History of St. Theodore Catholic Church

 November 9th is the Solemn Feast of St. Theodore of Amasea, our parish’s patron saint. A very brief history of our parish (with sincere apologies in advance for names and details that may be omitted): In the late 19th century, the Theriot and Champagne families settled in Moss Bluff. After WW II, Moss Bluff began to grow, and Mrs. Nettie Guidry donated five acres and sold five more for a future mission chapel of Immaculate Conception. Frs. Clifford Gaudin, Wayne Richard, Theodore Hassink and Curtis Vidrine began teaching CCD.  In residence at Immaculate Conception, they also cared for St. Hubert Mission in North Lake Charles (est. 1940). In 1952, St. Hubert became a Parish, which included Moss Bluff. CCD classes were moved to St. Hubert. Pastors included Fr. Vidrine and then, in 1960, Fr. Henry van Boxel, who built a mission chapel here. In 1967, Fr. Theodore Hassink succeeded Fr. van Boxel as pastor. The chapel was dedicated the next year which we now refer to as the Enrichment Building.

            On July 1, 1974, St. Theodore became a parish with Fr. Theodore Hassink serving as first pastor. In 1978, Msgr. Joseph Bourque succeeded Fr. Hassink and Deacon Jack Reynolds was assigned to the parish.  The next year, Mrs. Lovica Hebert (Msgr.’s sister), opened a nursery. In 1980, Deacon Roy Melancon came to the parish until his retirement in 1987. In 1981, Holy Family Catholic School was opened with kindergarten. Peggy Guillory served as the first Principal and kindergarten teacher for Holy Family.  In 5 years, 1^st-5^th grade were added. Groundbreaking for the new church was held on March 24, 1981 and was dedicated by Bishop Speyrer on February 11, 1982. He also dedicated the new school building in 1985.

            Fr. Milton Miller became the 3^rd pastor in 1985.  Fr. Herbert May assisted from 1988-89, followed by Fr. James Doyle in 1989 who remained in the parish until his death in 2012. Rev. Doyle’s Place is named in his memory. Fr. Aubrey Guilbeau was in residence from 1989-1991 while he worked full time at the Diocese. Msgr. Louis Melancon became 4^th pastor in 1991.  Fr. Wayne Lebleu, ordained in 1995, served our parish as his first assignment. Msgr. Melancon was succeeded in 1997 by Monsignor Charles Dubois as 5^th pastor. In July of that year, Fr. T.L. Herlong, SJ, came to the parish. During Msgr. Dubois’ tenure, the mission of St. Pius X was placed under the care of St. Theodore parish (until 2014 when it became its own parish with Fr. Tim Goodly as founding pastor.) Then in 2001, Deacon Glenn Harmon was ordained and assigned to us. In 2002, Father Charles McMillin joined the staff for a year.

            Msgr. Dubois oversaw the construction in 1999 of a new Activity Center and Learning Center, which were dedicated in 2000. These buildings added precious needed space for parish, CCD, and school activities.  HolyFamily Catholic School provided excellent Catholic education for 39 years but sadly closed in 2020 due to declining enrollment.

            In 2014, after 17 years as pastor of St. Theodore and 50 years of priesthood, Msgr. Dubois retired. Fr. John Huckaby was named 6^th pastor with the assistance of Fr. Scott DesOrmeaux.  Deacon Leo Hebert was assigned to St. Theodore in August 2014, and Fr. Joby Mathew, HGN, replaced Fr. DesOrmeaux for one year until he was named Chaplain for the Diocesan Senior Care Centers and Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Lake Charles.

            Fr. Albert Borel came in 2016 as an assistant and served until 2020 when he retired.  Fr. Aubrey Guilbeau was assigned as Pastor in 2017 and Fr. Andy DeRouen was assigned as assistant in 2020.

            St. Theodore Catholic Church is one of the largest and fastest-growing parishes in the Diocese of Lake Charles, growing from 800 families in 1980 to over 1,700 today serving our parishioners with over 50 ministries. May God continue to bless abundantly the mission and ministry of St. Theodore Catholic Church!