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St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Established in 1840, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Paincourtville is one of the oldest parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge. Although the current church is the third one to serve the people along Bayou Lafourche, it too is quite old, having celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2002. Affectionately referred to as The Gem of the Bayou, the beautiful gothic building was designed by LeSaicherre brothers, who were priests at the parish in the 1880's. From the magnificent Italian marble high-altar to the hand painted images painted on the cypress ceilings, St. Elizabeth Church is a glorious sight to behold. Perhaps the most interesting feature inside the church is the
10 paintings of the Great Heresies high along the nave of the church. These were painted
by two Mexican refugees who worked at night, high atop rickety scaffolding, using
only dull kerosene lanterns for light. Hundreds of sections of burlap feed-sacks, donated by the farming parishioners, were painstakingly sewn together and applied to the walls providing a perfect canvas for the decorative wall paintings. The brick used for the church’s construction, was also a local product, having been made at a brick factory just two blocks away. The exterior of the church looks much like it did in 1902, with the exception of the twin spires that once rose from the two bell towers. A storm in 1909 blew them down and they have yet to be replaced. Just behind the church is St. Elizabeth School which serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The school is one of the many vibrant signs of life in our parish of 400 families. Among the dedicated teachers are Carmelite sisters of the Congregation of Mother of Carmel. In the year 2000 St. Elizabeth was joined to its neighboring parish, St. Jules, in that the two parishes now share the same pastor. |
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