During the summer of 1975, a group of parishioners from St. Thomas More and St. George parishes met to discuss the development of a new church in their area. On November 10, 1975, their discussions came to fruition when St. Jean Vianney Parish was founded. Father Eugene Engels was appointed as first pastor. The first purchase made on behalf of St. Jean Vianney was 17.5 acres of wooded property on South Harrell’s Ferry Road.
A small green house was rented as a rectory, and it soon became known as the “Green Shack.” It served as rectory, daily Mass chapel and parish office. The little house was the heart of the parish for nearly a year until the first parish building was completed in 1976. Father Engels celebrated Sunday Mass further down South Harrell’s Ferry Road at the Elks Lodge, which was a part of Runnels School. Father Engels wanted the parish to retain a connection with the French heritage of the Curé d’Ars, thus St. Jean and not St. John!
Over time, the original purchase of 17.5 wooded acres was developed into a beautiful parish complex, with numerous buildings nestled among the trees. Among the new buildings was the Parish Life Center built in 1977. The building was used as the center of the worship community for the next 21 years until the completion of the permanent church, after which time it was rededicated as Father Engels Hall.
In 1980, the Early Learning and Growth Center was begun to provide early learning education in a Catholic Christian environment. The center continues today serving families with children ages 1 to 3 years. In 1985, a parish elementary school was founded. The school opened in time for the 1985-86 school year with an enrollment of 100 students. The steady growth of the parish and the increased enrollment at the elementary school led to the construction of further school buildings in 1992. At this time the school includes grades Pre-Kindergarten through 8.
Under the pastorate of Fr. Donald Blanchard discussions began in earnest in the early 1990s regarding the development of plans for a permanent church for the parish. After two years of construction, the new church was dedicated by Bishop Alfred Hughes on November 28, 1998. The church has received numerous awards for its boldness and simplicity of design, as well as for the beauty of its many works of bronze sculpture designed by California artist Max DeMoss.
St. Jean Vianney continues to be a vital Catholic parish in east Baton Rouge, centered on a variety of ministries of religious education for adults and children, faithful service to the needy, a rich liturgical life, and a desire to grow in the discipleship of Christ through the Church.