A newspaper article published in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Diocese of Alexandria identified the Oil City church to have been a mission of the Jesuits.
Dedication of the church building was held 19-Nov-1916, with Archbishop Cornelius Van de Ven of Alexandria presiding. A northern lady donated $500 through the Catholic Church Extension Society in honor of her son, Michael John, and in turn the church was named St. John the Baptist.
Alexandria Town Talk 11-Nov-1916, Page 5
Below is a photo of Archbishop Van de Ven from 1932.
Alexandria Town Talk 14-May-1932, Page 3
The event drew attendees from Shreveport, many who took the train, such as C. W. Adams and family, noted below.
Alexandria Town Talk 11-Nov-1916, Page 5
Below is a photo of Archbishop Van de Ven from 1932.
Alexandria Town Talk 14-May-1932, Page 3
The event drew attendees from Shreveport, many who took the train, such as C. W. Adams and family, noted below.
Shreveport Times 20-Nov-1916, Page 7
The undated photos below are from approximately the time of the church opening.
Source: Barbara Thomas-Pourteau
1920
Members of the church hold a bazaar to raise money to address church debt.
Shreveport Times 18-Jun-1920, Page 4
Below is a recap of bazaar activities, plus identification of 34 individuals recently confirmed. Also of note is mention of a 430 lb. church bell donated by the Shreveport Knights of Columbus.
Shreveport Times 06-Jul-1920, Page 4
A "box party" was held later in 1920 to raise funds to cover expenses for recent improvements to the church. Some of the attendees were originally immigrants from heavily Catholic countries, including brothers Patrick and Thomas Moran (Ireland) and Alex Pourteau (France). J. A. Gourrier was a superintendent for the Texas Company (Texaco). Other prominent citizens included Dr. John E. Rooks, oilman Thomas Ward, and businessmen John and Thomas Zagst.
Shreveport Times 03-Oct-1920, Page 28
1922
Oil City listed as a Jesuit mission.
The Official Catholic Directory - 1922, Page 213
1927
It was reported that Father Andre J. De Monsabert of Shreveport held services in Oil City twice monthly.
Shreveport Times 27-Oct-1927, Page D-9
1930 New Orleans State 12-Dec-1930, Page 11
He was principal of St. John's School For Boys, later known as Jesuit High School; and now Loyola Preparatory Academy.
Shreveport Times 06-Sep-1926, Page 9
1928
Francis (X.) Dougherty replaced Father de Monsabert on the St. John's faculty, as the latter assumed a position on the Loyola University faculty in New Orleans.
Shreveport Times 27-Jul-1928, Page 11
In November, American Legion Post No. 138 held a community-wide devotional/patriotic service in which he participated; along with other pastors C. W. Lahey, J. H. Dean, and W. C. Yancey of the Methodist, Baptist, and Christian Churches respectively.
Shreveport Times 11-Nov-1928, Page 8
Father Dougherty did not stay in the area long, for by 1930, he was serving as a professor at Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL.
1938
An article about a Jewish convert to Christianity speaking in nearby Vivian identified Colin B. Chisholm as Oil City pastor.
Shreveport Times 19-Jan-1938, Page 7
Shown below, Colin Benedict Chisholm is shown in his 1922 U. S. passport photo.
He too came from the St. John's School faculty.
New Orleans States 28-Jul-1938, Page 6
To be continued.........
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