• Founded in 1781 with the settlement of Nuevo Iberia, established by Spanish Governor Bernardo de Gálvez and Canary Island settlers.

• Early Catholics relied on monthly visiting priests from St. Martinville, traveling by horseback.

• Christianity took root among frontier settlers and the Attakapas Indian region.

• Growth accelerated with the arrival of French refugees, Acadians, and Americans after the Louisiana Purchase.

First Church & Early Leadership

• Land for the first church was donated by the Frederick Duperier family, with the condition that it remain visible from their home.

• The first St. Peter’s Church was a wooden colonial-style structure, built using locally made brick.

• Fr. Charles Boutelou de St. Aubin became the first administrator in 1838.

  • Performed the first baptism (June 6, 1838) and first marriage (July 30, 1838).

• Early ministry included catechesis for French-, Irish-, and African-descended parishioners.

• The parish survived anticlerical unrest, trustee revolts, and political turmoil.

• Fr. Julien Pierre Priour (1840–1849):

  • Courageously defended Church authority during unrest.

  • Founded the parish’s first societies, including the Confraternity of the Holy Scapular (oldest parish society).

• Yellow fever epidemics devastated the area in the 1860s; priests ministered tirelessly to the sick and dying.

• Catholic education began with the opening of Mt. Carmel Academy (1870) by the Sisters of Mt. Carmel.

• Fr. Claude Jacquet (1875–1890) led major expansion:

  • Built a new rectory.

  • Established Holy Cross School for boys.

  • Oversaw construction of a larger Victorian Gothic church, completed in 1889.

• The second church became a beloved spiritual center for generations of parishioners.

• 1894: St. Peter’s Parish was legally incorporated as
  “The Congregation of St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, Inc.”

• Parish property officially transferred from the Archdiocese to the parish in 1896.

• Fr. Jean Marie Langlois (1908–1947) served 39 years, the longest tenure in parish history.

• Key accomplishments:

  • Founded St. Peter’s College (forerunner of Catholic High).

  • Established new parishes and chapels.

  • Strengthened Catholic societies and charitable works.

• A 2,100-pound bell installed in 1909 still rings today.

• St. Peter’s became known as one of the best-organized parishes in Southwest Louisiana.

• Msgr. Albert J. Bacque led the construction of the current church, completed debt-free.

• Designed in French Renaissance style, seating 1,200.

• Features:

  • Twin towers rising 90 feet

  • Botticino marble altar

  • Stained glass Stations of the Cross

• Dedicated June 29, 1953, on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

• Fr. Warren J. Boudreaux (1954–1971):

  • Established new parishes, schools, and catechetical halls.

  • Introduced parish bulletin “The Voice.”

  • Implemented Vatican II liturgical reforms.

  • Later became Bishop of Beaumont.

• Remembered for pastoral warmth, music, poetry, and leadership.

• Msgr. John Henry Disch (1973–1988) became the first native New Iberian pastor in parish history.

• Major contributions:

  • Renovations to church interior and exterior.

  • Expanded parking and catechetical facilities.

  • Established the Disch-DeClouet Social Service Center.

  • Strengthened adult faith formation and RCIA.

• Emphasized that “the strength of the Church lies in its lay people.”

• Msgr. Joseph Guy Lemoine served as Co-Pastor beginning in 1983.

• Expanded:

  • Adult Bible studies and renewal programs.

  • Evangelization Ministry.

  • Strong music and choir programs.

• Parish life flourished through collaboration between clergy and laity.

• Fr. Charles Langlois (appointed 2001):

  • Led major improvements including a new organ, window replacement, and the Msgr. Disch Perpetual Adoration Chapel.

• Fr. William Blanda became pastor in 2014.