The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was established in 1831 as a mission post and, later, as a full parish under the auspices of the Diocese of Natchitoches, which is now the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana. The present Church was built in 1851 and stands as the oldest all-wood Antebellum Church in the diocese and one of the oldest in the south.

The years of the Civil War and the upheaval that followed, was a time of both polarization and unification. The animosities of the region ended in a stratification of classes; white, black, mulatto. The main unifying factor was general poverty. These were hard economic times for everyone. The Church remained a central rallying point through these dark days.

In 1885, Fr. Anthony Durier was ordained Bishop of North Louisiana. He saw how the lack of Catholic education was effecting the progress of rebuilding and the need for a school in each parish. Sister Florence, a member of the order of the Sisters of Divine Providence agreed to provide six teachers for North Louisiana. In 1894, Saint Cecilia School was established at Campti. It's memory remains a living, breathing part of the faith in our rural parish.

The faithful of the Church come from a variety of backgrounds as diverse as the history and culture of North Louisiana - which accounts for the authenticity, honesty and joy with which life is led even in hard economic times.

The pastor and the faithful of the Nativity of the BVM and its mission hope you enjoy yourself and pray for us as you explore this site. Our Weekly Bulletin, as well as more historical data, can be seen on our official website.

The Sacred Liturgy

The celebration of the Holy Mass and the keeping of the Church's Liturgical Calendar set the tone for our lives here in Campti. The yearly cycle of Sundays and saints is intermingled with the monthly cycle of first Fridays and First Saturdays and the weekly cycle of Wednesday Benediction and Saturday devotions to Our Lady.

Apostolates, Organizations and Societies

CCD (Religious Instruction for Children) is held at our parish hall on Wednesdays throughout the School Year. We accept children as young as 4.

Quarterly, our adults have the opportunity to grow in their knowledge and love of God through sermons, missions and bible studies.

Our Ladies' Altar Societies and Ladies' Auxiliary generously serves the Church and Our Lord in their careful attention to the cleanliness of the Church itself and of our linens and vesture. They also provide most graciously for parish meals and in the difficult moments of loss at parish funerals and burials. Even our parish bingos have become much more than simple fundraisers... They are community entertainment and congregation in our small communities where restaurants and movie theaters mean an hour's drive.

Our Knights of Columbus parish Round Table, a subset of Natchitoches Council #1537, is very active in their support of the parish grounds, the needs of the parishioners and in providing opportunity for charitable giving.

Location