History of St. Charles Church

The growth of the Church at Goudeau dates back to before the War Between the States. At that time construction had just begun and because of the war and poverty that followed, all building was abandoned. Services were held several times a year in first one home and then another. Priests came from miles away to minister to the needs of the small community.

Finally, about 1894, a small chapel was erected on the property of Robert Morrow, property that he had acquired from his grandmother, Mrs. Marceline Morrow. A visiting priest conducted services about once a month, coming by buggy from either Cottonport or Plaucheville and spending the night at the Morrow home. Bishop Van de Ven came from Natchitoches at stated times to confer Confirmation.

In 1909, the little mission church was moved across the fields to its present site on the main road. This site is a two-acre plot of land donated by Mrs. Ella Goudeau Baldridge. At that time, the building acquired a steeple and ceiling. Father J. V. Plauche from Bunkie took over services at St. Anthony’s in 1928. Under his guidance, a new building was erected, the present St. Charles Church. By 1929, Mass was celebrated every Sunday by a priest from Evergreen.

In 1950, Father Leger Tremblay was appointed to Evergreen and Goudeau. It was under his guidance that the church was painted inside and out, and new pews were installed. In those years, the community (about 40 Catholic families) struggled merely to maintain a place of worship. In April 1955, Father Tremblay heard of a building for sale that seemed appropriate for a meeting hall for St. Charles Church. He talked the matter over with three members of the Morrow family. They agreed to purchase the building in memory of their parents.

At the same time, the L.P. Ray family, settled for many years at Goudeau, donated an outside Statue of our Lady of Grace. The statue is still located in front of the Church.

The opportunity to dedicate the Morrow Memorial Hall and to bless the Shrine presented itself when His Excellency Bishop Greco visited Goudeau on the occasion of a Confirmation in Evergreen on May 30, 1958.

In 1985, the present meeting hall was built under tenure of Monsignor Allen Chenevert. The hall was dedicated by His Excellency, Bishop William Friend.

In 2002, a lovely Grotto of The Risen Christ was erected under the administration of Rev. James Nellikunnel, C.M.I. The Grotto was contributed by parishioners and friends of St. Charles Church. The benches in front of the Grotto were donated by Gloria Tanner in memory of William “Dub” Tanner; by Gerald and Beryl Normand in memory of Ellis and Doris Slocum and Emeric and Frances Normand; and also by Carol and Darrell Tassin in memory of Robert and Mary “Tan” Adams.

In 2009, Gerald and Beryl Normand dedicated a granite Church sign for the St. Charles. A blessing of the sign was done by Rev. Dan Corkery on August 23, 2009.

Information provided by Beryl Normand, September, 2009.