23 Jul 2018

Holy Ghost Catholic Church

2022-02-23T10:29:50-06:00

The Holy Ghost Parish was founded in 1920 in Opelousas, Louisiana at the request of a group of parishioners of the St. Landry Catholic Church and the efforts of Rt. Rev. Canon A. B. Colliard. Prior to desegregation, St. Landry Church’s black parishioners were sectioned off from the rest of the congregation. With the assistance of the Holy Ghost Fathers and a desire to have a place of worship where the African American community felt they could belong, the new Parish was created. Initially, masses were held at the Holy Ghost School, but soon thereafter a church was built.

Today, the church boasts one of the largest Catholic congregations of African Americans in the US. Visitors are often struck with admiration at the sight of the church’s collection of religious art depicting African Americans. The artist responsible for these powerful images is a local master painter, Donald Lee “Aldox” Alexander. Alexander has done outstanding work for the African American community both in his home state and outside of Louisiana.

Another special treat is the Holy Ghost Catholic Church Gospel Choir. The gospel choirs sing every Sunday during the 11am Mass. For group tours, please make an appointment with Deacon Richard.

During the first weekend of November, the church celebrates its Creole heritage with a three-day event, The Holy Ghost Creole Festival Bazaar. The festival features a special gospel concert Friday night, live music and dancing Saturday and Sunday, and Creole dishes all weekend long!

  • 747 North Union Street, Opelousas, Louisiana 70570

  • Free admission

  • Group tours by appointment only

  • Bus parking available

  • 337-942-2732

  • secretary@hgcatholic.org

Holy Ghost Catholic Church2022-02-23T10:29:50-06:00
23 Jul 2018

Historic Michel Prudhomme Home

2022-04-29T10:14:07-05:00

The Michel Prudhomme Home is believed to be the oldest structure in St. Landry Parish and is located in Opelousas. It is a French Colonial house built in the late 1700s by Michel Prudhomme. Prudhomme was an important public figure in the area and even donated the land to build St. Landry Catholic Church, one of the parish’s oldest Catholic churches. Today, the home is available for tours and is owned by the Preservationists of St. Landry, Inc. Their historians will tell captivating stories of what took place in the home during the Civil War. In fact, it was used as the Union headquarters when Opelousas was occupied.

This attraction is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also open for meetings, receptions, reunions, and other private events.

  • By appointment.

  • 1152 Prudhomme Circle, Opelousas, Louisiana 70570

  • 337-942-8011

Historic Michel Prudhomme Home2022-04-29T10:14:07-05:00
23 Jul 2018

Creole Heritage Folklife Center

2021-03-12T09:53:04-06:00

The Creole Heritage Folklife Center in Opelousas offers the public an opportunity to relive traditions of the African-American community with folklorist, Rebecca Henry. Henry is a native to St. Landry Parish and offers educational programs and events that focus on Creole heritage. Learn about the use of herbs and folk medicine, everyday tools, home-life, and folk art. In the gift shop, find handsewn quilts, homemade soaps and potpourri, preserves, handcrafted dolls, and artwork. Guided tours are offered weekly and by appointment. The Creole Heritage Folklife Center is included on the Louisiana African-American Heritage Trail.

Wait, what is Creole? According to Creole Heritage Inc. founder, Rebecca Henry, “‘Creole is family, culture, heritage, and tradition which embodies all that connects the inner and outer families with their ancestral past, not a racial confusion.”

Ici on parle français. French is spoken here.

  • Tuesday-Friday 12pm-4pm | Saturday 1pm-4pm | Sunday by appointment

  • 1113 West Vine Street, Opelousas, Louisiana 70570

  • Adults $8, Seniors $7 (64+), Children (12 and under) $5

  • Guided tours offered weekly and by appointment.

  • 337-945-5064

Creole Heritage Folklife Center2021-03-12T09:53:04-06:00
23 Jul 2018

Church of St. Charles Borromeo

2022-02-22T16:01:57-06:00

This magnificent, predominately wooden structure designed by New Orleans architect, James Freret, is architecturally the finest gem in the Grand Coteau crown. Following the approval of the plans by Pope Pius IX, the first cornerstone of the Church of St. Charles Borromeo was blessed and placed on March 19, 1879. The rear belfry was a significant addition to the church in 1886. Its second empire style with a mansard roof is rare and possibly unique among churches in the United States. It houses a 3,104-pound bell, still rung today. The church has a superb collection of religious art, paintings, and statues.

For a guided tour, contact the church to schedule an appointment with Bonnie Barry. Bonnie is a local historian, photographer, and author of the book, For the Greater Honor & Glory of God. Most fascinating is her knowledge of the church’s thirty-two original paintings, including the fourteen Mysteries of the Rosary, and the artist responsible for several pieces, Mr. Erasmus Humbrecht. Guided tours of the church and cemetery are also offered every October during the Sweet Dough Pie Festival!

Church of St. Charles Borromeo2022-02-22T16:01:57-06:00
23 Jul 2018

Cajun Prairie Habitat Restoration Site

2022-02-17T16:00:42-06:00

The Cajun Prairie Habitat is a beautiful 10-acre living exhibit of Louisiana native plants, flowers, and grasses in Eunice. This restored prairie is a project of the Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Society (501c3) whose goal is to ensure the survival of prairie flora. Southwest Louisiana’s Cajun Prairie once occupied 2.5 million acres and is now reduced to less than 150 acres of land. In 1988, Society volunteers used local seeds to cultivate the new prairie site and today it is touted as one of the United States’ leading restoration sites with more than 100 flora species.

Visitors can make an appointment to take a guided tour of the habitat or explore on their own, enjoying the paved walking path, covered pavilion, and benches. Every year the Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Society offers a guided tour in the spring and again in the fall during their meetings. The public is welcome to join and meet experts in the field including Dr. Malcolm Vidrine and Dr. Charles Allen, an esteemed author and botanist. These tours also include a special guest speaker and different topics of interest to gardeners.

The Society was named the 2013 Conservation Organization of the Year in the Annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Recognition Program conducted by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation.  

Cajun Prairie Habitat Restoration Site2022-02-17T16:00:42-06:00
23 Jul 2018

Cajun French Music Hall of Fame & Museum

2024-10-21T14:06:38-05:00

Want to learn more about the roots of Cajun music and the early musicians who shaped the genre? Stop by the Cajun French Music Hall of Fame & Museum. Cajun music fans will be excited to see the names of men such Iry Lejeune, Denis Mcgee, or Joe Falcon. Learn more about the first female to ever record Cajun music, singer and guitarist, Cleoma Falcon, and the women who rock the genre today.

The Cajun French Music Hall of Fame is located in Eunice, Louisiana just a short walking distance from the famous Liberty Theatre and the Jean Lafitte National Park Prairie Acadian Culture Center. The museum is supported by the Cajun French Music Association, with the mission to preserve and showcase the history of this region’s unique form of music.

  • Summer: Wednesday-Saturday 8:30am-4:30pm | Winter: Wednesday-Saturday 8:30am-4:30pm

  • 240 South C C Duson Street, Eunice, Louisiana 70535

  • Free Admission

  • 337-457-6534

Cajun French Music Hall of Fame & Museum2024-10-21T14:06:38-05:00
23 Jul 2018

Bayou Teche Brewing

2025-02-28T16:38:57-06:00

Started in a converted old rail car near the banks of the Bayou Teche, Bayou Teche Brewing is crafting innovative ales true to the brewer’s original intent—beers that complement the unique foods and lifestyles of South Louisiana. The brewery offers tours in French and English, and most beers are named in Cajun French in an effort to help preserve and promote the native language.

The brewery is located in Arnaudville, Louisiana and offers beer flights in the tap room with a wide range of choices for even the most particular palate. New to the brewery is Cajun Saucer Pizza. That’s right; the brewery has a brand new pizza oven and is making fresh, hand-tossed pies on site. Each recipe is topped with Cajun cooking favorites such as smoked boudin, tasso, and Cajun-style sausage. There’s plenty of space to dance on the brewery’s “front porch” during a Sunday jam session or on a Saturday with live Cajun or zydeco music. For a full list of events at the brewery, view the calendar at BayouTecheBrewing.com.

You can also rent the brewery for your next party, meeting, wedding, or reunion.

Bayou Teche Brewing2025-02-28T16:38:57-06:00
23 Jul 2018

Acadian to Cajun Mural

2021-06-11T12:47:54-05:00

The Acadian to Cajun Mural depicts the journey of the Acadians, from their exile from Nova Scotia, in the mid-1700s, to their settlement here in south Louisiana. The 20′ by 12′ mural is located in downtown Opelousas, across from the St. Landry Parish Courthouse, and was created by local artist, Jerome Ford. Jerome grew up in the lower ninth ward of New Orleans and moved to Opelousas with his family in 2006. It’s clear that both worlds have inspired his colorful depictions of Louisiana’s people and culture. Today, Jerome teaches art and also creates new works of art as a professional artist. Learn more about the artist at his website JFordArt.com.

Acadian to Cajun Mural2021-06-11T12:47:54-05:00
23 Jul 2018

Academy of the Sacred Heart

2022-08-22T12:04:21-05:00

Visit the site of a Vatican-recognized miracle and the second-oldest school in the United States west of the Mississippi River. Set on 225 picturesque acres in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, the Academy of the Sacred Heart has provided quality Catholic education to girls for two centuries. Founded in 1821, under the direction of Saint Philippine Duchesne, the Academy has remained in continuous operation through fire, epidemic, and war. Unearth these stories from the past while visiting the Academy’s museum and cemetery. Also, discover the institution’s history as a “colored school” for former enslaved persons, dedicated to transitioning students to freedom and self-sufficiency. Beyond the beautiful formal gardens and alley of oaks lies a fascinating history waiting to be told.

When you tour the Academy, you’ll visit Le Petit Musée, a museum dedicated to the history of the school, the Shrine of St. John Berchmans, where novice Mary Wilson was miraculously healed by then Blessed John Berchmans, and the extensive gardens and grounds. In continuous operation for 200 years, the Academy educates girls from one year old to 12th grade. In 2006, it was joined by a brother school, Berchmans Academy. The two schools, founded upon the mission and charism of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat and the Society of the Sacred Heart, seek to educate their students to be individuals of faith, intellect, service, and justice.

Academy of the Sacred Heart2022-08-22T12:04:21-05:00
20 Jul 2018

Petite Rouge Antiques, Estate Sales, & Organics

2022-04-01T14:30:26-05:00

Petite Rouge Antiques & Organics is an established antique shop and estate sale service in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. For over fifteen years, Connie St. Romain has been collecting and selling vintage items including furniture, jewelry, and glassware. The shop also carries essential oils, soaps, teas, apothecaries of historic uses, and herbal infused local honey.

The shop is an antique itself! This historic landmark is a classic Acadian cottage complete with stairs on the front gallery leading to the garçonniére on the second floor. The house may have been moved to its present site and it might only be half of it. In the past, it was not uncommon to settle an estate by dividing the house as well as the land.

For more information about the retail shop or their estate sales visit, PetiteRougeAntiques.com.

Petite Rouge Antiques, Estate Sales, & Organics2022-04-01T14:30:26-05:00
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