St. Mary Church, Winnsboro

Welcome

History

Using texts like "History of the Missions of the Ouachita," much can be learned about this little parish with a big history.  In the year 1859, St. Mary's Catholic Church was a mission of St. Matthew's Parish; Fr. Gergaud first visited the mission of Winnsboro in August 1859.  Fr. Gergaud said Mass at the home of L. Zimm, preached in the local courthouse, and even won three converts for the Faith.

In 1904, Winnsboro became a mission of Our Lady of Lourdes in Vidalia until approximately 1923; at this time, it was assigned to Sacred Heart in Rayville.  Once again in the years following this assignment, St. Mary's reverted back to being under Vidalia's care until 1936 when it again was assigned back to Rayville.  In 1941, it became a mission of St. Paschal's in West Monroe; this arrangement would remain until 1944.  On September 30, 1945, St. Mary's was established as a parish and staffed by the Josephite Fathers until 1963.

Under the administration of Fr. Daniel Corkery, a hall was built, followed by St. Patrick's, the mission church at Fort Necessity, and a new rectory. The mission at Fort Necessity was discontinued around 1994.

-From the Diocesan Archives