Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church

A Historical Perspective
Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church
Many, Louisiana


According to the Archives at the Congregation of the Divine Providence in San Antonio, Texas, the earliest Catholic settlers of the Many area arrived in the late 1830's. At this time, the nearest Catholic chapel was located some 20 miles away on Bayou Scie.

From 1865 to 1870, the Catholic community at Many was served by a mission priest, Father John Francis Le Vezuet, from Natchitoches. Because there was no church, the priest had to say mass in private homes. He made only 3 or 4 visits a year.

The history of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church of Many began in 1870 when the first resident priest, Rev. J. A. Aubree, arrived. By 1871, the diligent work of Father Aubree and his parishioners resulted in the completion of a frame church.