Historic church parishes launch capital campaign

They sit only miles apart, their roots dug deepep into the fertile soil along Bayou Lafourche, their traditions enchanting chapters of life along the bayou when settlers were still discovering Louisiana’s vast richness as well as meeting relatives who had earlier fled from the horrors of Nova Scotia.

St. Elizabeth Church in Paincourtville and St. Jules Church in Belle Rose, each with their own individual legacies, were forever linked in 2000 when they were clustered into one by the Diocese of Baton Rouge. They share the same pastor and staff, but have been able to maintain their own identifies.

The churches also are experiencing signs of aging as they each prepare for milestone anniversaries in five years when St. Elizabeth celebrates its 125th anniversary and St. Jules its 75th.

In an effort to secure the future viability of each church, pastor Father Tomi Thomas INS has launched a combined Save Our Treasures capital campaign. The goal is to raise $2.5 million for St. Elizabeth and $1 million for St. Jules.

“Now it is our turn to make these places 

of worship beautiful and vibrant,” he said. “If we do our part today, many more generations will come through our churches to adore and worship the Lord.”

Father Thomas said a 2016 assessment detailed renovations needed to St. Elizabeth to preserve the church’s integrity.

Through the years, a need has been pointed out by St. Jules parishioners for preservation of the stained-glass windows and renovations to the parish hall and rectory.

“(The campaign) is an opportunity for all of us to become more closely united, to recommit ourselves to our Catholic faith and our presence here in Belle Rose and Paincourtville,” Father Thomas said.

St. Elizabeth traces its roots to 1840 when the original church was completed. Six years later, the Carmelite Sisters founded a school, which thrives today, more than 175 years later.

A fire destroyed the church in 1857 and was soon replaced by a wooden structure.

In 1902, as the community grew, the current Gothic-styled church was completed and quickly became known as “Queen of the Bayou.” Construction took 13 years because the bricks were made locally by community members.

Since opening, there have been more than 5,000 baptisms, nearly 1,400 weddings and more than 3,200 funerals performed at the current church.

Additionally, close to 4,000 students have made their First Communion and another 3,800 students confirmed in the church.

The 2016 assessment identified a list of areas which needed to be repaired to secure the church’s future, including but not limited to replacing a structural beam, replacing a wooded interior veneer above the damaged beams, repair the damaged wood caused by a beetle infestation of side altars and hand painting the interior of the church.

St. Jules Church was founded in 1882, with the original location on the east side of Bayou Lafourche, in a community known as Valenzuela. In 1945, the majority of parishioners were living on the west side of the bayou, so plans began to move the “Gem of the Bayou” to the west side.

By 1953, a new church was completed, with the windows, pews and bell relocated from the church located on the east side of the bayou.

A new rectory was also built.

The building currently has water intrusion issues, the bathrooms need upgrading, the air conditioners replaced and the windows need to be repaired, among other items.

“The faith of our combined churches will propel us into the future for the glory of God,” Father Thomas said.