history

 

In January 1965, the Most Rev. Archbishop John Cody of the Archdiocese of New Orleans officially established St. Andrew as a parish. However, in the fall of 1965 Hurricane Betsy made the wooden church unsafe and a new church was built on a new site. As the new church was being built, daily Mass was held in the rectory and later in the camp of Mr. and Mrs. Roland Verret Jr, while Sunday Mass was offered in the Aucoin Elementary School cafeteria. The dedication of the new church by Archbishop Philip Hannan of New Orleans took place on November 20, 1966. The bell from the old church was dedicated in memory of Fr. Andrew Souby and placed in front of the new church where it can be seen today. Priests from Sacred heart in Morgan City continued to serve St. Andrew Mission after the time of Fr. Souby.

The mausoleum was built on the site of the old church in 1973. In the early 70’s a parish hall was built and in 1984 a C.C.D. building which put the parish in debt but ended a long pilgrimage for religious education from home to home. The Cajun Food Festival (the parish fair) used to help support the parish and was held in September or October.

Fr. Adrian Caillouet served as the first pastor until June 1972.

The other pastors who followed were:

Msgr. Albert Bergeron 1972-1975;

Msgr. Robert Vincent 1975-1985;

Fr. Warren Chassaniol; 1985-1992;

Fr. Joseph Pilola 1992-1995;

Fr. Charles Perkins 1995-2003.

Fr. Greg Fratt 2003-2007

Fr. Evelio “Toto” Buenaflor Jr. 2007-2011

Fr. Joseph Chacko 2011- 2017

Fr. Duc Bui 2017 -July 1, 2018

Fr. Robert Joel Cruz  July 1, 2018-July 1, 2020

Fr. Joseph Chacko is our current pastor