St. Theresa Parish History

St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in Carlyss was established as a church parish in 1971, but the foundation of Catholicism in the area was laid after World Ward II.

   The burgeoning of the petrochemical industry in Calcasieu Parish led to the steady population growth in the Sulphur-Westlake area, and the area south of Sulphur proved to be attractive to many of the new families.

   The Rev. Denis Monahan, MS, the pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Parish at that time, decided that the area south of Sulphur was in need of attention from the church, and decided to seek the establishment of a mission in the area.

   He assigned the task of establishing such a mission to one of his young assistants, the Rev. Raymond Rocheleau, MS. This young and energetic priest visited the inhabitants of the area, awakening their enthusiasm. Mrs. Raymond Vincent made a gift of $7,500. Other families in the area contributed according to their means.

  In 1957 two acres of land, plus a house, the home of Herman Ellender, on Carlyss Drive, a country road parallel to the Hackberry Highway, were purchased for $12,500.

   A mission chapel, 35 feet by 80 feet, was built on the property by local carpenters. The altar was built by Tanis Daigle, a local supporter of the mission, while pews and other furnishings were donated by other church parishes.

   The chapel was dedicated to St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, a French religious sister, and the first Mass was celebrated on Oct. 28, 1958, by the Rev. Alan McGuirk, MS, who was an associate pastor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Parish at the time.

  Old buildings were transformed into other facilities. A tool and feed shed became a CCD classroom.

   The Rev. Theodore Brandley, MS was the next assistant pastor in Sulphur to be placed in charge of the mission.

   Father Brandley recruited a capable team of laymen to assist him in the development and maintenance of mission properties, and the development of spiritual and educational programs.

   Construction of a large mission hall was launched in 1969. In 1970 Father Brandley was transferred to Grand Isle, and the Rev. John C. McDonald was placed in charge of the mission.

   As the Carlyss area continued to grow, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus became a canonical parish of the Diocese of Lafayette on August 22, 1971, by the decree of Bishop Maurice Schexnayder, with Father McDonald as the founding pastor. Carl Drost and Overy J. Hernandez were the parish's lay trustees.

   In January of 1975 Father McDonald was transferred to Houston, to be followed by the Rev. David Hennessey, MS, as pastor at Carlyss. Father Hennessey retired in 1979, and was succeeded by the Rev. Justin A. Dolan, MS.

   At that time, Carlyss CCD students were taught in Sulphur at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Parish. Father Dolan, however, began a kindergarten in Carlyss.

   Father Dolan's health, never robust, continued to fail and he passed away on Nov. 20, 1981.

   He was succeeded by the Rev. Normand F. Mailloux, MS. The Rev. Henry F. McKay became pastor in 1986. He was followed by the Rev. James Droney, MS, and the Rev. Francis A. Fitzsimmons, MS, the current pastor.

   St. Theresa Parish continues to prosper in a growing area, with a beautiful church, excellent facilities, and dedicated congregation.

(This history was written by Truman Stacey of and for the Diocese of Lake Charles for the Jubilee Year 2000.)

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