The current Diocese of Alexandria's roots can be found in Natchitoches, LA.  Natchitoches, being the oldest permanent settlement west of the Mississippi River, has great historic value.  From 1853 until 1910 Natchitoches was the See City of the Diocese of Natchitoches.  In 1910  the See City was transferred to Alexandria and the Diocese became known as the Diocese of Alexandria. The Church of the Immaculate Conception, in Natchitoches, Louisiana (established 1728), has the honor of being the Proto-Cathedral for the Diocese of Alexandria.  The bell, affectionately known as Marie, has rung uninterrupted from the Church of the Immaculate Conception three times daily since 1856. You may visit the Church and view the burial place of the first Bishop, Augustus Martin, original stained glass from 1910, Stations of the Cross from Moise of Paris, the early Bishop's throne chair and statues of Mary and Joseph that are believed to be from the original 1826 Church. 

Many of the historic artifacts that appear below the navigation in this site can be viewed at the Bishop Martin Museum in Natchitoches.  The Ladies Committee of the Bishop Martin Museum has restored the original Seminary (completed in 1856) and established a Museum, which houses many of the Diocese's finest objects of antiquity, in his honor. 

Just a few of the many artifacts that can be viewed are:

• Original Oil Paintings of Bishop Augustus Martin and Bishop Francis Xavier Leray
• The Carolingean Processional used in the Proto-Cathedral for 150 Consecutive Years
• A circa 1790's wooden statue of St. Francis, carved by Franciscan Friars in Mexico City and brought to Natchitoches in the mid 1800's
• Bishop Martin's Gold Cope, subsequent Bishop's Copes and Fiddlebacks and many other exquisite embroidered and handmade french lace items.  One particularly beautiful set can be viewed on the right.  It was hand embroidered by nuns at the Tsun Ye Mission at Yen Chou Fu, China
• A 1790's Relic of the True Cross
• A 1789 printed Graduale Romanum
• Several momentos of Europe brought over by Priests from their visits home, such as a souvenir from the opening of the Eiffel Tower in Paris,  and pieces from Sacre Coeur and Montmartre
• Sterling silver collection baskets, censers, aspergillum and aspersorium used in the early days of the Diocese
• A host maker, that resembles a branding iron, used to handcraft each of the hosts for mass
• A sick call set used to visit the surrounding plantations
• 1855 L'eveche - Bishop's residence - a raised Louisiana Creole cottage

The Museum is open by appointment only and is located on the corner of 2nd and Church Streets in downtown historic Natchitoches.  Please call (318) 352-3422 to schedule an appointment.

The rectory gardens and patio are open to guests.  Rose and tulip seasons are magnificent!

The Museum is fully wired and an alarm system installed.  Please do not knock on the doors or windows when visiting.