| 03/14/1943 |
Fr. Blasco celebrated the first Mass at Mother of Mercy Mission Chapel. |
| 03/21/1943 |
Msgr. Francis Leo Glassler, Dean of the Baton Rouge Deanery formally dedicates the Mission |
| 08/29/1943 |
A small manual organ is delivered and Miss Rita Wetta (Mrs. Robert Adams) becomes the
organist. |
| 05/08/1945 |
V.E. Day. Interest increases in having a separate parish: average Sunday attendance is up to
over 300 and weekly collections are about $100. |
| 12/03/1946 |
It is decided that approximately 700 families within a 30 sq. mile area will have a parish of their
own. |
| 04/14/1947 |
Six acres of land at the corner of Government and Marquette Streets are obtained from Dr. and
Mrs. J.H. McKay |
| 06/21/1947 |
Archbishop Rummel formally elevates Mother of Mercy Mission to church status and renames it
Our Lady of Mercy. |
| 07/01/1947 |
Fr. Louis E. Marrionneaux becomes the founding pastor. He and an eager band of volunteers
begin plans for the expansion and development of their new parish. |
| 1948 |
An army surplus chapel, which seats 450 is procured, dismantled, moved and rebuilt on the
Marquette Street site; an old locomotive bell is mounted in the steeple. Two other army surplus
buildings become the first rectory and a hall/cafeteria. |
| 08/15/1948 |
Archbishop Rummel dedicates the new church. |
| 06/28/1953 |
Ground breaking ceremony for the first permanent building - a new school. |
| 09/ /1953 |
A temporary school opens with grades 1 through 4. |
| 05/02/1954 |
Msgr. Herman Lohmann, Dean of Baton Rouge Deanery dedicates the school. |
| 11/21/1955 |
The ground breaking ceremony takes place for Phase I of Mercy's second church, a church-school. |
| 09/24/1956 |
The church-school is dedicated by Archbishop Rummel |
| 11/08/1961 |
The Diocese of Baton Rouge is established - Mercy is transferred from the jurisdiction of
Archbishop Rummel to that of the Most Reverend Robert E. Tracy, First Bishop of Baton Rouge. |
| 12/10/1961 |
Four Salesian Sisters arrive from Cuba to begin teaching at the school. |
| 10/11/1962 |
The 2nd Vatican Council is convened; this profoundly impacts the laity and clergy of Our Lady of
Mercy. |
| 03/01/1964 |
Fr. Andrew F. Frey becomes the Second Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy. He launches a two-prong
program to 1) implement Vatican II directives with regard to liturgical ceremonies; as well as
related physical changes in the sanctuary of the church; and 2) continue the projects by his
predecessor. |
| 05/ /1965 |
Our Lady of Mercy School received from Mrs. J.H. McKay the title of her home and property on
Government Street. |
| 05/14/1972 |
Msgr. Andrew Frey announces that Bishop Tracy has given official approval to proceed with
plans for the construction of Mercy's permanent church. |
| 1973 |
Soil borings signal the start of the physical work on the new church complex. |
| 01/ /1975 |
Open house is held at the new rectory and convent. |
| 06/01/1975 |
The new church is formally dedicated by Bishop Joseph V. Sullivan, Second Bishop of Baton
Rouge. |
| 06/08/1975 |
The dedication of the meditation garden takes place. |
| 07/24/1976 |
Lightning strikes the church causing $50,000 in damages. |
| 09/19/1976 |
Church repairs are completed. |
| 02/ /1977 |
Our Lady of Mercy acquires the Cullen property across Marquette Street in front of the church.
With renovations, the house becomes the Parish Hall. |
| 02/11/1982 |
Perpetual Adoration begins at Our Lady of Mercy Parish. |
| 03/07/1982 |
The parish debt is retired. |
| 03/25/1983 |
Bishop Stanley Joseph Ott offers a pre-installation Mass at Our Lady of Mercy on the day of his
installation as Third Bishop of Baton Rouge. |
| 05/ /1983 |
Our Lady of Mercy is consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as Bishop Ott consecrated
the Diocese to her. |
| 09/ /1983 |
Kindergarten and First Grade classes are held in the new Early Childhood Center. |
| 05/05/1984 |
Our Lady of Mercy is again struck by lightning. |
| 09/ /1984 |
Six markers are installed along church property fronting Government Street. The mosaics are
designed and executed by Corinne Smith. |
| 05/15/1987 |
Fr. Michael Moroney becomes the Third Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy. |
| 1988 |
Pastoral Life Committees are formed. |
| 1989 |
"Good News" parish newspaper begins. |
| 12/17/1989 |
The new and expanded administrative building is dedicated by Bishop Stanley J. Ott. |
| 08/ /1991 |
The school completes the expansion of the offices and teacher's workrooms. |
| 02/29/1992 |
The long awaited Parish Activity Center is dedicated by Bishop Ott. |
| 05/ /1992 |
Salesian Sisters withdraw from Our Lady of Mercy School. |
| 09/ /1992 |
Renovation of Convent for pre-school, music and offices. |
| 06/18/1995 |
Dedication of the new Adoration Chapel. |
| 08/ /1996 |
The renovations and expansion of our school is complete. |
| 07/01/2001 |
Fr. Miles D. Walsh, S.T.D. becomes the fourth and current Pastor of Our Lady of
Mercy. |
