In 1924, Saint Katherine Drexel, foundress of the Blessed Sacrament Sisters, at the request of Bishop Jeanmard of Lafayette, opened a three-room school for black children of the Carencro area. Mr. Sosthene Arceneaux, a local farmer and parishioner, donated the property. The school opened with 75 boys and 100 girls, and Saint Drexel paid the salaries of the three lay teachers.
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A second school was opened in Prairie Basse in 1926, St. Elizabeth’s. Two hundred and fifty children were taught in the two schools. The Arceneaux School closed in 1936 and the buildings were added to the Assumption School. St. Elizabeth’s closed in 1955 and was added to the Assumption Rectory. By now, three lay teachers taught the children in all grades at the Assumption School.
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In 1948, at the request of Fr. Andrew Sheridan, St. Drexel sent three more sisters to teach 230 children at the school. A convent was then built for the sisters. Parents and pupils spoke mostly French during this time. Enrollment increased to 300, as the only other schools were St. Paul’s and Paul Breaux in Lafayette. In 1951, a fourth sister was added to the facility. In 1951, Catharine Eaglin, one the first pupils at Assumption School, entered the Sisters of the holy Family in New Orleans. The Cankton J. Leonville schools were also merged here.
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The parish was incorporated in November of 1926 under the name “The Congregation of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church.’ Fr. Joseph Dolan, founding pastor, put together a wooden church seating 450 for a congregation of 600 people, and also a bungalow rectory . The rectory burned down in 1929, and a new one was built which currently is the rectory.
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Fr. Francis Smith in 1934, built a hall and school combination. There were no conversions reported as the entire population was Catholic. In 1940, Fr. Valetine Frandrey became pastor and died in 1948. During this time, a convent was built for the nuns. In 1948, Fr. Joseph Landry enlarged the school, and the first Sisters arrived to teach. In 1957m Fr. Herbert Fredrick remodeled the church building. Fr. John Yates completed this, who also remodeled the convent and school. Fr. John Walsh was pastor from 1970 – 1974. Fr. Norman Lord (1974-1977) celebrated Assumption’s 50th Gold Anniversary. Fr. Henry Smith (1977-1981) was the last Holy Ghost pastor. Due to lack of personnel, the Sisters withdrew in 1980. 26 sisters had taught at Assumption over the years. From 1935 – 1948, there were five priests as assistant pastors. Eight Spiritan Priest from Germany, Ireland, and the US are buried in Assumption Cemetery, along with Fr. Sheridan.
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Our elderly now tell the stories of the old days. To the children, the priest, and nuns seemed like they came from Heaven. Pews in the church were “bought” weekly for 10 cents. There was the Legion of Mary, the Holy Name Society of the Rosary, long confession lines each week, and a full church for the Stations of the Cross during Lent. There were fairs, rallies, the maypole, and one of the first girls’ basketball teams to compete with Holy Rosary School in Lafayette.
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Fr. Edwin Bourg (1987-1995) put carpet in the church and opened the front parking lot, as well as worked on the rectory and the school. Fr. Paul LaFleur (1995-2002) began to prepare for the Jubilee Year 2000 and the parish’s 75th anniversary. Siding was put on the exterior of the church and the interior was painted. Drexel Parish Hall, the former convent, interior was also renovated. Assumption School began to see work in the interior and exterior as well. Fr. Gregory Simien (2002-2003) had the interior of the church renovated and also renovated the interior of the rectory. Fr. William “Bill” Gearheard (2003-2006) had the Drexel Parish Hall, the Rectory and the School electrical systems rewired. Siding was put on the Rectory and Drexel Parish Hall. Gates were put up to protect our cemetery, and our history property was enclosed with a beautiful traditional style fence. Drexel Parish Hall was also updated with central air and heating. A new professional phone system also found its way into the rectory. Construction was also completed on the St. Katherine Drexel Shrine, and plans for a mausoleum in the Assumption Cemetery was underway in June of 2006, Fr. John G. “Buddy” Breaux was assigned to Assumption Parish. Under his leadership, the front office underwent minor renovations, the offices and conference rooms were wirelessly networked for internet, the main parking lot was asphalted, the offices and living quarters heating and cooling systems were redone for separate control.
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On November 29, 2001, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish was put on the national Register of Historic Places for its contribution to Black Catholic Education in the City of Carencro. Also it was recognized for being the first church in the Carencro area to serve the black congregation which would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of many people and parishioners of Our Lady of the Assumption.