Church Timeline

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From St. Charles Parish: A Pictorial History

After almost 150 years of Catholic dominance, the emergence of Protestant churches on the German Coast began. New Catholic and Protestant churches continued to be established in the 20th Century.

  • 1806: Original St. Charles Log Church in Destrehan burns and is replaced by wood-framed church painted red (Little Red Church).
  • 1859: First Protestant church is organized on Old Spanish Trail.
  • 1862: St. James Methodist Church is established in Hahnville.
  • 1865: Bethlehem Baptist Church in Hahnville is founded by African American missionaries.
  • 1866: L’Eglise Notre Dame du Rosaire (Our Lady of the Rosary) Chapel is established in Taft.
  • 1866: Baptist Church, Killona, is established.
  • 1895: Mount Airy Baptist Church of Boutte is established.
  • 1897: St. Matthew Baptist Church, New Sarpy, is established.

St. Matthew Baptist Church
St. Matthew Baptist Church, New Sarpy, 1897. Used as a school for children of color. Courtesy of Joseph Schexnayder.

Ross Plantation Church
This old church was located on what was formerly the Rost Plantation, then the Pan-American Petroleum Corporation refinery. It was used as a colored school and church. Source: St. Charles Parish Resources and Facilities Publication, 1948.

Bethlehem Baptist Church
Bethlehem Baptist Church in Hahnville, 1865. Founded by African American missionaries.

L’Englise Notre Dame du Rosaire Catholic Chapel
L’Englise Notre Dame du Rosaire Catholic Chapel (Our Lady of the Holy Rosary) in Taft, 1866–1964. Only the cemetery remains.

St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Mission Chapel
St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Mission Chapel in Des Allemands, 1901.

St. James Methodist Church
St. James Methodist Church in Hahnville, 1862. Land was donated by Gov. Hahn to build a church. The church was also used as a school.

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Mission Chapel
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Mission Chapel in Luling, 1902.

Paradis Presbyterian Church
Paradis Presbyterian Church, 1914. It became St. Andrew Episcopal Church in 1967.

St. Mark Catholic Mission Chapel
St. Mark Catholic Mission Chapel in Ama, built circa 1912.

St. John the Baptist Church
St. John the Baptist Church in Paradis.

St. Isidore “The Farmer” Catholic Chapel
St. Isidore “The Farmer” Catholic Chapel in Montz, 1924. It was destroyed by Hurricane Betsy in 1964.

First Communion Processional
First Communion processional to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Luling.

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Luling, 1926.