier de bois, at the home of Sieur Jacque Courtableau. Permission was given by Bishop of Quebec with reason given as distance and road conditions. There is no record of a chapel at the poste. The area was being served by itinerant priests.

1763 Poste des Opelousas was established. The OPELOUSAS POSTE, which included what was to be named WASHINGTON, was founded in 1763.  Prior to that time, the OPELOUSAS (named for the local Indians) was thought of only as a frontier settlement.  No poste was established. The Washington area was an inland waterway port in that area.  The Opelousas District was established by the United States in 1803.  Prior to 1803, its area extended northward to the district of Natchitoches and its dependent post of Rapides, northeast as far as the Avoyelles district and east to Pointe Coupee.  The southern borders met the Attakapas District and the Gulf of Mexico.  The western boundary, in dispute with Spain, was settled in
1819 as the Sabine River.  Washington was known as "Church Landing" until it was named "Washington" in the 19th century.

1765 Fr. Iréneé, a Capuchin pastor of Pointe Coupe, recorded the wedding of Jacque
Courtableau and Margurite LeKintreck .

1766 Fr. Archange, a Capuchin of Pointe Coupee, was an itinerant priest and served as post pastor.

1767 Fr. Valentin, a Capuchin priest, replaced Fr. Archange and was probably the second permanent priest assigned to the post. The chapel named Immaculate Conception was founded under his leadership and built by parishioners. It was “a plain, simple chapel, so small that only a few persons could attend worship”. The exact site is not known for certain but a map drawn in
1780 (see map below) and housed at the Cabildo indicates it was in Washington and consisted of 3 small buildings. The area became known as “Church Landing.” Catholic priests recorded Protestant marriages and mandatory inscription of maternal and paternal godparents. A separate book was kept for baptisms and marriages and funerals of colored people since 1770.

1774 Fr. Valentin left the post and was replaced by Fr. Luis Lipiano Quintanilla of Spain.

1777-1779 Fr. Louis Marie Grumeau, a French Dominican from Santo Domingo was sent here to regain his health. He is the first priest about whom facts are known of his life in relationship to the post. Upon his death, Immaculate Conception came under the general supervision of the Attakapas, Fr. Gefratin. In September some records indicate that some repairs were made to the church house, presbyter and kitchen.

1785 Fr. Arazena requested more repairs were needed. They were 1) building to be limed, 2) chimney doubled with use of “brique de la Francoise”, 3) porch built to be encircled with bannisters, 4) locks put on 2 doors, 5) outdoor oven to be covered, 6) privy and chicken coup to have locks. There is no record that this was done as Commandant de Clouet insisted that people were too far behind on payments and thought improvements would be to tear it all down. Also, he felt that the cemetery was an individual responsibility and not a public concern; considered separation of church and state. Fr. Arazena organized and documented church records from tattered papers of 2 years prior. Some had to be translated from French and Spanish.

1789 Fr. Pedro de Zamora succeeded Fr. Arazena and the “Parroquia de San Leandro (St. Landry) was named. He seems to have been the first secular priest to have charge of the parish.

1790 A movement was underway to relocate the church to a more central location.

1794 Permission was given and a church was built in Opelousas, known today as St. Landry Catholic Church. The church records were transferred there.

1801-1803 After 12 years Fr. Zamora exchanged places with Fr. Buhot, the assistant pastor of St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. He was pastor through the days of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. He claimed a tract of land for the Roman Catholic Church under a certificate dated November 15, 1776 by Fuselier de la Claire certifying that it was sold to the church wardens to be used as a church. It was a piece of land belonging to the estate of Sieur Courtableau and endorsed by Commandant le Chavalier de Clouet on February 10, 1778. There was no church, Catholic or Protestant, in Washington for a number of years. The town citizens proposed a building to be built for use alternately by both Catholics and Protestants. Fr. Ravignol, pastor at St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas, was authorized by Archbishop Blanc of New Orleans to purchase property.  Done March 4, 1851 and started building. A simple chapel, measuring 32’ X 52’ was completed in 1852 to which additions were later made. It was dedicated in the fall and mass was celebrated by Fr. Ravignol. Twenty persons made their First Communion on Easter Sunday, March 24, 1853.  Immaculate Conception became its own canonical church parish under the auspices of the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1854. The chapel did not have regular services until 1856.

1853-1854 Yellow fever raged in Washington and claimed a vast number of the population

1855 Rev. Gilbert Raymond succeeded Fr. Ravignol, who returned to France. His half-brother Fr. Francois Raymond accompanied him here. Both were natives of Auvergne, France. They began probably the first regular worship services, offering Mass every Wednesday and Sunday. Children were christened and instructed in the faith. Sacraments were administered and at last a Catholic priest could come and go unharmed and without insult.

1862 A transept 50’x 2’ was added to the chapel, giving it the form of the Egyptian cross, thus enlarging it to accommodate the increasing membership. A belfry was built and a bell supplied. It was now a Church, rededicated and placed under patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary ---- the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

1867 The Yellow Fever struck again. It infected Fr. G. Raymond, who survived, and 2 substitute priests from Grand Coteau who succumbed to the disease. Rev. Claude Jacquet was appointed to Washington as the first parish priest.

1868 A rectory was built as he was living in the sacristy. He erected a chapel in Grand Prairie which he attended. He also served the chapel that Fr. Raymond had built on Bayou Boeuf (now church in Whiteville). He survived a bout of yellow fever in 1871. He bought property adjoining the church property and in 1871 built a school named St. Joseph Academy. It was served by the Sisters of Mount Carmel and closed in 1915. The sisters relocated in Ville Platte.

1875-1890 Fr. Jacquet was replaced by Fr. Pierre Marie Jouan

1890-1894 Fr. Robert Moise replaced Fr. Jouan

1894-1898 Fr. A. E. ‘d’ Hommee was pastor

1898 Fr. J. E. Simon served from July to December.

1898-1911 Fr. W. J. Teurling became pastor. He enlarged the church by adding sides and buttresses in 1905

1906-1911 Fr. E. M. Schmitt replaced Fr. Teurling

1911-1915 Fr. Charles Tessier was appointed pastor.

1918 The Diocese of Lafayette was created out of the territory of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  Immaculate Conception Church was then under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Lafayette.   Very Rev Jules B. Jeanmard, who was private secretary to Archbishop Shaw, became administrator of the diocese and was consecrated bishop at St. Louis Cathedral by Archbishop Shaw on December 8, 1918. Bishop Jeanmard was the first native of Louisiana at the time to be elevated to the episcopacy. 

1915-1922 Fr. Paul Jansen served as pastor. He purchased the school property from the Sisters of Mount Carmel and in 1921 he built a new church in Grand Prairie with material from the old convent building.

1922-1923 Fr. P. R. McCauley - then Fr. Vigliero served Washington

1923-1928 Fr. J. B. Godbout was pastor. In 1926 he repaired the church and replaced the windows in 1928.

1928-1932 Fr. Alfred Dupret replaced Fr. Godbout

1932-1934 Fr. L. F. De Monsabert served Washington

1934-1936 Fr. W. Bert succeeded him

1936-1946 Fr. J. C. Cooney replaced Fr. Bert. He built missions in Plaisance and Garland. Many of the trees and plants on church grounds were planted by him. He is buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery at the foot of the crucifix that he was instrumental in having built.
1946-1968 Fr. Patrick Regan was pastor. He remodeled the rectory and had erected a residence for the two sisters who taught catechism. The old convent ground was converted to a children’s playground – with tennis and hard ball courts. He died in 1969 and is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

1968-1972 Fr. Wilfred Sylvester served Immaculate Conception Church. He had St. Joseph’s hall built, improved the playgrounds and salvaged what he could of the church relics.

1972-1989 Fr. Jean Francois Berube was pastor. He died and is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery

1989-1997 Fr. Ralph Landry served as pastor until he retired

1997-2001 Fr. William Gearheard became pastor.  Under his pastorate he began working to see that Immaculate Conception Church would became one of the owner church parishes of Opelousas Catholic School.

2001-2002 Immaculate Conception relied on substitute clergy, especially Fr. Nicodemus K. Ampong from Ghana, for they were without a resident priest.

2002-2013 Fr. Gayle Nunez was pastor.  Immaculate Conception became one of five owner church parishes of Opelousas Catholic School in 2004. Immaculate Conception Church burned and was completely destroyed on Jan. 14, 2011. The tabernacle, three candlesticks and an angel statue were saved and are now in the new church. This church is remarkably similar to the previous historic church and dedicated on December 22, 2012.   The exterior is primarily Gothic Revival.  The steep and angled roofs of the towers, Victorian clapboard, paired windows, the vertical panels below the main gable, and the brackets under the eave at the transept all support the style. The nave is a mixture of Gothic and Classical Revival styles. 
 
In 2013 Fr. Jared G. Suire was appointed pastor.  A website was created and a new roof added to the existing parish hall.

In 2017 Fr. Matthew P. Higginbotham was appointed pastor. 

[Should you find anything in error, please contact us.  We are continually trying to fill in the missing pieces.]