NOTE: Be sure to reference the Mass times located on each of the Pilgrim Site pages while planning your Pilgrimage to ensure that the location will be open during your visit.
Saturday: 4:00 pm
Sunday: 10:30 am
Weekdays: Tues.,Wed., Fri.: 7:30 am
Confession: Saturday 3:00-3:45 pm
In 1916, Fr. Nicholas Judermann, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Marksville, invited the Daughters of the Cross to establish a school for the black children of his parish. Land was donated by the sisters and with funds received from Mother Katherine Drexel a new school was built and furnished in Marksville.
The first classes met in the fall of 1917 with almost 100 students enrolled in that first year. On seeing the positive response to the school, Bishop Van de Ven invited the Holy Ghost Fathers to erect a church. In September, 1919, Fr. T.J. Nolan, C.S.Sp. became the first pastor. The parish’s first sanctuary was the stage of the school auditorium. The first Sunday mass saw 150 in attendance with 60 communicants. The collection totaled $8. Masses were held in the hall until a new church was built in 1923.
Black Catholics north of Marksville were encouraged to build a chapel in the Hickory Hill community. A used church was found and dedicated in honor of St. Richard. This chapel was served once a month by the Holy Ghost Fathers until better roads made it possible for a priest to reach the outlying community every Sunday. In the 1950’s, a new chapel was built on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. Hopsin Williams, Sr. The Holy Ghost Fathers served the parish throughout the twentieth century. In 1945, the Sisters of the Holy Family took over the administration of Holy Ghost School. The school struggled through integration and consolidation and was forced to close in 2000 due to rising costs and low enrollment. Diocesan priests took over when the Holy Ghost Fathers were forced to retire. Both churches continue to open their doors to all who wish to worship.
Mission: St. Richard’s Chapel – Hickory Hill
