Old St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Hwy 73, was constructed by Acadian refugees
who settled in St. Gabriel, near the Mississippi River banks in the 1770s.
It is listed on the National Historic Register and is known to be the oldest
wooden church in the entire of the length of the Mississippi Valley from Canada
to the Gulf of Mexico. Although the church is under the watchful eye of the
Old St. Gabriel Church Commission, it is in need of foundation work, restoration
of stenciling in its interior, and does not have a sprinkler system, says Eugene
LeBlanc, nominator. The church, constructed in Classical Revival architectural
style, was completed in 1776. The building was modified from 1850-1870. Photography by Julie & Mark Rankin. Special thanks to Clifford Norman for taking the time to meet us out at the church and showing us around the grounds. The church is truly and amazing structure.
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