Historical Marker

St. Landry Catholic Church

Historical marker location:
1020 N Main St,, Opelousas, Louisiana
( Marker is on East Church Street east of North Main Street (Louisiana Highway 182), on the right when traveling west.)

St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas, Louisiana, is a historically significant site in the United States. The church was established in 1767, making it one of the oldest Catholic churches in Louisiana. It was named after Saint Landry, the bishop of Paris who was known for his charitable work. The church played an important role in the history of the Opelousas area, serving as a center of worship, education, and social activities for the local Catholic community. It also served as a site for important events in the Civil Rights Movement, such as the desegregation of the church's schools in the 1960s. Additionally, St. Landry Catholic Church is known for its architecture, which features a blend of French and Spanish styles. The church has undergone several renovations over the years, including the addition of stained glass windows and a bell tower. In 1991, St. Landry Catholic Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its significance as a cultural and historical landmark in Louisiana.

! This location also has a designation of a National Register Listing.
buildings churches religion Roman Catholic denomination
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St. Landry Parish, located in southwestern Louisiana, has a rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years. The area was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Attakapas and Opelousas, before the arrival of European settlers. In the 18th century, French Acadian refugees known as the Cajuns began to settle in the region, establishing a strong farming and agricultural community.

St. Landry Parish was officially established in 1807, and was named after the Catholic Church of St. Landry in Opelousas. The early settlers primarily engaged in subsistence farming, hunting, and trapping, and developed close ties to the land. As the region continued to grow, cotton became the dominant crop and a major force in the local economy. The plantation system brought both wealth and slavery to St. Landry Parish, shaping much of its social and cultural history.

The parish played a significant role during the Civil War, with many local residents supporting the Confederacy. The area was invaded multiple times by Union forces, leading to significant destruction and loss. However, St. Landry Parish rebounded after the war, and diversified its agricultural industry to include sugarcane, rice, and livestock. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century further facilitated economic growth and increased connectivity to other parts of the state.

In the 20th century, St. Landry Parish continued to evolve. The discovery of oil brought prosperity to the region, and industrialization began to reshape the local economy. The parish also witnessed the Civil Rights Movement, with significant activism and efforts towards desegregation. Today, St. Landry Parish is a vibrant and culturally rich area, known for its Cajun and Creole heritage, lively music scene, and diverse agricultural production.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.

  • 1690: French explorer, Sieur Armand de Ville d'Orgeron, explores the area that will become St. Landry Parish
  • 1762: France cedes Louisiana to Spain through the Treaty of Fontainebleau
  • 1773: Jean-Francois Rivet establishes the first permanent settlement in the area
  • 1803: The Louisiana Purchase transfers the area from Spain back to France, and then to the United States
  • 1805: St. Landry Parish is officially established and named after the Catholic Church of St. Landry in Opelousas
  • 1819: Opelousas becomes the parish seat
  • 1824: The Courtableau Bayou Steamboat Company establishes a shipping route on Bayou Courtableau
  • 1838: The Opelousas Railroad is completed, connecting Opelousas to New Orleans
  • 1862: St. Landry Parish is occupied by Union forces during the Civil War
  • 1877: The Opelousas Massacre occurs, resulting in the deaths of several African Americans
  • 1927: The Great Mississippi Flood devastates the area, causing widespread destruction and displacement
  • 1965: Opelousas becomes the first city in the United States to elect an African American mayor since Reconstruction
  • 2005: St. Landry Parish is affected by Hurricane Katrina, causing significant damage and displacing residents