The feeling that members are family, said Gail Vavasseur, a longtime member.
It closed in 1882 but reopened in 1895. Go here? Please. People are allowed to worship in our heritage. Bishop Tracy promised parishioners that, as long as they stayed, St. Francis would stay open. The Diocese of Baton Rouge also invites contact over its Emergency Hotline at225-242-0250. Many parishioners worked to build the brick sanctuary. It has 144 students in grades K-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. Many people like, from left, Toni Davis Vaughn, Peter Breaux, Shirley Crawford and Tiffany Quillen, return to St. Francis Xavier because of the feeling of family in the city's first African-American Catholic church. Tell us what a newcomer can expect. Because of damage to the original sanctuary caused by the construction of I-10, a new St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church was built, but Catholic leaders had it designed so it could be used as an auditorium or another purpose should the church close. Probably nothing lives to be 100 without struggles along the way. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Edward Chiffriller, who is now pastor. An elementary school was built in 1921, and a high school was built in 1955. Visited? A new sanctuary was later constructed after the original structure was damaged by I-10 construction. DiscoverMass and MassTimes.org have partnered together to help make a single place to manage Parish info for the public.
Only six classes graduated from the high school before it was leveled. Compare St. Francis Xavier Catholic School to Other Schools, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School Reviews, View Homes Near St. Francis Xavier Catholic School. He stated to us that he had come to close the church and direct the members to become members of St. Agnes Church, lifelong member Sophia White said. The Josephite Fathers of Baltimore, Maryland, sent the Rev. The parish suffered a terrible loss, as not only was the school demolished but the neighborhood was cut in half and the church building heavily damaged by heavy machinery. Interstate construction vibration damaged the sanctuary. Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, St. Anthony of Padua and Le Van Phung Parishes, St. Francis De Sales and Catholic Deaf Center. Victims of abuse, especially by clergy or other Church employees, are urged to report abuse first to proper civil authorities. All donations are tax deductible. Schools like St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, Niche requires Javascript to work correctly. Hedging his bets, the bishop said the sanctuary would be designed so that it could be used as an auditorium or another purpose should the church close. 
We made it., WHERE:Belle of Baton Rouge Capital Atrium, 800 S. River Road, Baton Rouge, TICKETS/INFO: $75,stfrancisxavierbr.org. Request access on the Bulletins tab of a church listing. Thats why were so proud of the 100-year-old history, because there are some churches that didnt make it. The first Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, built at the corner of 11th and Julia streets, was said on Christmas Day, 1918. St. Francis Xavier has 530 registered families. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 70802-4997, Directions The Sisters of the Holy Family staffed the school which was built in 1920 along with a convent. When Interstate 10 was built, the planned route went straight through the high school. Early in the 20th century, a site was chosen at Julia and South 11th streets for a church exclusively for black Catholics, and the first Mass was celebrated on Christmas Day, 1918. For many years, African-American Catholics worshiped at St. Joseph Cathedral and, later, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, which was closer to the predominantly black south Baton Rouge area. St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1943. Your privacy is important to us and we will never rent or sell your information. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. "We couldnt believe that it happened.. Unlike parishes that sprung up as Baton Rouge grew, St. Francis Xavier never received geographic boundaries. A high school was added in the mid-1950s. Bishop Tracy approved construction of a new church building, but he retired prior to its construction. Is this your church? We hope you join us for the celebration of the Eucharist! Yet, on Sunday, Dec. 30, the Baton Rouge areas first black Catholic church will celebrate its centennial with the theme Through trials and tribulations, by Gods grace, we triumph.. If you are a parish representative and would like to learn more about making your weekly bulletins available on DiscoverMass.com, complete the form below and we will followup with you shortly. I think its being able to practice our faith in our own culture.. Father Joseph Dube, S.S.J., was the first pastor. As African-Americans, were allowed to sing gospel songs. The church celebrates its 100th year this month. We welcome you to St. Francis Xavier in Baton Rouge, LA. Churchgoers, from left, Cora Green, Damien Ejigiri and Nancy Cortez, speak with the Rev. The St. Francis Xavier High School had only six graduating classes before it had to be torn down to make way for Interstate 10. Our history has been about survival, said Niles Haymer, the Parish Council chairman. We always dreamed and talked about building a new church, but he said there was no money available and the parish members were old, and it just didnt seem feasible. We even have drummers and saxophone players that come into our Mass. In 1976, St. Francis Xavier Parish finally succeeded in building their new, sturdy church, which stands today as a monument to the hard work and dedication of its parishioners. 
For more information, please contact the school. As a kid, when I was growing up, I never could figure out, Why the heck did they build the church by the interstate, not knowing the interstate came through (later).. The Catholic Life Center Administrative Offices of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Physical Address 1800 South Acadian Thruway Baton Rouge, Louisiana70808-1698, USA, Postal Address Post Office Box 2028 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821-2028, USA Main Phone Number: 225-387-0561 Main Fax Number: 225-336-8789. Join over 25,000 churches and claim this profile for a free and easy way to help more people find out about your church online. Sign up today. Edward Chiffriller, pastor at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, which will hold a 100-year celebration on Dec. 30. All the trials and tribulations in the African-American community over the last 30, 40 years are reflected in our parish, but we have still triumphed and we are triumphing right now, Haymer said. I-10 also cut through the heart of the community surrounding St. Francis Xavier, destroying homes and businesses. Sunday: 8:00 AM, 11:00 AM Saturday: 5:00 PM Holy Day: 9:00 AM, 7:00 PM. A priest told parishioners the church should close. St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church certainly has had its share. The church community prospered and grew and, by 1934, an expansion was begun.
The music is a big draw, too, said Betty Bickham, whose ancestors helped found the church. Attendance declined. Due to COVID-19 closures, many churches are not gathering for Mass. by FaithStreet. Updates are currently being routed through MassTimes.org. Older members told of how unwelcome they had felt attending St. Agnes before St. Francis Xavier came into being. EIN: 72-0550127. Do You Work at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School? Discover the schools, companies, and neighborhoods that are right for you. Find more information and download the list of credibly accused clergy here. The front of the old church was actually 11 feet from the interstate, said Walter Williams, a former Parish Council chairman. Usher Sandra Collins speaks to a churchgoer after Mass on Dec. 2.A feeling of family keeps many people coming to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.. It didnt make sense to him.. You have permission to edit this article. White, then a member of the diocesan school board, argued that St. Francis had more certified teachers and a more modern building. Follow George Morris on Twitter, @GWMorris. Although many parishioners moved away from the neighborhood, they kept coming to the church, said the Rev. Continue to MassTimes.org to update this listing. If you need directions to St. Francis Xavier, click here. We will assist in the process of healing in every way possible. Programs like children's ministry, young adults, youth group, missions, and nursery are also typical. More than 3,000 people were on the church rolls, according to St. Francis Xaviers written history. Baton Rouge, LA In 1916, the Congregation of St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church was incorporated, the first African-American Catholic Church in the city. It was dedicated in 1978; stained glass wasnt added until years later, Williams said. One of our sales represenatives will follow up with you shortly. Ultimately, Tracy said the church would remain open as long as parishioners kept coming, and he later approved building a new sanctuary because of damage to the original building. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, Catholic Charities Advisory Board & Program Services Committee, Office of Child and Youth Protection Policy Advisory Board, When to Call a Priest: At Home or In Hospital, RCIA Rite of Election: The Liturgy in Detail, Driving Directions to St. Joseph Cathedral, Opinions, Editorials, & Letters To The Editor, Administrative Offices of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Our Commitment to protecting the vulnerable. Each week we'll highlights the best eats and events in metro Baton Rouge.
WHERE: Belle of Baton Rouge Capital Atrium, 800 S. River Road, Baton Rouge. Please see below for Mass times. Parishioners argued with Keenan at the rectory at night, and some marched to protest at the residence of Baton Rouge Diocese Bishop Robert Tracy. This is helpful for the Church and helps ensure greater accuracy for Catholics looking for Mass times on the Internet. There was a problem saving your notification. Vincent Keenan, had a discouraging message. Enter your email address to receive an informative welcome email from St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. There are currently no bulletins available for St. Francis Xavier. A feeling of family and gospel music keep parishioners like Sophia White, Gail Vavasseur and Betty Bickham, from left, coming to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, which celebrates its centennial next week. Donor Information The Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Baton Rougeis a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. As the church reached its 50-year anniversary in 1968, its priest, the Rev. More information is available here. Josephite fathers ministered at St. Francis, a little red brick church which was considered a beacon of the Lord on the corner of Julia and South 11th Streets. Construction and land purchase were made possible by dedicated fund raising and many donations, the first of which was from Mother Katharine Drexel, founder and Superior General of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, to insure a good start.Holy Family Academy was founded in Baton Rouge in 1881. He said there was a church in a nearby neighborhood and it wasnt to capacity. Haymer, 40, doesnt have the multigenerational roots at St. Francis Xavier like some other members, but he identifies with what the church has been through. Prior to this time, Catholics of color had worshipped at St. Agnes for two years and, prior to that, at St. Joseph Church in downtown Baton Rouge. Tell us why you love St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. It is calculated using the reported number of students and full-time equivalent teachers. The process of integration also weakened St. Francis Parish, and many parishioners moved to St. Agnes Parish. A school began in 1920 and flourished along with the church. An interstate divided its neighborhood and destroyed its high school. The Golden Anniversary of the church in 1969 rekindled the flame of hard work and sacrifice, and rallied parishioners to defend St. Francis. About St. Francis Xavier Catholic School Student-Teacher Ratio may not be indicative of class size. Similar churches often offer music styles like contemporary, traditional hymns, and praise and worship. 1143 S 11th St A sanctuary was designed anticipating the church might fail. Featured in this glass is Henriette Delille, a free woman of color of African descent who founded the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans in 1842. The school remains. Fill out the following form to request more information on becoming a sponsor of this listing. Its the first time they closed a white school in favor of a black school, because everything was better in that environment, she said. Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. Parishioners who were skilled craftsmen built the addition themselves. Weve got gospel music in our church, which is a wonderful thing, Bickham said. Please call the church at. Get directions on Google Maps. Copyright 2022 Diocese of Baton Rouge All Rights Reserved. Address A beautiful set of stained glass windows depicting the history of the Sisters of the Holy Family was installed in the convent chapel. Joseph Dube to be the first priest at St. Francis Xavier. Tuition is for the highest grade offered and may have changed for the current school year. Celebrating 100 years, St. Francis Xavier Church proves its resilience, BY GEORGE MORRIS | gmorris@theadvocate.com. St. Francis Xavier Catholic School is a private, Catholic school located in BATON ROUGE, LA. The church was officially dedicated in 1919, though sacraments were recorded in 1918. Unfortunately, only six classes graduated from St. Francis Xavier High School because Interstate 10 carved a path straight through the building. In 1919, its name was changed to St. Francis Xavier School. Provides auto-suggestions when entering text. The school also fended off attempts to merge it with the St. Agnes School.