St. Paul the Apostle, Baton Rouge

Industrial and educational opportunities offered by a growing Baton Rouge in the 1950s encouraged the migration of many African-American Catholics to Baton Rouge from the rural parishes of South Louisiana. Many settled in the Eden Park area and worshipped in Sacred Heart Parish, but feelings of identity loss and cultural differences prompted the formation of St.
Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.

The old Capitol Theatre on Capitol Avenue, now Gus Young Avenue, was reconstructed into the church. The floor of the church remained on a slant and the pastor’s living quarters were formed from the projection room. The church was dedicated in 1960 and Father Aubry F. Osborn, a native of Louisiana, was appointed the first pastor.

In 1962, the Society of the Divine Word was invited by Bishop Robert E. Tracy to take over the spiritual and temporal administration of the parish of St. Paul. Since that date, all priests appointed to the parish have been members of this order. A community center was constructed in the parish in 1969. This center housed summer programs, CCD classes, adult Bible study classes, meetings, wedding receptions and private parties. In the 1980s, two beautiful side altar pieces depicting the Holy Family and Jesus with the children were carved by local artist Emerson Bell for St. Paul Church. The modern crucifix in St. Paul Church was donated by Sacred Heart Church.

Over time, St. Paul has maintained a loving awareness of what it means to be Catholic and what it means to be African-American, stretching forth its arms vertically to God and horizontally to His People.