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CHURCH
HISTORY
From the Archives At the request of Most Reverend
Daniel F. Desmond, D.D., the Bishop of Alexandria, the Very Reverend Vincent Schrempp,
O.F.M., Provincial of the Sacred Heart Province of Franciscans in the United States, sent
three Franciscan priests into this Diocese. At the summer chapter of the Sacred Heart Province held July 10, 1940, the Rev. Henry Freiburg, O.F.M., was assigned to open a new parish in the city of West Monroe, across the Ouachita River from Monroe. Rev. Jasper Mauss, O.F.M., was assigned as his assistant. Fr. Jasper arrived in Monroe July 20, 1940, and Fr. Henry came July 24. These Fathers took up temporary residence at St. Francis Hospital. BEGINNING OF THE PARISH
His Excellency, Bishop
Desmond, prior to arrival of the Franciscans, had procured a large piece of property on
North Seventh Street in West Monroe to be used for parish purposes. The property was about one block square. An early and constant benefactor of the West
Monroe parish, Mr. Thomas H. McMillan, quietly purchased this property in his name and
later sold it to the Bishop. The first piece
of property was in reality one-half of a two block area; it seemed desirable to get it in
its entirety for the future needs of the parish. After
the Fathers came, efforts were made immediately to acquire the second half of this tract. Six lots of the desired second half were donated
by a generous citizen of Monroe, Mr. John Spatafora.
When Mr. Spatafora was approached for this donation on the feast of the
Assumption August 15, 1940, he heartily consented with the words: “I give to Jesus Christ six lots.” On one of the three remaining lots a
new little home was being built. On the feast of the Seven Joys of Mary, August 22, 1940,
again through the efforts of Mr. McMillan, this little four-room house and lot were
purchased for $1,500.00. On June 10, 1041 the final lots were
finally secured. The entire tract of two square blocks now was St. Paschal’s. FIRST FRIARY FOR THE FATHERS
The little house, referred to
above, was moved to the opposite side of the property, namely, from Wilson to Woodrow
Street. It was place on the spot where it
would some day serve as a Sisters’ Convent. It
was used by the Fathers in those first months of getting established and until such time
as the large new friary would be built. The
little home was known as “St. Paschal’s on the Range” as it was not
uncommon to have the neighborhood cows pay the Fathers many a familiar visit and graze
contentedly in the early morning near the bedroom windows.
SCOPE OF ACTIVITY
Bishop Desmond came often to visit the Fathers, and discussion centered on the extent of their activity. On October 28, 1940 an official letter came from His Excellency giving the Franciscans perpetual charge of the 4 ½ parishes (counties) and temporary charge of a fifth. The parishes were: Ouachita Parish, west of the Ouachita River, Union Parish, Lincoln Parish, Morehouse Parish, Richland Parish, and temporarily Franklin Parish. These parishes covered an area of more the 3,143 square miles. BEGINNING OF ST. PASCHAL’S PARISH
A mass meeting of the West Monroe Catholics was held Monday evening, September 16, 1940, in the auditorium of St. Matthew’s School in Monroe. Rev. Henry Freiburg presided. Plans for the erection of a new church and the raising of funds were discussed. The drive for funds began throughout
the Twin Cities on November 24, 1940. Over
$2,000.00 was realized the first week. Plans
for the church were drawn up by Mr. H. H. Land, a local architect. Mr. C. C. Burkett, a member of the parish, was
accorded the contract. THE NEW CHURCH
On October 26, 1940, His Excellency,
Bishop Desmond, blessed the ground and turned the first spade full of dirt. On Tuesday, October 29, workmen began digging
holes for the foundation footings. Work progressed rapidly and the
church was unofficially opened when the pastor, Fr. Henry, celebrated Midnight Mass on
Christmas 1940. It was a coincidence that the
young man, Arlin Turner, who served this first Mass in St. Paschal’s was later on,
the first and only causalty of the parish in World War II.
On Sunday, January 19, 1941, the
Very Rev. Vincent Schrempp, O.F.M., celebrated High Mass at 9:00AM in the new church; and
at 10:00AM the church was formally dedicated and blessed by His Excellency, Bishop
Desmond. Daily Mass began the next day. THE CEMETERY
On March 31, 1943, five acres of land were purchased from the City of West Monroe to be used for cemetery purposes. MAUSOLEUM Late in 1963 plans approved by His Excellency Bishop Greco, D.D., were made to erect a Mausoleum in St. Paschal’s Cemetery. It will contain some 50 crypts. Fr. Arsenius Gatzmeier, O.F.M., succeeded Fr. Henry Freiburg, O.F.M., as pastor and superior, January 21, 1946. During his pastorate, St. Paschal’s High School was established. In the fall of 1947 the first freshman class began their high school career as the pioneers of a cherished dream of this little community. July 14, 1948, Fr. Natalis Wellner, who was in charge of St. Francis Hospital, was made superior and pastor of St. Paschal’s. Fr. Arsenius took the place of Fr. Natalis at the Institutions. In November of 1949, Fr. Oswin Kemner, O.F.M. arrived to take up the duties of assistant pastor. Father engineered the erection of the altars in the first church. Fr. Odo Schmalz, O.F.M. succeeded Fr. Natalis as pastor in 1950, and provided for much needed expansion in the elementary division of the school. Under his pastorate the facilities of the school gym were realized in the fall of 1952. August 12, 1954 – Fr. Vitus Duschinsky, O.F.M., came to St. Paschal’s as Pastor and Superior; and Fr. Finian McMullin, O.F.M., as assistant pastor of St. Paschal’s. Within a year after his arrival Fr. Vitus set up a 20-year building program. This was to include a new school and church within 10 years. Early in 1955 preliminary plans were made for a Mission church in Calhoun, LA. Holy Mass was celebrated for the first time at Calhoun, LA in the home of Mrs. L. F. Rolleigh on Sunday, April 24, 1955. This marked the beginning of the new Mission of St. Francis of Assisi. It will be attended from St. Paschal’s. Fr. Finian was in charge and supervised the work of building the new mission chapel on Highway 80. (See the History of St. Francis of Assisi Church) Fr. Gale White, O.F.M., celebrated his first Solemn Mass at St. Paschal’s at 9:00AM, July 1, 1956. He was assisted by Fr. Henry Freiburg, O.F.M., first pastor of St. Paschal’s, as Deacon’ Fr. Vitus Duschinsky, O.F.M., pastor of St. Paschal’s as SubDeacon and Monsignor John C. Vandegaer, pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Shreveport, LA as Arch-priest. Fr. Henry preached the festive sermon. Fr. Gale is the first priest-son of St. Paschal’s and the entire parish paid tribute to the newly ordained Franciscan. Early in 1957 plans were laid for inaugurating a drive for $200,000.00 at St. Paschal’s for a new church and elementary school. Fr. Vitus, and committeemen Norman Many and Richard Jolissaint, estimated that between $80,000.00 and $100,000.00 in cash will be needed before actual construction can begin. At that time, 1957, 250 Catholic families were listed on the parish records, the Catholic population was rapidly increasing. At the present time, 2000, St. Paschal's numbers 600 families. June 10, 1963, was a RED LETTER day
for St. Paschal’s parish! Bishop Greco
gave official approval for construction of St. Paschal’s new church. Actual construction began on July 9, 1963. The new church was completed in November 1964 and
solemnly blessed and dedicated December 16, 1964 by His Excellency Bishop Charles D.
Greco.
THE TRADITION OF ST. PASCHAL’SA timeline of its history The Rev. Henry Freiburg, O.F.M.1940 – 1946 July 10, 1940 Father Henry is assigned to start a Catholic church in West Monroe, serving 75 families. Oct. 2, 1940 The first friary is open. It will later serve as the sisters’ convent. Oct. 26, 1940 Groundbreaking for the first St. Paschal’s Church. Nov. 24, 1940 First fund-raising drive for the church begins. The church is designed by H. H. Land. Dec. 25, 1940 First Mass in the new church is the Christmas Midnight Mass. Jan. 19, 1941 The church is dedicated at a Mass celebrated by the Very Rev. Vincent Schrempp, O.F.M., Franciscan Provincial, and Bishop Daniel Desmond, D.D., Bishop of Alexandria. May 5, 1941 School groundbreaking. Sep. 26, 1941 Three Franciscan Sisters arrive to teach in the parish school. Sep. 29, 1941 Classes open with 38 children. Summer 1944 A cafeteria is built with the permission of the War Production Board; it doubles as a parish hall. World War II One parishioner dies – Arlin Turner.
The Rev. Arsenius Gatzemeier, O.F.M.Jan 21, 1946 – July 14, 1948 The shortest term as St. Paschal’s pastor is marked with the establishment of St. Paschal’s High School. The freshman class begins attending in the fall of 1947.
The Rev. Natalis Wellner, O.F.M.July 14, 1948 – 1950 The emphasis of the parish during Father Natalis’ pastorate is the parish high school. Two Army buildings are moved from an Alexandria base and reassembled on the parish property to house the high school. The Rev. Odo Schmalz, O.F.M.1950 – August 12, 1954 The pastorate of Father Odo concentrates on the expansion of the elementary division of the school Fall 1952 Work is completed on the school gym. The Rev. Vitus Duschinsky, O.F.M.August 12, 1954 – 1965 1955 St. Paschal’s staffs a new mission, St. Francis Church in Calhoun; Mass is celebrated there on April 24, 1955, for the first time. Feb. 1, 1956 Fire strikes the old high school building. July 1, 1956 Father Gale White, first parishioner from St. Paschal’s to be ordained a priest, celebrates his first Mass. Early 1957 A fund-raising drive begins for the construction of a new church and a new school. Dec. 3, 1958 Bishop Charles Greco, D.D., dedicates the new St. Paschal’s School. July 9, 1963 Groundbreaking for the current church. Nov. 16, 1964 St. Paschal’s second church is solemnly blessed and dedicated by Bishop Charles Greco, D.D. The old church is renovated in 1965 for use as a parish hall and meeting room.
The Rev. Jordan Schell, O.F.M.1965 -- June 1974 May 28, 1967 Fr. Vitus returns to celebrate his silver anniversary as a Franciscan priest. Sep. 15, 1971 First meeting of the Parents-Teachers Club. Oct. 16, 1973 Fire destroys the parish hall. The Rev. Kevin Domas, O.F.M.June 1974 – June 1983 June 1974 William Spencer, O.F.M., is the second parishioner from St. Paschal’s to become a priest when he is ordained on June 15, 1974. He celebrates his first Mass at St. Paschal’s. April 17, 1977 The new parish hall is dedicated with a Mass celebrated by Bishop P. Graves, D.D.; the Rev. Paul Francis Roberts, O.F.M., Vicar Provincial; the Rev. Innocent Swoboda, O.F.M., Provincial Procurator for the Franciscan missionary Union; the Rev. Kevin Domas, O.F.M., Pastor; and the Rev. Gracian Nosal, O.F.M., Associate Pastor. 1980 School expansion is completed, including a classroom for kindergarten. Jan. 23, 1982 Brother Paul Gallagher, O.F.M., assigned to assist Fr. Kevin at St. Paschal’s, is ordained to the priesthood by the most Rev. James P. Lyke, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland and a Franciscan. Fr. Paul remains at St. Paschal’s as associate pastor. The Rev. Charles Potocki, O.F.M.June 29, 1983 – 1990 June 29, 1983 Fr. Charles Potocki, O.F.M., arrives from St. Paul, MN. Fall 1983 Kindergarten is opened. June 28, 1986 Clarence Wisdom is ordained a deacon. July 30, 1986 Diocese of Shreveport is established and Bishop Friend is installed as its first bishop. Dec. 25, 1989 50th Midnight Mass is celebrated at St. Paschal’s. The Rev. Robert Leonhardt, O.F.M.July 1990 – August, 1998 Oct. 1990 Jubilee year dinner and dance. 1993 St. Francis room in the Parish Hall was remodeled and dedicated to Fr. Kevin Domas, O.F.M., and Fr. Charles Potocki, O.F.M. Sept. 1996 At the St. Paschal Pastoral Council's Day of Recollection, the future of our church and the shortage of priests was discussed. Jan. 1997 St. Paschal and St. Francis Pastoral Councils met to explore the idea of combining churches. April 1997 Survey regarding the merger and new location was done of all parishioners from both churches. (78%-yes, 22%-no) June 10, 1998 Bishop Friend travels to West Monroe for a meeting held in the St. Francis room of St. Paschal church. Both churches had representatives present. July 1998 Initial meeting of St. Paschal representatives to serve on the Land, Building, and Finance Committees. The Rev. Mike Haney, O.F.M. |
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