History of St. Augustine church parish

by Dr. Mark Guidry, President, St. Augustine Historical Society

St. Augustine Catholic Church on Isle Brevelle is nationally recognized for its significance to a Creole heritage dating back to colonial Louisiana and to the founding of Natchitoches – the oldest settlement of the Louisiana Territory.

Most parishioners are descendants of the 10 siblings of Frenchman, Claude Thomas Metoyer, and a formerly enslaved woman, Marie Thereze, born and raised in the household of another Frenchmen, Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, who founded Natchitoches in 1714.

Against all odds and modern comprehension, their love and their Catholic faith produced a lasting alliance, ten (10) children, and a solid foundation for a faith-based, multicultural Creole community and heritage.

By family tradition, their oldest son, Augustin Metoyer, acquired a vision when in 1801 he accompanied his father to his motherland home in France.  There, he was struck by the presence of a church in every French village.  He returned to French Louisiana determined to establish a church for the people of Isle Brevelle.  With the assistance of his younger brother, Louis (who established the still existent Melrose plantation), the first chapel was built on Augustin’s plantation in 1803.

Widely known as “Grandpere” (“Grandfather,” in English), Augustin wrote this sentence in a letter to a friend: “in one way or another, I am sure that having a house of the good God in our midst, our people will live a better life, will love one another, and will live in harmony.”

The early plantation chapel was used by travelling priests to perform Mass and sacraments for Grandpere’s family and relatives.  In 1829, it became a mission church to St. Francis of Natchitoches (now, immaculate Conception), blessed by Father John Baptist Blanc who noted it was built “to propagate the principles of our holy religion.”  In 1836, Grandpere outlined his intention to donate the land, church, and cemetary “to serve both his family and others who professed the holy, Catholic, apostolic, and Roman religion.”

In March 1856, at the age of 88 years, Grandpere Augustin’s final wish came true.  Bishop Auguste Martin decreed St. Augustine a parish church and commended Grandpere for his faithful determination.  He then appointed his brother, Father François Martin, the first resident priest.  Dream fulfilled, Augustin Metoyer died a few months later in December 1856.

Over the years, the descendants of the Frenchman and former slave worked together to sustain its church and their creole culture.  Together, they acquired over 18,000 acres of plantation land.  Isolated and self-sufficient, they survived many tests of time – the dramatic change from French to American society; a devastating civil war; complexities of being caught in the middle of American racial issues; world wars; family migrations; and much more.

By the grace of God, St. Augustine’s parish community and its unique Creole heritage has been preserved.  Spiritually advised by Father Frances Smith, a group of parishioners formed the St. Augustine Historical Society (SAHS) in 1979.  It’s first task was to acquire the Badin-Roque House which was the first convent for French Daughters of the Cross nuns who came in 1856 to educate the parish children.  Architecturally, this 1770’s house is one-of-a-kind in Louisiana and a GoFundMe page has been established to address current restoration needs.  In 2016, the church achieved the distinction of being nationally registered as a traditional cultural center – a first in the state of Louisiana.

Church history outlines many significant milestones…  Holy Ghost Fathers served the parish and missions from 1916 until 1990 when the first diocesan priest, Father James Ferguson, was named as pastor.  In February 24, 2001, Bishop Sam G. Jacobs rededicated St. Augustine Church after renovations.  Since then, the parish began to install stained-glass windows which were completed in 2017 with a subsequent blessing by Bishop David Talley.

Today, the church boasts a large choir, active youth group, vacation bible school, various scriptural studies, and a very popular church fair which attracts descendants from across the country who take an annual pilgrimage to their ‘cultural home.’   The Holy Name Society and Christian Mothers remain prayerfully active and supportive of parish life.  The Providence Mission, founded by the late Sisters Ida Marie and Marcella Marie Frazier, continues its mission of helping the poor throughout the year.

The history of St. Augustine parish is a remarkable journey of faith and leadership.  With vision and fortitude, a legacy of faith has transcended over 200 years, welcoming and calling the faithful to worship.

St. Augustine has a mission: St. Anne Chapel