St. Paschal Catholic Church

              BEGINNING of the Parish of St. Paschal

  His Excellency, Bishop Desmond, prior to arrival of the Franciscans, had procured a large piece of property on North Seventh Street in West Monroe to be used for parish purposes.  The property was about one block square.  An early and constant benefactor of the West Monroe parish, Mr. Thomas H. McMillan, quietly purchased this property in his name and later sold it to the Bishop.  The first piece of property was in reality one-half of a two block area; it seemed desirable to get it in its entirety for the future needs of the parish.  After the Fathers came, efforts were made immediately to acquire the second half of this tract.  Six lots of the desired second half were donated by a generous citizen of Monroe, Mr. John Spatafora.   When Mr. Spatafora was approached for this donation on the feast of the Assumption August 15, 1940, he heartily consented with the words:  “I give to Jesus Christ six lots.” 

Front View of 1st Church

 

    


   Dedication of 1st Church