Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church at 32615 Bowie St. PO Box 249., White Castle, LA 70788-0249 US - Our Organization's History

As early as December of 1894, St. Paul parishioners living in the growing town of White Castle thought they could support a separate church parish. This would prove to be an uphill battle. Cold, snow and rain made the committee's first attempt to meet with Father P.M. Messardier, the Pastor of St. Paul's Church in Bayou Goula, almost impossible. On meeting, Father instructed the committee to take a new census to determine the extent of the Catholic population of White Castle. He also instructed them to secure land for a church building. The first Mass was celebrated on April 6, 1896, on Easter Sunday, by Rev. Charles Clark, then pastor of Bayou Goula. On January 10, 1897, the church was dedicated by Archbishop Francis Janssens and placed under the patronage of "Our Lady of Prompt Succor" whose assistance had been invoked at the start of the building process. For almost three years the church in White castle was a mission of Bayou Goula. OLPS officially became a separate parish in January, 1899. The first resident pastor was Rev. J.M. Beronnet, who died after a one year pastorate. Rev. Andrew DeMaurizi replaced Father Beronnet and remained pastor for over 50 years. On September 12, 1999, a Centennial Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated by the present pastor, Rev. Jules A. Brunet. In congratulation, Most Rev. Alfred C. Hughes, Bishop of Baton Rouge, wrote: "I thank God for the gift that Our Lady of Prompt Succor has been to the White Castle and surrounding community. I rejoice in the good people who have emerged from the formation offered in the parish and the education offered in the school who have taken their place in the wider community in a very important way. Most importantly, the church and school have helped people realize and fulfill the vocation God has given to them in an exemplary manner."

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