St. Joseph Catholic Church, Rayne La

St. Joseph Catholic Church, Rayne La St. Joseph Catholic Church is a Christ-centered Roman Catholic community of faith in Rayne Louisiana. The church of St. Napoleon J. In 1872, Fr. In 1880, Fr. Fr.

Joseph came into existence in 1872 under the pastorship of Most Rev. Perche, third Archbishop of New Orleans (1870 – 1883). The first church under the pastorship of St. Joseph was built on a ridge between the two settlements of Pouppeville and Castille on the Valsin LeBlanc plantation. Joseph Anthonioz, S.J., a widely known and devoted missionary became the first pastor, serving concurrently Churc

h Point and Mermentau. With the coming of the newly-built Southern Pacific Railroad, the present town of Rayne was growing fast. Anthonioz had the church raised on its foundation. Placing wooden wheels under it, rounded up 120 well yoked oxen and the one mile trek began. It took weeks before the church finally came to rest on its present location, a property formerly bought by the Jesuits. After the death of Fr. Anthonioz, the Jesuit fathers turned over the parish of St. Joseph to the Archdiocese, and Most Rev. Francis Janssens, fifth Archbishop of New Orleans, appointed Fr. Blaise Branche second pastor of St. Joseph’s. Two years after his arrival in Rayne, Fr. Branche undertook the building of the present rectory (1894). In 1899, Fr. Branche had a new church built (the second church) at a cost of $5,524. Amable Doutre served as the third pastor of St. Under his guidance, Mt. Carmel Academy progressed. By 1912, it was offering high school courses and in 1917 Alma Duclos became Mt. Carmel’s first graduate. In 1923, Fr. Hubert Lerschen arrived in Louisiana. One of his first moves on becoming the fourth pastor was to seek permission to take over the school directed by the Sisters of Mt. Carmel. Mother Clare, Superior General of the Sisters of Mt. Carmel, gave permission that St. Joseph Parish take over Mount Carmel Academy. On August 1, 1929, the parish acquired the property from the Sisters and Mount Carmel Academy became St. Joseph High School. The State Department of Education accredited St. Joseph School in 1930 as a Junior High and two years later gave accreditation as a Senior High. During Msgr. Lerschen’s pastorate, a third church was built in 1952, the beautiful imposing edifice which now serves the people of God of St. In 1963, Fr. Emery Labbe became the fifth pastor. Under Fr. Labbe’s pastorate, upon recommendation by the Diocesan Department of Education, the Catholic high schools of Acadia Parish were consolidated. Joseph, Rayne; St. Francis, Iota; and St. Michael’s, Crowley, consolidated in 1967 to become Notre Dame High School located in Crowley. As a result, St. Joseph became strictly an elementary unit. In 1971, St. Joseph and Our Mother of Mercy schools paired, and St. Joseph’s changed its name to Rayne Catholic Elementary.

Men-set your alarm!! That Man Is You! begins the fall season tomorrow!
09/07/2026

Men-set your alarm!! That Man Is You! begins the fall season tomorrow!

We still have some space left on our Couples’ Retreat. Reserve your spot before it fills up!
09/05/2026

We still have some space left on our Couples’ Retreat. Reserve your spot before it fills up!

Didn't receive a Parish Census email? You can still participate in our Parish Census! Simply scan the QR code in this w...
09/05/2026

Didn't receive a Parish Census email? You can still participate in our Parish Census! Simply scan the QR code in this weekend's bulletin or visit this link to complete the Parish Census Short Form.

If you received a Parish Census email, please use the link in that email to verify your household information. This helps us update your existing parish record and prevents duplicate records from being created. Thank you for helping us keep our parish family connected and our records up to date!

Please call the office at 337-334-2193 if you have questions or need assistance.

09/04/2026
Join us for First Saturday Mass tomorrow morning!
09/04/2026

Join us for First Saturday Mass tomorrow morning!

Plan to join us for First Friday Mass & Adoration tomorrow!
09/03/2026

Plan to join us for First Friday Mass & Adoration tomorrow!

Don't miss First Friday Mass & Adoration this Friday!
09/02/2026

Don't miss First Friday Mass & Adoration this Friday!

09/01/2026

🎶 WE'RE BACK! 🎶 Join the choir tonight for their first rehearsal!

The Carpenters Choir is back from summer break, and we're excited for a new season of singing, fellowship and serving our parish through music! Rehearsals begin tomorrow!
Think you can't sing? Think again! 😉
No experience is necessary—just a willingness to share your voice and your heart.
Come sing with us!
🎶 Sundays — 10 AM Mass
🎶 Rehearsals — Tuesdays at 6:30 PM September 1st
🎶 No experience necessary!
Come give us a try. You may just discover a ministry you love! ❤️

Exciting year ahead for Babyberries!For children under 5yrs old
09/01/2026

Exciting year ahead for Babyberries!
For children under 5yrs old

Address

401 S Adams Avenue
Rayne, LA
70578

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 2pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 12pm

Telephone

+13373342193

Website

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