Our Story

The missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate served the people of Immaculate Conception Parish for more than sixty years.  In the summer of 1983, the Oblate Fathers were called to other pastoral field,s and the parish was then entrusted to the care of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was established as a parish on September 11, 1960 when Fr. Joseph Ryan was appointed as its first official pastor.  Some months earlier, the Most Reverend Joseph F. Rummell (Archbishop of New Orleans) had observed that there were some 300 families dependent on the mission church in Denham Springs.  Today the parish numbers more than 4000 families living in an area covering about 275 square miles served by diocesan priests.

It is a long way from the small beginnings in the early 1900’s when diocesan priests from Baton Rouge would travel once a month by railroad chapel car to minister to some twelve Catholic families.  It was one of these priests, Reverend Arthur Drossaerts (later Archbishop of San Antonio) who in 1916 initiated the construction of the first Catholic Church in Denham Springs.  In 1920, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) were given the care of the whole of Livingston Parish, and the Catholic community in Denham Springs became a mission attached to Saint Margaret Parish (Albany).  Still a mission in the late 1950’s, Immaculate Conception had grown to the point that a resident priest cared for its members.

Today under the guidance of Fr. Matthew Graham, Pastor, Immaculate Conception Church is a community of more than 4,000 families and has been blessed abundantly by God.  We are grateful.  We ask the Lord to deepen our spirit of faith, to build us into a community of loving and compassionate people who reach out to share the good news with the whole world.

Historic Time Line
of Immaculate Conception Parish and Mission of the Sacred Heart

1916     First Catholic Church in Livingston Parish is established under the care of Father Drossaerts.
1916     Mission of the Sacred Heart is built, Livingston, LA.
1920     Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Father Gagon, O.M.I., assigned to the Livingston area.
1920's  Mission of the Sacred Heart becomes affiliated with St. Margaret at Albany.
1930's  Church building in Denham Springs is lengthened by Father Allphonse Jalbert, O.M.I.
1959     Father John Sauvageaux, O.M.I., enlarges church by adding wings; (fire destroys one wing).

1960   Immaculate Conception Parish is established with Father Joseph Ryan, O.M.I., as the first pastor.
            Mission of the Sacred Heart, Livingston, becomes affiliated with ICC.

1962     Father John Ward, O.M.I., establishes the C.C.D. program and the first parish lay council.
1964     Present site of the Church is purchased.
1967     The catechetical building, convent, and rectory are built on the present site.
1972     The old church building on River Road is sold. Building fund for the new church is begun.
1976     Present church is built and dedicated.
1980     ICC - MSH reaches over 1,300 registered Catholic families.
1983     Father Patrick J. Mascarella becomes the first Diocesan Pastor.
1987     Father Robert G. Marcel assumes role as Pastor of Immaculate Conception.
1994     Father Cleo J. Milano assumes role as Pastor of Immaculate Conception.
2002     Father Vincent J. Dufresne assumes role as Pastor of Immaculate Conception.
2003     ICC - MSH reaches over 3,000 registered Catholic families.
2009     Father Frank M. Uter assumes role as Pastor of Immaculate Conception.
2010     Immaculate Conception celebrates 50th anniversary as a parish.
2015     ICC - MSH reaches over 4,000 registered Catholic families
2019     100th Anniverary of the Oblates.
2020     Father Matthew J. Graham assumes role as Pastor of Immaculate Conception.