History of Our Lady of Guadalupe mission

In the early 1990’s, it became apparent there was a need in the Diocese of Alexandria for a Mission in Forest Hill to accommodate the spiritual needs of migrant workers and their families.

Before the Mission was established, the families were having the Spanish Mass at the cafeteria of the Forest Hill Academy. Mr. Bill Sansing obtained permission to use this facility with the help of Louisiana State Representative, Mr. Clyde Holloway. The Louisiana Conference United Methodist Church had a building for sale, and Mr. Sansing mediated to acquire it for the Mission.

Bishop Sam G. Jacobs, through the Development Office of the Diocese of Alexandria, asked for a grant to the Extension Society for the growing immigrant community. It just happened that a deceased lady, Mrs. Rosella Eannelli, had left some money to the Extension Society to build a Mission Church. Her one condition attached to the donation was that the Mission be named “Our Lady of Guadalupe.” The Extension Society gave Bishop Jacobs the amount of $12,500.

Through Msgr. Joseph Susi in Alexandria and Msgr. Edmund Moore in Monroe, Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church donated the altar and 16 pews. Mary Mother of Jesus Church in Woodworth, through Father Terry Allen, donated the Tabernacle. The Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Joseph Convent donated six small pews and kneelers, a small Tabernacle, Monstrance, Ambo, Sanctuary Candle Stand, and other small items.

The Mission was established on August 27, 1996, and the dedication took place on August 31, 1996, by Bishop Sam G. Jacobs. The first pastor was Fr. Pedro J. Sierra, a native of Colombia, South America. A new church building was dedicated for members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission in Forest Hill on December 12, 2002, at a Mass celebrated by Bishop Sam Jacobs.

The Extension Society contributed $57,500 to the new church, and the Kellogg family provided part of the land on which the church is built. The final cost of the project was $110,000. Much of the work that was done to get the new sanctuary ready for its first Mass was done by the members of the community themselves including laying the tile for the floor and completing the work on the ceiling. The altar was designed by Fr. Pedro.

Msgr. Susi was instrumental in bringing the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge from Mexico to the diocese to work in the Mission.

In 2008, the Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe became a Mission of St. Martin Church in Lecompte, and Fr. Pedro Sierra was assigned as Pastor of St. Martin and to take care of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission.