History
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Pictures
In this column, you can see a series of pictures throughout the years in the church. The older pictures seen first are from the 2005-2007 era when the church was in a remodeling process.
The latter of the pictures are from recent years. They were photographed in 2022. -
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According to Fr. Elmer Toups, the first pastor of the new parish, auxiliary Bishop Maurice Schexnayder, who at the time was pastor of St. Michael's Catholic Church, "purchased four acres of land in south Crowley and erected a lovely frame church, Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, as a mission station of St. Michael..." The church seated about 450 people, and priests from Lafayette usually came to assist in celebrating Sunday Masses.
The Redemptorist Vice-Provincial, Fr. Restraints, accompanied by Fr. Toups and Fr. Bass, drove to Lafayette to meet with Bishop Schexnayder about setting a date for the opening of the parish. The Bishop then decreed the erection of and set boundaries for the church parish, effective January 1, 1959.
The Redemptorist priests assumed care and leadership of the parish on that day and continued to live and serve the church community until 2003. Their early days in the parish were spent settling in and seeing to the organization of various parish societies and setting up catechism classes. Groups such as the Rosary Altar Society, the Ushers Society, Knights of the Altar, The Sacre Coeur Knights of Columbus, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society were formed, along with many others. The novena devotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, which are still prayed today, were inaugurated then. When all of these organizations were up and running, the Fathers turned their time and attention to the building of a permanent grade school building.
Work on a new school/cafeteria began in February, 1960. It opened on September 5th for the 1960-1961 school session; the first building was a cafeteria with four classrooms attached and opened its doors to 60 pupils. It had continued to expand through the years to meet the needs of increased enrollment. Unfortunately, after the end of the 2018-2019 school year, the school was closed.
In addition to the school, there were several other noteworthy happenings in the parish. Eventually, three Notre Dame Sisters arrived to teach in the school. In 1968, they moved into a new convent built for them. Ground breaking for a new rectory took place in 1968. The following year, the Fathers moved into their new home. Other undertakings included the building of a parish hall and new school gymnasium.
Two young men from our parish were ordained Redemptorist priests. Fr. Michael Schatzle, son of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Schatzle, served in the Diocese of Baton Rouge for many years before his retirement; he is currently a resident of Baton Rouge, La. Fr. Bryon Miller, son of Mr. & Mrs. John Miller, was the director of the Blessed Francis X. Seelos Center for many years in New Orleans. He served as the President and Publisher of the Liguorian Maganize in Liguoria, Missouri. Fr. Miller is currently on sabbatical attending to family matters.
When the Redemptorist order announced they would no longer be able to serve in the parish, it became necessary for the diocese to send a diocesan priest to serve here. At that time the parish was purchased from the Redemptorist order with the convent and the rectory.
On June 10, 2003, Fr. Rusty Richard was appointed pastor of the parish. While he served here, the convent was renovated and now serves as the pastor's home. The rectory converted to the parish offices and faceted glass windows were installed in the church.
Fr. Matthew Higginbotham was appointed in June of 2005. During his time, our church was completely repainted inside, a new altar, new ambos, and commentator's stand were built and set in place. Other changes were made as well.
In July of 2017, Fr. Jason Vidrine was appointed to the church. During his time, the church held many Latin masses, started the Legion of Mary groups again, and had new altar railing kneelers installed.
Our current pastor, Fr. Johnathan Janise was appointed in July of 2021. Fr. Janise continues to help the parish improve and prosper.
We are grateful to all the priests and lay people who worked so long and hard to establish this parish and helped it to grow and prosper. We are grateful as well for our priest who currently serves here and for the continued work of our parishioners who help support the parish.
Former Redemptorist Priests:
Rev. Elmer Toups 1959-1967
Rev. Clement J. Monroe 1967-1972
Rev. Gregory LaHaye 1972-1978
Rev. Alphonse J. Abadie 1978-1981
Rev. Edward Glebe 1981-1984
Rev. Clement J. Monroe 1984-1987
Rev. John Farnik 1987-1990
Rev. Edward Glebe 1990-1990
Rev. Joseph Steffes 1990-1999
Rev. Gerard Siebold 1999-2003This list does not include former associate pastors, parochial vicars, or deacons that served the parish.