Although records of the time are scarce, it is known that the first Catholic missionaries came to
the Opelousas country in 1756, when Father Didier visited the plantation of Sieur Courtableu.
Father Bourgeois, was honored in 1943 by Pope Pius XII with the title "Monsignor," he retired in 1970
and was replaced by Msgr. Edward Fruge.
In 1987 Sacred Heart Church Parish listed 3,000 families on its roster, plus 200 at the Chapel in Belaire Cove and another 200 at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit in Vidrine. This Chapel, built in 1982 as a Mission of St. Ann Catholic Church in Mamou, was transferred to the administration of Sacred Heart Church in 1987. Today, April 1998, the Holy Spirit Chapel is now part of Saint Ann Catholic Church in Mamou and has been for several years.
The Sacred Heart Catholic Church Parishioners over the years have been blessed with good leadership, both clerical and lay people, and the strong support of parishioners, and with the grace of God, Sacred Heart Church will continue to bring Christ to the people of Ville Platte as long as there are people to receive Him. The people of Sacred Heart Church pray for the blessings of the Risen Christ upon our Pastors and all in this community.
Some of this text was wrote By Father Mike Jarrell, When he was pastor of Sacred Heart Church
It was from Opelousas that the missionaries first came into the area that is now Evangeline Parish. The missionaries were welcome by the Catholic Cajuns, that had not been allowed Confession, Mass or Communion for a long time.
December 6,1845
Taken from the donation records of the Saint Landry Parish Courthouse, Opelousas, Louisiana, #79. The title "Edouard Dardeau et Martin Rousseau a Jean F. Raviol" dated December 6, 1845. The original records were wrote in French and translated and submitted by Elba Anthony Dardeau, Jr. (a descendant of Edouard Dardeau), who lives in Mississippi.
DONATION RECORDS:
THE RECORD READS:
"By means of an act carried out before P. Labiche, notary public in and for the parish of Saint Landry, Messrs. Edouard Dardeau and Martin Rousseau, both living in Ville Platte, in this named parish, have made a donation pure and simple, and this with the intention of aiding in the construction of a Catholic Church in the district of Ville Platte, to the Reverend Jean Francois Raviol, Pasto of the parish of Saint Landry, ninety-eight feet of frontage(by Mr. E. Dardeau) and eighteen feet(by Mr. Martin Rousseau), making a combined total of one hundred and sixteen feet of frontage on the public road of Ville Platte midway between(?) Opelousas and Bayou Chicot, comprising an area of two superficial arpents, bounded on one side by the said E. Dardeau and on the other by the said Mr. Rousseau.
This donation is made and accepted under the clauses and conditions that a Catholic Church will be constructed on the ninety eight feet of frontage given by Mr. Dardeau and is agreed that to assure the independence and the consecrated intention, the said Reverend Jean Francois Raviol will follow with his excellency the Bishop, all the measure order by the diocesan discipline in order that the present donation will not be personal to either the reverend Jean F. Raviol or to his excellency the Bishop, or to their successors.1854 - 1878
The years 1854 to 1878 saw a succession of French missionary priests serving the new parish.
It was not until 1854 that the Church Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus was established in Ville
Platte. The first Baptism recorded in Church records was that of Joseph Bouler (Buller), son of
Arcadius Bouler and Adelaide Johnson, on July 9, 1854.1878 - 1898
In 1878, Father Ponsier began a twenty-year period of service as Pastor, before his untimely death from shipwreck while on a journey to his home in France. He and his successor, Father L.J. Savy,
brought a period of stability and progress to the Parish.1898 - 1930
Father Savy served as Pastor from 1898
to 1930. During his administration, in 1913, the Sisters of Mount Carmel opened a convent
school, which remained in existence for ten years.1930 - 1970
Father J. M. Bourgeois, Father Savy's successor, re-opened the school shortly after his arrival in
1930. The new school was staffed by six Sisters from New Brunswick, Canada, who remained
for eight years. In 1939, the Marianite Sisters of the Holy Cross took charge of the school, and
maintained a presence there until 1990. During his forty years as Pastor, Father Bourgeois oversaw the construction of a new rectory and a new Church, the present one, in 1937, as well as a new convent and new buildings for elementary and high schools. A large development campaign, begun in 1957, with Judge J. Cleveland Fruge as General Chairman, provided funds for the school & convent projects and for the completion of the Church. Although the Church was occupied in 1937, it remained uncompleted until 1959, when the finishing work was done.
In 1938, Msgr. Bourgeois was joined by another priest who believed strongly in Catholic
education. Father Irving DeBlanc served as Assistant Pastor until December of 1949. Those
twelve years were a time of tremendous growth in numbers and vitality for the school, the
Church and the community. In 1940, a chapel was built in the Belaire Cove area to serve that community. The chapel is still being served by the priests of Sacred Heart Church.
Chapel History1970 - 1984
Msgr. Edward Fruge was Pastor 1970 and served as Pastor until 1981 He was well like by the Scared Heart parishioners. (He just loved to hunt & fish.)
He was followed, in turn, by Father Francis Bourgeois who was here for a very short time. He was not well and Sacred Heart being such a large parish was more than he could keep up with.1984 - 1993
Pastor,Msgr. Michael Jarrell, who began his tenure as Pastor in January of 1984. Msgr. Jarrell is assisted by the Reverend Thomas Montelaro, the Reverend Kenneth Domingue, the Reverend Michael Hebert, Deacon ( now an ordained priest) and the Reverend Doctor Harris Soileau, permanent Deacon. Msgr. Jarrell was here until he was ordained Bishop and appointed as Bishop to the Houma - Thiboudeax area
1993 - 1998
Our current Pastor, Reverend Father J. Robert Romero came to Sacred Heart Church in February, of 1993.
In October of 1993 Father "Bob", was assisted by Rev. Father Kenneth Domingue and Rev. Father Paul Bienvenu.
Today April, 1998, Father "Bob", is assisted by Reverend Father Matthew Roussel who came to the parish in June of 1996. With only two priest in a parish this size they are kept very busy with Baptism, Masses, Confession, Weddings, Visiting The Sick, and funerals. Father Bob is also kept busy with the task of overseeing the running of Sacred Heart School.
Dr.Harris Soileau our permanent Deacon and lay people help the Priests with some of the duties in our parish. They bring communion to Nursing Homes, to shut-ins and to people in the hospital.
In the past 5 years Father Bob has been here improvements have been made to the church and the school, in 1994 we added new pews, and repairs have been made to the church. Computers were add to both the Elementary and High School in the last year. The computers are all internet with each other and information can be shared and used to their benefit.
The new project, (April, 1998) is the Right to Life Monument that has been ordered for the front of the Church. The foundation has been poured and lighting has been added to enhance the Monument. This project is the joint effort of the K-C members and the Catholic Daughters, with the approval and help of Father Bob. Everyone has helped to make this possible, and it has been a project for the whole community. In July, 1998 we have a new associate Pastor, Father Paul Boussard.
He is now Bishop Mike Jarrell of Houma - Thiboudeax area.
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