FORCES OF HISTORY
Forces of History is an attempt to capture a bit of the history of
Immaculate Conception Church in Charenton, Louisiana. The
church celebrated 160 years of existence in 2004. The book looks
at some of the families who have been involved in that history over
160 years. It also looks at some of the pastors who have served
this parish.
The history is based on documents in the files of the Archdiocese
of New Orleans, from our own records, from oral history, and from
oral and written history of the Chitimacha nation.
Charenton is a small community. Still, according to our sacramental
records we have persons from at least 20 different nations who
have contributed to our history.
Forces of History is being revised. For a fuller idea of our history
see the material below and the table of contents on the left.
Forces of History is an attempt to capture a bit of the history of
Immaculate Conception Church in Charenton, Louisiana. The
church celebrated 160 years of existence in 2004. The book looks
at some of the families who have been involved in that history over
160 years. It also looks at some of the pastors who have served
this parish.
The history is based on documents in the files of the Archdiocese
of New Orleans, from our own records, from oral history, and from
oral and written history of the Chitimacha nation.
Charenton is a small community. Still, according to our sacramental
records we have persons from at least 20 different nations who
have contributed to our history.
Forces of History is being revised. For a fuller idea of our history
see the material below and the table of contents on the left.
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FLAGS OF CHARENTON
As you approach Charenton from Louisiana highway 87 and cross the Bayou Teche Bridge
you will see a lovely display of flags. These 25 flags tell the story of our area. Before anyone
else was here the Chitimacha Nation settled here. We honor that presence with the
CHITIMACHA flag. There were missionaries and settlers from SPAIN. Some of the
Chitimacha were taken as prisoners back to SPAIN. One of the early families was the
Rodriquez family. One member of the family was a member of the Spanish infantry. Another
early family in Charenton was the Marcotte family. They were originally from France but came
here after living some time in Montreal, CANADA. The Acadians were exiled and eventually
also migrated here from ACADIA.In recent years they have developed an ACADIAN FLAG.
John Law came to the area to exploit it. He was from SCOTLAND even though he came
under the protection and with the financial backing of the King of FRANCE. Later persons
from Scotland came into this area to harvest the timber. We note each presence with the
flags of SCOTLAND and FRANCE.
For several years the British flag flew over much of this area. Before the local church was
founded, The UNITED STATES purchased Louisiana from France.
Among the earliest white explorers and settlers there were always Catholic missionaries.
This presence is symbolized by the VATICAN flag. Some of the very early settlers came from
the CANARY ISLANDS by way of CUBA. Before the Diocese of New Orleans was created the
area was under the Diocese of Havana, Cuba. We have the flags of both the CANARY
ISLANDS and CUBA.
Very early on GREAT BRITAIN bought slaves from THE CONGO. Many were sold in this
area.The first constitution of LOUISIANA forbade the importation of slaves from foreign
countries. Still, the number of slaves increased dramatically. Mainly because slaves were
imported from HAITI which for some reason was not considered foreign. Many Free Persons
of Color had migrated to Louisiana from HAITI.
Many of our earliest pastors were from BELGIUM. Many early settlers came from GERMANY.
They setlled along the "German Coast" (around Des Allemands). Eventually some of them
found their way to our area. Another group of early settlers were from IRELAND. Irish names
appear in our records as early as 1854. A large group settled in Irish Bend. In early 1861
Louisiana seceded from the United States. At first they did not join the CONFEDERATE
STATES OF AMERICA. Eventually they joined the Confederacy. Within a short time this area
came under Union control.
After the Civil War the area quickly saw immigrants from ITALY, POLAND, SWITZERLAND,
LEBANON. HUNGARY. PORTUGAL Persons from each of those nations appear in our
baptismal and other sacramental records. The second longest sitting pastor was Father J.
Otto Jud, from Switzerland.
After the VIETNAM War many exiles from VIETNAM moved into our area and are still present.
To email bill crumley
TO CONTINUE
To return to home page
Other information on Charenton history may be obtained at
CHARENTON HERITAGE MUSEUM
3041 CHITIMACHA TRAIL
Charenton, Louisiana 70523
337-923-4281 or 337-923-4649
OR by CHARENTON HERITAGE
As you approach Charenton from Louisiana highway 87 and cross the Bayou Teche Bridge
you will see a lovely display of flags. These 25 flags tell the story of our area. Before anyone
else was here the Chitimacha Nation settled here. We honor that presence with the
CHITIMACHA flag. There were missionaries and settlers from SPAIN. Some of the
Chitimacha were taken as prisoners back to SPAIN. One of the early families was the
Rodriquez family. One member of the family was a member of the Spanish infantry. Another
early family in Charenton was the Marcotte family. They were originally from France but came
here after living some time in Montreal, CANADA. The Acadians were exiled and eventually
also migrated here from ACADIA.In recent years they have developed an ACADIAN FLAG.
John Law came to the area to exploit it. He was from SCOTLAND even though he came
under the protection and with the financial backing of the King of FRANCE. Later persons
from Scotland came into this area to harvest the timber. We note each presence with the
flags of SCOTLAND and FRANCE.
For several years the British flag flew over much of this area. Before the local church was
founded, The UNITED STATES purchased Louisiana from France.
Among the earliest white explorers and settlers there were always Catholic missionaries.
This presence is symbolized by the VATICAN flag. Some of the very early settlers came from
the CANARY ISLANDS by way of CUBA. Before the Diocese of New Orleans was created the
area was under the Diocese of Havana, Cuba. We have the flags of both the CANARY
ISLANDS and CUBA.
Very early on GREAT BRITAIN bought slaves from THE CONGO. Many were sold in this
area.The first constitution of LOUISIANA forbade the importation of slaves from foreign
countries. Still, the number of slaves increased dramatically. Mainly because slaves were
imported from HAITI which for some reason was not considered foreign. Many Free Persons
of Color had migrated to Louisiana from HAITI.
Many of our earliest pastors were from BELGIUM. Many early settlers came from GERMANY.
They setlled along the "German Coast" (around Des Allemands). Eventually some of them
found their way to our area. Another group of early settlers were from IRELAND. Irish names
appear in our records as early as 1854. A large group settled in Irish Bend. In early 1861
Louisiana seceded from the United States. At first they did not join the CONFEDERATE
STATES OF AMERICA. Eventually they joined the Confederacy. Within a short time this area
came under Union control.
After the Civil War the area quickly saw immigrants from ITALY, POLAND, SWITZERLAND,
LEBANON. HUNGARY. PORTUGAL Persons from each of those nations appear in our
baptismal and other sacramental records. The second longest sitting pastor was Father J.
Otto Jud, from Switzerland.
After the VIETNAM War many exiles from VIETNAM moved into our area and are still present.
To email bill crumley
TO CONTINUE
To return to home page
Other information on Charenton history may be obtained at
CHARENTON HERITAGE MUSEUM
3041 CHITIMACHA TRAIL
Charenton, Louisiana 70523
337-923-4281 or 337-923-4649
OR by CHARENTON HERITAGE
