Introduction to Tour
Catholic missionary priests accompanied
the first Spanish and French exploratory and trade expeditions of the
Louisiana territory. Members of these expeditions were paid in the
form of land grants, and so they became settlers. The missionary
priests from Europe stayed to minister to the spiritual and religious
needs of the settlers. Trading outposts became encampments, which
became settlements, which became towns and cities. Ascension Church
parish was established in 1772. The original small wooden missionary
church, located on the site of the third and present church building,
was expanded and used for over 60 years to serve the needs of the
growing settlement. When it burned to the ground, a second church
building was begun. It was located at the approximate site of the
canopy entrance (PHOTO) from
the parking lot to the ramp into the present church. While it was
under construction, a storefront on Railroad Ave was used as a
temporary church building. The second church building was completed
and occupied in 1840. The original church cemetery was located
immediately adjacent to the original wooden church. It extended from
the present location of St. Vincent Street and extended to underneath
the present church site (PHOTO)
To make way for the new church, remains from the cemetery were
re-located to the present cemetery site. Construction on the present
church building was begun in 1875 and was finally completed and
formally dedicated in 1896. So portions of the present church are 127
years old and some elements are 106 years old.
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