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Our Lady Queen of Angels Church Parish
CHURCH HISTORY
In the early days of the summer of 1967, the Most Reverend Bishop Maurice Schexnayder
determined that a new Church parish should be established. This parish was to be known as Our Lady Queen of Angels, one of the titles of Our Lady taken from her Litany. This was in keeping with Bishop Schexnayder’s policy in naming every new Church he founded in the Lafayette Diocese. This new parish was to be located on the south side of Opelousas and was to draw parishioners from parts of St. Landry, Holy Ghost, St. Leo and St. Charles Borromeo Church parishes.
The first Pastor, Reverend Joseph C. Jaubert, arrived in June 1967. A meeting, attended by representatives of about 200 families, was held In the Teenage Center in South City Park for the purpose of forming the first steps necessary for the establishment of the new parish. For most people present the organization of a new Church parish was viewed as a big undertaking – and they were right. Soon, however, the new pastor’s enthusiasm, leadership and grasp of the problems involved became evident, and a feeling of anticipation and togetherness soon prevailed. The first Parish Council was formed at this meeting and Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish was on its way.
First came the problem of finding a temporary site for Sunday Mass. Through a very satisfactory arrangement with the St. Landry Parish School Board, the Opelousas High School Auditorium was made available. An altar set up in excellent view of the stage, the congregation seated in comfortable, theatre-type seats, air conditioning in the heat of summer, all made a satisfying interim arrangement. On weekdays Mass was celebrated in the homes of parishioners and in the former home of the Christian Brothers where the Pastor was domiciled. The many meetings that were necessary in those planning days were held in the homes of the counselors and in the meeting rooms of American Bank and Planter’s Bank.
Now came the serious and time-consuming work of organizing the new parish. Many devoted men and women drew together around their pastor and cheerfully and efficiently accomplished the many tasks presented.
A census was taken to determine the number of people included in the new Church division. The initial count indicated that 668 families lived within the geographical boundaries designated by Bishop Schexnayder. A Board of Trustees and Chairpersons for parish organizations were named to begin serving the need of the Church community. A secretary and two maintenance men were employed.
Next, the acquisition of the land for the Church building and the finances needed to purchase the land were accomplished in short order. At this time all parishioners were contacted and asked for financial donations and/or pledges to support the parish needs. These efforts were extremely successful and the Parish was financially on its way.
It was determined that the first building was to be a combination church and catechetical hall. It was to have a central section to be used as a temporary church, plus five classrooms on each side, living quarters for the Pastor in the rear and offices in the front. The ground breaking took place in January 1968. In October 1968 the first Mass was celebrated in the Church-Hall. A solemn High Mass preceded the Blessing of the new facility by Bishop Schexnayder.
The work of the Parish continued through this time and many people were actively involved in all phases of church work. Dedication and enthusiasm were evident and Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish was thriving. Active Church groups included the Ushers, the Ladies Altar Society, the Altar Server, the Choir, the Commentators, the Lay Ministers and the CCD Teachers.
On November 6, 1972, a new pastor came into our midst to assume leadership of Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish. Reverend Lloyd P. Hebert took to the task with such a spirit of dedication and zeal that in five weeks the debt on the Church hall was retired. In 1977, the Church property was enlarged through the purchase of an adjoining lot and house.
The Parish continued to grow and it soon became evident that it was time to consider the erection of a permanent church building. Therefore, the Pastor and the Parish Council approached an architect and requested preliminary design plans for this building. By early 1980 the plans were finalized, bids were let out and contract awarded for the construction of the building. An impressive ceremony was held in May of 1980, where parishioners symbolized their oneness with the Church by placing cups of soil brought from their homes to an excavation under the altar site.
Construction of the Church building was completed in November 1982. On November 13, 1982, Bishop Jude Spreyer of the Diocese of Lake Charles blessed the Church. Ten days later Bishop Gerard Frey of the Diocese of Lafayette dedicated the Church to Our Lady Queen of Angels.
The third Pastor, Reverend Millard Boyer, arrived in August of 1985. Father Boyer brought with him a great deal of dedication to hard work and an interest in continuing the enthusiasm of the parishioners in building a devotion to Our Lord. He also saw a need to have a permanent rectory in the Parish. Once again, the services of an architect were requested and plans for a rectory and a separate office building were commissioned. Shortly, these plans were approved and Bishop Harry J. Flynn of the Diocese of Lafayette gave permission for the buildings to be constructed. They were completed in September 1990. The dedication and Open House were held on November 26, 1990.
The Parish continued to grow and now numbered one thousand four hundred seventy-four (1474) families. Due to the growth, Rev. Gregory Downs arrived to serve as Associate Pastor in July 1991. His presence allowed for more activities to be made available for the parishioners. Father Downs was instrumental in establishing the Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel.
Our Lady Queen of Angels Church celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in October 1992. Bishop Harry J. Flynn of the Diocese of Lafayette was the principal celebrant of the Mass. He was assisted by Fathers Millard Boyer and Gregory Downs. At a “covered-dish” meal in the Parish Hall, Jim Durio traced the history of the Parish from its inception to date. It seemed to many in the audience that this Parish had indeed been blessed. The first twenty-five years had yielded an abundance of opportunities for its parishioners to truly be members of a wonderful Christian community.
Our fourth Pastor, Reverend Angelo Cremaldi, came to us on September 15, 1993. He had served as a Pastor at several parishes and as Father would often say, “God kept the best for last!”.
On February 24, 2000, Deacon Jerome Collins was ordained a Deacon and assigned to this Parish. Deacon Collins serves as Director of Religious Education and in so many other beautiful ways, especially in visiting the sick and helps with the Adoration Chapel.
Our Parish had also been blessed by having Monsignor Louis Melancon serve us from 2005 until 2010. Msgr. Melancon continues to serve Opelousas Catholic School and St. Landry Church.
Since 2004 our Church has a new steeple designed by Arthur “Manny” Veltin and constructed by Begnaud Manufacturing. In September 2005, a cry room window was installed in the church. December 2006 a platform was installed to allow the raising of the altar in church. This was in the original plans of the church’s construction. In January 2007, a new church sign was installed on LA Hwy 182.
Our newest additions have been the three Italian mosaics behind the Cross, and the statues of Mary and St. Joseph.
Fr. Cremaldi’s sense of humor, wit, and quiet leadership skills were highly regarded. His personal generosity to charities and Opelousas Catholic School is not well known but very significant. It was Fr. Cremaldi who began the traditional observance of Thanksgiving with covered dish suppers so his parishioners could socialize and get to know one another. This practice continues today.
Another tremendous hallmark of Fr. Cremaldi was his love, care, and devotion to the elderly. His willingness to take sick calls and funerals when it was inconvenient for others was certainly admirable. He showed and displayed a high degree of fiscal management in paying off all remaining debt on all church buildings, and saving over one million dollars in an interest-bearing account when he retired.
Fr. Cremaldi retired on June 21, 2010 and was replaced by the Reverend Monsignor Keith Joseph DeRouen.
Msgr. DeRouen has built upon the many existing ministries in the Parish. Many new ministries have come into existence. Our Teen Ministry has continued and includes not just High School but a vibrant Junior High Group. A Couples’ Group has been formed which provides the “Lectionary for Children” Ministry at the 10:30 Sunday Mass. A “Senior Angels Group” has been formed, which sponsors activities for the 55 plus. Dances and card games are two of the more popular activities, all done in fun and Christian playfulness. Being a liturgist, Monsignor places extreme importance on the Sunday assembly. Since his arrival, the liturgical ministries have expanded and of special note is the enhancement of the liturgical music for all the Masses.
In the late Fall of 2010, Msgr. Paul Metrejean, a native of Opelousas and a son of charter members of the Parish, Mary and Paul Metrejean, has been secured as the assisting Sacramental Minister and has blessed our Parish with inspiring homilies.
On August 25, 2012, Deacon William Pollingue was ordained a permanent Deacon and assigned to our Parish. Deacon Pollingue’s responsibility is Coordinator of all the Liturgical Ministries and is the go-to-person for this website..
Now fifty three years old, with over 1,700 families registered, the blessings continue as we face aging facilities and even more critical challenges that demand greater faith, more hope and deeper charity. Credit continues to be given to those first members of the Parish, many whom are now deceased or home-bound.
Ours is a blessed Parish where all are welcome and all are needed!