St. Mary’s Academy on the hill in downtown Natchitoches, early 1900’s.
OUR HISTORY
Our Mission Rooted in Over 135 Years of Catholic Education
Since 1888, St. Mary’s Catholic School, a ministry of The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, has been forming young people in Natchitoches to know, love, and live the Catholic faith. Building on earlier decades of Catholic education in the area, generations of sisters, pastors, families, and benefactors have shaped a community where faith, learning, and service go hand in hand. Our story is one of perseverance, collaboration, and deep love for Catholic education. This heritage continues to shape who we are and how we serve families today.
St. Mary’s at a Glance
Founded: Catholic education in Natchitoches since 1888
Heritage: Rooted in the mission of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, Sisters of Mercy, and Sisters of Divine Providence
Parish Connection: A vital ministry of The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, one of several Catholic parishes serving the Natchitoches area.
Campus: Current school dedicated on May 13, 1967 on our east Natchitoches campus
Grade Levels: Pre K - 12th grades
Mission: “Founded on Catholic values and committed to excellence, we are dedicated to forming the whole child to know, love and live the faith.”
Before 1888: Early Catholic Education in Natchitoches
In May of 1847, Bishop Blanc invited the Sisters of the Sacred Heart to Natchitoches to open a school. The Bullard Mansion—whose three columns are now the symbol for Northwestern State University—was purchased for use as a convent. In May of 1848, the Sisters bought a house adjoining the property and established a day school.
In 1850, the Sisters purchased a two‑story house at the location of the old St. Mary’s on the hill on Rue Touline. That same year, ninety children attended school at St. Mary’s. The Sacred Heart sisters remained in Natchitoches until 1876 and were replaced by the Sisters of Mercy, who served here until 1879.
The Archdiocese of New Orleans was created in 1850. In 1853, Natchitoches became a Diocese and the church’s name was changed to St. Mary’s. The first bishop of Natchitoches was Father Augustus Martin, consecrated on November 30, 1853 and installed on December 11, 1853.
At that time, there were six parishes in the Natchitoches Diocese, one school, 25,000 Catholics, 22,000 square miles, and four priests to serve the entire area. In 1855, a seminary was built in Natchitoches and used until 1878. This building is used today as the Bishop Martin Museum.
These early decades laid the groundwork for what would officially become St. Mary’s in 1888.
1888–1907: The Founding and Expansion of St. Mary’s
In 1888, Mother General M. Florence sent five Sisters of Divine Providence to Natchitoches, where they arrived on August 29, 1888. Three of the sisters taught at what became known as St. Mary’s Academy and the other two at St. Francis, a school established by Bishop Durier for people of color. The arrival of the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1888 marks the founding of the St. Mary’s school community as we know it today.
St. Mary’s Academy was housed in the former Placide Bossier House, previously used by the Sacred Heart Order and located on a hill between Rue Touline and Rue Church. In 1896, a new convent—a wooden, two‑story house with galleries on two sides—was constructed. The first floor included a chapel and apartments for the sisters and boarders, while the second floor was used as the girls’ school and auditorium. The boys’ school was established in the former St. Joseph College building, which originally had been the Placide Bossier House.
By 1907, the student population at St. Mary’s Academy had increased to 185 students, including nine boarders and seventy‑six students of Black or mixed race. The students were taught by nine sisters. In 1907, a two‑story brick-veneer building was constructed on the school grounds. A story on the building’s dedication was included in The Family Circular, a journal written by a member of the Order and shared across its educational institutions.
1948–1967: New Campuses and Growing Needs
In 1948, St. Mary’s High School was moved to the former Natchitoches High School on Rue Third, while St. Mary’s Academy—serving the grade school and junior high—remained in its original buildings. By 1963, the facilities at both locations were overcrowded and deteriorating.
In response, Father Donald Damieus, under the administration of Father Stanley J. DeKeuer, proposed the establishment of a new school building to better serve the growing Catholic community.
1967–1971: Our Current Campus
Judge R.B. and Ora Williams, in memory of Eliza Payne Williams, donated 8.9 acres in east Natchitoches to construct a new school. The Charles Maggio family, in memory of Mrs. Carmelite Maggio, donated 1.5 acres to the church parish and sold an additional 6.4 acres.
In 1967, the new school was erected, and on May 13, 1967, the building was dedicated by Bishop Charles P. Greco. The Sisters of Divine Providence continued teaching at St. Mary’s until 1971, when they returned to San Antonio.
Our Heritage Today
From those first classes taught by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1888 to the students who walk our halls today, St. Mary’s has remained faithful to its purpose:
“Founded on Catholic values and committed to excellence, we are dedicated to forming the whole child to know, love and live the faith.”
Our history is not just something we remember; it is a living tradition that continues in every classroom, liturgy, and act of service at St. Mary’s Catholic School. United in our mission and rooted in our Catholic faith, we strive each day to live the promise at the heart of our school crest: Beaucoup Mais Un Seul — Many But One.